Heat Up Your Career Development This Summer

It's been a while since we've posted, but Career Services has been bustling with career-related activities all summer long. Students (and even some of us "adults") often think of summer as a time for rest and relaxation, a chance to take a break from what we've been doing and refresh for the big wind-up to fall.

There's definitely something to be said for that, but summer is also a great time to work on your career development, double down on your job search, or overhaul your resume like you've been meaning to all semester.


Not convinced? Check out this list of five reasons summer is the best time to jump-start your career:

1. Summer internships. If you've wondered how you'll translate your coursework to a real world setting while gaining professional experience, an internship is the solution for you. Internships provide students (and non-students, too!) an opportunity to apply what they've learned in a professional setting, with less of a time commitment than a full-time job and ample opportunities to learn and develop professionally.
   
   While it's a little late in the season to seek an opportunity in a well-established internship program, there are plenty of smaller businesses and organizations who hire interns on a rolling basis. Search on Jobs4Cats for opportunities and check out popular internship sites like internmatch.com and internships.com. Or, call up an organization you're interested in working for and see whether they're taking on interns (this is easier if you're seeking unpaid internships).
2. Resume overhaul. Been meaning to reformat, rewrite or rethink your resume all year? Now is the time to take stock of what you've accomplished over the last year and craft it into a great professional document. Career Services can help!
3. Seasonal work. Scooped ice cream at Ben & Jerry's for the last three summers? Waited tables on the River Walk? Worked as a camp counselor at the local YMCA? Seasonal positions like these are an important element of your career exploration and development. Reflect on positions you've had: Did you like them? Why or why not? Were they challenging?
   
   Use the answers to questions like this to explore the kind of work you might be interested in doing full-time. For example, if you loved your work as a camp counselor but hated helping out with administrative tasks at your mom's small business, you may want to consider a career that deals directly with people.
4. Job search. Away from the crunch of homework, tests and campus activity, summer is the perfect time to search for jobs. Commit to your search by creating an application tracking system (find Career Services' Job Search log here), attending industry networking events (such as association meetings) and organizing all your resumes, cover letters, references, etc. so that you'll be ready to apply at the drop of a hat.
5. Volunteering. Much like the internship, volunteering provides career-relevant (and resume worthy) experience. Call up your favorite charity or nonprofit and see if they need your help. The time you give to help others can help you gain skills and make contacts--and may just be your ticket to full-time employment in the near future.

Why do you think summer is a great time to focus on your career?