School is over, your schedule is clearing up, and the weather is getting warmer. It is tempting to get lazy about work or your career. Losing motivation during break is normal, but the summer months can be the best time of the year to boost your career.
Take your newly acquired free time to think about how you can further your career. Whether or not you have an internship, there are numerous other career-boosting activities you could participate in.
Here are some options you could consider:
1. Acquire a new skill
Utilize the online learning platforms to acquire new knowledge. You could take classes at your own pace on edX, Coursera, or Udemy. There are a plethora of courses you could choose from at an affordable price or for free. You could also earn a certificate to take your career to the next level. Google Data Analytics, IBM Machine Learning, UX Design MasterTrack are some examples of the certificates you can through Coursera. Sage Corps’ Online Skills Academy offers students specific professional tracks in which you’ll learn practical skills that employers want, while providing additional career development and soft skill training.
If you want to learn some creative skills, Skillshare, YouTube, and MasterClass are great options. You can explore new skills or deepen your passion in areas such as photography, writing, and design.
Take a look at our previous blog post related to this topic!
2. Grow your network
Take this time to strengthen your existing connections and build new relationships. Reach out to friends and mentors to connect back with them. If you have an internship or job, develop your network within the company by reaching out to professionals who work in your field of interest. Through LinkedIn, contact your university’s alumni who are in the companies you want to recruit for. Reach out by sending a personal message, letting them know your interest in their field and desire to hear about their career journey. Your university’s alumni network is also a great resource for you to find alumni that you can connect with.
3. Revamp your resume and LinkedIn
Regularly updating your resume is good practice. Go through your resume and make the necessary changes. You could omit old or irrelevant experiences, change the layout, add hard data, and check for accuracy. Make sure your most recent work experience is added as well. Here are some helpful tips from the Sage Corps team regarding what employers want to see on your resume.
Set some time to set up or improve your LinkedIn account. LinkedIn is a useful tool to find new jobs, connect with professionals, and keep potential employers up to date with your career. By following specific companies or groups, you could find new opportunities or gain knowledge that can be used during your next interview. LinkedIn also suggests these four ways to revamp your profile so that you can stand out from the crowd.
4. Practice self-care
Workplace burnout and zoom fatigue can be stressful. Take some time this summer to take care of your health. Reflect on what’s decreasing your well-being and what brings you joy. Try to think of ways you can nourish yourself at any time, anywhere.
Self-care looks different to everyone. Whether it’s catching up with friends, going on vacation, or staying in bed all day, do whatever you personally need to care for your physical, mental, and emotional self.
