Having a month off of school provides students with much deserved rest and relaxation; however, spending some of this time focusing on their future career plans could pay off in the end. Whether concentrating on identifying a major or job of interest, networking or applying for graduate programs, a little work throughout the break can go a long way.
Establishing a network early can greatly assist your student in the future. Your student can use hometown connections to meet professionals in their field of interest. Encourage them to reach out to people in their social groups, parents of friends, church members, or community leaders to help build their network. They can also utilize LinkedIn, an online tool that aims at building and maintaining professional networks. Once they have connected with someone, encourage them to take the next step by scheduling an informational interview or lunch meeting to gain more knowledge of the profession and job outlook. This meeting can be a great way to set up a future job shadowing opportunity or internship. The more your student knows, the more they can build confidence in their abilities to make future career decisions.
If your student is considering graduate school or other professional programs, the downtime during Winter Break is perfect for researching. This preparation will help reduce stress as application deadlines approach. To find graduate programs by location or program of study, your student can visit www.petersons.com. Once your student has identified a program, encourage them to begin working on application materials. For more information and resources about entrance exams and selecting a graduate school, visit http://career.uark.edu/new/students/GraduateProfessionalSchool.asp.
Regardless of whether your student starts looking for a job in a few months or is just beginning their college career, building their resume early is essential. Out of classroom experiences like volunteering can set your student apart from other candidates and give their resume a boost. Encourage them to volunteer for a few days or weeks during the break. This experience not only allows them to network and build their resume, it also provides them the opportunity to give back to their community at the same time!