Just for grads: 4 ways to make your summer vacation work for you

 While summer is often a break from academics, you should take advantage of the extra time to focus on building your career. I encourage everyone to give themselves time of, I cannot condone an unproductive summer (unless it is the summer before you start law school, in which case make your summer an epic tale of lazy/relaxing). Here are 4 ways to make your summer productive while also enjoying your time off.

Source: USA weekend.

1.Do career research. Make time to talk to people with experience in career services. If you are unsure of what you want to become, discuss your interests and passions with them so that they may steer you in the right direction. They will also be able to provide you with resources and contacts to help you figure out which path you want to take. Do not give into the impulse to rush into a specific field, take your time to figure out your passions first. 

2. Job-shadow. You may check with your school's career services office to find out if there are formal shadowing programs. If your school does not have such a service, use the resources you already have. Ask your parents if they know anyone in that field and ask your parents to call up a few favors. If that doesn't work, find a few people in your area who work in a setting you are considering and contact them.
                                Call them.
                                      Email them.
                                              Build a relationship.
Once you've made contact, tell them you are interested in working in their field and would like to shadow them for a day or 5. While shadowing ask open-ended questions to show you are interested. Consider it "Take your child to work day" except for adults. Make an honest effort to find out what a day would be like if you chose to work in that particular setting all the time. For more information check out the National Job Shadow Coalition.

3. Get a summer job. Seek employment in your area of interest; however, do not be discouraged in you cannot find something you are specifically interested in. Every job is an opportunity to gain a set of valuable skills. Students working at McDonald's learn valuable customer service skills and humility. Students working at a guym learn about discipline and organization. YOU choose what you take away from your position. Whatever you choose to do, do it with excellence.

4. Find an internship. Although the deadline for most summer internships has passed, there are still opportunities out there. Ask around in your family & friends network to find out if they know anyone in need of assistance. Be bold enough to offer to work for free and confident enough in yourself to believe you deserve a chance. In light of our economy do not feel discouraged if you do not land a paid position. Be encouraged in knowing that once the economy recovers most companies will look to their pool of interns when looking to hire new employees. If you cannot find a summer internship, start looking for opportunities in the fall.



As usual, I do not claim this list to be exhuastive. Share what you plan on doing with your summer. Traveling? Starting a new company (oh wait thats me)? Learning a new trade?

Sharing is caring.