From Campus to Career: Summer Tips for Future Success

As the school year draws to a close, college students across the country are gearing up for a well-deserved summer break. Definitely take that breather, but don’t miss the opportunity to take proactive steps towards achieving your career goals. Whether you're just starting out in college or nearing graduation, there are plenty of things you can do this summer to set yourself up for career success.

Rising Freshman

If you're a rising freshman, now is the perfect time to give some thought to how you can shape your education to create the type of life you want to lead. As you register for classes and consider majors, try to keep your longer term goals in mind. Don’t just register for any class that meets after 2pm and not on Fridays! Using your electives early on to explore your interests, and getting involved with related clubs and extracurricular activities, will help you narrow down what major and academic path you want to follow, and give more meaning to your time in college.

Rising Sophomore

Heading into sophomore year, summer is a great time to work on transitioning your resume to a collegiate version and creating or updating your LinkedIn profile. This means highlighting your college experience and any relevant coursework, projects, or extracurricular activities. Make sure to include any leadership positions you've held or volunteer work you've done (including through greek or other social organizations), as these can demonstrate your skills, show your willingness to get involved beyond the surface, and your commitment to making a difference.

Rising Junior

Internships are critical to gaining real-world experience and making valuable connections in your industry of interest. Many companies start recruiting for summer internships as early as the fall semester, so rising juniors should take the downtime over the summer to start researching potential internship opportunities. Visit your school’s career center webpage and take note of important dates, including career fairs, workshops, etc. Most schools use Handshake to connect students and employers, and allow students to search for career opportunities. Log on and look around so you’re familiar with how the platform works. And if your resume and LinkedIn profile need some attention, now’s the time to make sure everything is updated and good to go.

Rising Senior

As a senior, the job search should be at the forefront of your mind. This summer is the perfect time to prepare for what's to come. Thinking of applying for jobs in a few different industries? Review your resume and consider whether it makes sense to create a couple of different versions tailored to the different types of jobs. Practice writing cover letters that are specific to each industry, and make some templates for yourself that you can easily tweak and tailor for each application. Finally - polish up your interviewing skills! Use the internet to come up with some typical interview questions in your field, and practice answering them in front of a family member or friend, or even the mirror.

Whether you're just starting out in college or nearing graduation, taking proactive steps towards achieving your goals can make all the difference.

Need help exploring possible careers and majors? Have your career goals in mind but don’t know how to take the steps to be where you want to be? Schedule a call  with us to learn more about our Compass Program and our Career Success Coaching programs!