Ah, summer. Whether your student is taking classes, working or enjoying a well-deserved break, they might have some downtime over the next three months. Here are some things your student can do this summer to make progress on their career goals.
Upgrade skills
Learning new things and expanding on skills can give your student an edge over other candidates. While many of the skills they’ll need are built into their courses, there are also ways to develop skills outside the classroom.
CU students have free access to LinkedIn Learning. There are hundreds of courses for both technical skills (HTML, data analytics, project management) and non-technical skills (communication, teamwork, problem solving, leadership).
If your student wants to upgrade their skills but they aren’t sure where to start, suggest that they browse job postings for positions that interest them. They can take note of the skills or qualifications that employers are looking for, and check if there are courses on developing those skills. They could also start with courses that build on transferable skills. These non-technical skills are often the most in-demand and apply to any job industry.
Sharpen their professional toolkit
Your student can use their summer to work on application materials and practices that will help them stand out. They could:
- Create a memorable resume that highlights their skills, abilities and experience.
- Practice writing effective cover letters.
- Update their profiles on LinkedIn and Handshake.
- Prepare answers for commonly asked interview questions.
- Practice answering behavioral interview questions.
Your student can also use free online tools from Career Services to help them prepare for job searching. They could upload their resume to VMock to get instant feedback, or use the VMock Aspire tool to optimize their LinkedIn profile. They could also use InterviewStream to practice answering interview questions and build their confidence.
Connect with others
When it comes to networking, encourage your student to think about the connections they may already have. Do they have friends who are recent graduates? People they’ve volunteered with? Former co-workers or campus organization members? Encourage them to stay connected on LinkedIn to maintain professional relationships. To make new connections, your student can start with the large network of CU Boulder alumni on the Forever Buffs Network.
Suggest that your student touch base with their connections regularly. It can be a casual email to check in and ask how someone is doing. Or follow up on something they had previously discussed. They could share interesting articles, newsletters or books that might be of interest to those in their network, or “like” and comment on recent LinkedIn posts.
Volunteer
One of the best ways to develop skills and give back to others is through volunteering. Volunteer roles can vary. Your student may find themselves working with animals, writing grants or collecting data for organizations. Whatever they do, they’ll gain experience that can add depth to their resume and profile. Your student’s volunteer experience may also give them great stories to share during interviews to demonstrate their strengths and skills.
There are plenty of opportunities to match your student’s interests and fit their schedule. Encourage them to connect with the Volunteer Resource Center (VRC) to learn more about finding service opportunities.
Pursue a passion project
Encourage your student to take an innovation mindset to their summer and pursue something they’re passionate about. Maybe they have an idea for a product that could improve our lives. Or perhaps they’ve considered opening a store on Etsy. Whatever it is, suggest that they try out their idea and see if it works. They could watch TED Talks, check out LinkedIn Learning or read books to develop their entrepreneurial mindset. The experience and knowledge they gain from their passion project can help guide their career path.
Study for grad school tests
Is your student planning to go to graduate school? They could use their downtime this summer to get a head start on studying for exams. Taking entrance exams early in the semester can give your student plenty of time to submit applications or retake the exam if they’re looking to improve their score.
Take care of themselves
While your student may feel like they should be productive, encourage them to also focus on self-care. Professional development comes second to our mental and physical well-being. Encourage your student to find balance by getting 7-9 hours of sleep, eating regular meals, finding time for physical activity and staying in touch with friends and family. For more tips on this, visit the Health and Wellness Services website.