Who doesn’t love summer break? Summers are great for both relaxing and staying busy. There is a myriad of things you can do during the time in between semesters that will help you grow professionally, therefore, fueling your career.
Here’s a list of 8 things you can do to help you make the most out of your summer break:
Obtain a summer job or internship
Okay, so this one is obvious. Summer jobs and internships are crucial for your career development. They offer you unique experiences, exposure, and networking opportunities. They also help you foster new skills and help you learn about things you don’t talk about in the classroom. Check out Handshake for thousands of summer jobs and internships! You can also contact someone from the Career Development Team on Handshake to help you with your search or for guidance.
Get involved in your community
Summer months are perfect for getting involved in your community and discovering all the different organizations out there. Extra sets of hands are much appreciated by organizations such as food banks, community centers, homeless shelters, or animal shelters. The Office of Pitt Serves can help connect you with community organizations. You can find information about them here.
Invest in new professional wear and get your headshots taken
During the school year, it can be challenging to find sufficient time to go professional wear shopping. Take advantage of this time to go shopping for new clothing so that you don’t have to stress about it later in the year. Thus, you’ll have one less thing to think about before the Fall Career Conference or an interview. For more information about appropriate professional wear, read this Indeed article.
It’s also a perfect time to get professional headshots taken. This can be another item checked off your list. See this article for tips on how to take the perfect headshot.
Update your resume and LinkedIn profile
The summer is a suitable time to update your resume and LinkedIn profile. For instance, you can update your resume with relevant coursework that you have just completed, or update your LinkedIn profile with one of the new headshots you’ve just taken. You can schedule an appointment with your advisor or someone from the Career Development Team to review your resume or LinkedIn profile with you.
Take classes or get certified
The University of Pittsburgh offers numerous classes through Summer Sessions. However, keep in mind that registration for Summer Sessions starts earlier in the year.
Community colleges in your area are also great to attend for summer classes. Before enrolling in any summer course, please make sure you speak with your Academic Advisor about how this will affect your overall academic plan.
If you don’t want the stress of keeping up with an accredited course, LinkedIn Learning is perfect for learning about a new subject. And, it’s free!
Another way to boost your resume is to complete online certifications. For instance, Google offers several certifications, like Project Management or Data Analytics.
Prepare and set goals for next semester
One way to feel less overwhelmed or stressed out during your first few weeks back for the fall semester is to plan ahead.
Create time in August to plan for the Fall semester. This could involve planning what your ideal week would like or creating goals. You can try setting SMART goals (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Timely), which will give you a clearer sense of direction on how to reach your goals. This can also help you develop better planning and goal-setting skills.
Also, remember to buy school supplies, figure out your class schedule, and familiarize yourself with the on-campus resources Pitt offers, like tutoring or the Career Development Office.
Network
You can certainly build your network of connections at a summer job or while volunteering at an organization. Social gatherings with friends and families can be ideal for networking too. Do not be afraid to tell your family and friends what your future career goals are. You never know who can help you! Make sure to exchange contact information and follow up with them as well. It’s good to remember that often it’s about who you know rather than what you know.
Don’t forget to relax!
Relaxation may be the last one on the list, but it’s certainly the most important. Relaxing and taking time to recharge is vital to one’s well-being. It’s quite okay to slow down and rest. So, take time for yourself this summer by spending time with loved ones, partaking in your favorite hobbies, or just sleeping! A period of quality rest can help you be more productive in the long run and help you feel refueled for the semester ahead.
