Summer’s almost here! 🏖 Whether you are going to relax, work, travel, or learn a new skill, summer is the perfect time to explore enriching activities that you don’t always have time to pursue during the school year. Specifically, there are some things you can do to prepare for your career! 🚀
📃 Polish your résumé: What new jobs, internships, and activities have you had since the last time you updated your résumé? What new skills have you gained that help you stand out? Make sure your résumé is up to date and includes all relevant information. Feel free to use this format to create your résumé. 👋
🤳 Update your LinkedIn (and tidy up your online presence): If you use LinkedIn for networking and/or job search, it’s critical to optimize your profile so recruiters can see who you are as a professional before they meet you. You want the potential employers to see your best self online by building a personal brand on LinkedIn or other platforms and keeping your online presence consistent. Be mindful of what you share and use hashtags discreetly. Here are some helpful tips for setting up a strong LinkedIn profile.
💻 Prepare for graduate school application: Planning to apply for graduate programs? Summer is an ideal time to study for admissions tests, research schools, and draft your personal statements. Don’t forget recommendation letters! You should start reaching out to your professors and/or supervisors now, or contact them at least 3 weeks in advance, because nobody likes last-minute requests. ⏰
🤝 Gain practical work experience: Summer internships, jobs, volunteering, and shadowing provide you with valuable experiences where you can learn and utilize professional skills, and see what it’s like working in the industry of your interest. Your new adventures may get your foot in the door and help you build the connections you need for the next job. Bonus: they make your résumé look good with new accomplishments! 🙌
🌴 Enjoy yourself: It’s important to take time to relax during summer break. Self-care is crucial after an action-packed year of learning for college students to avoid burnout. Do something you love and pace yourself. Everybody can use some time to relax, recharge, and recuperate. 😊
We hope you have a wonderful summer break! Please remember, you are not alone in your career planning journey. The Office of Career Education is here to help you every step of the way! We offer virtual and in-person appointments. You can scheule apointments through Handshake and meet one-on-one with our Career Educators or Career Peer Mentors!
