So it’s finally summertime and the stress of the academic year is over. Why not kick back and devote all your time to the latest video game or lounge the summer away on the beach? It’s precisely because you are free from the rigors of school life that you might now have the time to take some constructive steps to build your career. Here are a few suggestions for taking advantage of some of your free time this summer:
1. Do an internship! You might be surprised that many employers who are not willing to pay a summer employee might be willing to engage an unpaid intern. Normally you can work a part time schedule as an intern around a paid job or other prized activities.
Many of the most prized internships publicized by your career office will be taken at this time of year so you should focus on local companies/organizations and networking with friends of the family and neighbors. For more ideas on how to find an internship check out this site
2. Do some job shadowing. You can spend a few hours observing workers in a field of interest and learn lots about whether that field might be right for you. You can also make valuable contacts for future internships. Ask your family for help in identifying people in target fields. Reach out to college alumni and local professionals.
3. Supplement your mindless beach reading with some research about careers of interest. There are lots of websites with great information. Your career office, public library and bookstores will have plenty of print resources as well.
4.Talk to people in fields of interest and advice. These informational interviews are a great way learn about potential careers as well as to make contacts for jobs, internships or shadowing. Reach out to local professionals, family contacts and college alumni for leads for meetings.
5. Volunteer! Pick a local organization doing good works which you admire. You’ll meet lots of professionals in other fields and show future employers that you are a person of substance. Best of all you will feel great about yourself!
6. Pick part-time and summer jobs which bring you into contact with lots of people. Think server at a restaurant, camp counselor, nanny, receptionist, caddy, country club worker, tennis instructor, bartender, temp, nursing aide etc. Be open about what you are studying and your interests with the people you meet and you’ll be surprised how helpful people can be if you have impressed them!
So have a fun summer but devote a small segment of your time to these activities and you will surely be glad when September rolls around!
