Don’t get us wrong – while summer is often used to travel, catch-up with family and friends, or binge watch Netflix. It also offers the perfect opportunity to advance your future career, supplement your course work or just adopt better habits.
Below are tips from our CAPS Advisors on How To Stay Engaged During Summer!
Build Your Skillsets. It is always important to learn new skills, such as taking a certification on LinkedIn learning. This will also help you expand you resume skills section. It would be good to see what skills your dream career utilizes and get an early start at learning them. This could even mean making a developmental area into a strength.
Intern. Internships are a great way to use what you learn in the classroom and take it to an organization, while also building connections. While companies mainly recruit for summer internships in the spring, it is not too late. Many companies are looking for interns year-round.
Work. Working a part-time job over the summer, especially related to your major, will help you get professional experience and hone transferable skills such as teamwork and communication, while also making some extra money.
Get Involved In the Community. Volunteering does not only stand out on your resume, but it also allows you to help better your community in a meaningful way. In addition, it will help you connect with and meet more people to add to your professional network. Having volunteer experience shows hiring managers and admissions committee’s that you are willing work for cause greater than yourself.
Develop Heathy Habits and Set Goals. Summer allows you to start a fresh new routine which could include working out regularly, getting to sleep earlier, or eating healthier. By putting this into your daily regimen, you will start to develop everyday habits that will help you find a balance between the fast pace of the semester and your overall health. Make it a goal to continue these habits and set times for them each week, so that you can find a happy medium between work, academics, and a healthy lifestyle.
Plan for Next Semester. You can start planning for next semester by reviewing your notes and getting familiar with your next courses. You can also do reflections on what did and did not go well, and what can be done differently next semester. It is also good to stay in touch with your teachers, especially if you plan to ask them for a letter of recommendation down the road. Summer could also be a great time to think about what extracurricular activities to get involved in next semester.
Shadow. Shadowing a professional is a great way to get experience especially in healthcare and get a glimpse of your future career. Don’t hesitate to reach out to professionals in and out of your network for a shadowing opportunity, especially those that are NSU alumni. LinkedIn is a great place to do so.
Prepare for Admissions Exams. Planning to go to graduate or professional school? Summer can be used to focus on getting time for study hours or attending preparation courses, which can be challenging during the semester. Remember to check all the timelines and deadlines for your programs of interest.
Utilize CAPS. While it is important to destress, summer is also the perfect time to update your career documents such as resume, cover letter, and personal statement, as well as mock interview practice. This is also a great way to meet with your advisor before the fall semester starts.
To schedule a one-on-one session with an advisor, you can book through Navigate or by calling the CAPS office at (954) 262-7990.
