We appreciate that this year has been a unique and challenging year with a pandemic, election, and the elevation of the importance of racial justice. So first and fore-most we hope you will relax, reflect, and spend quality time with friends and family.
It can also be a time when you can begin or continue the exploration or search process. Here are 5 things you can do over the break to move you forward in your career journey:
1. Practice Informational Interviewing or Continue Networking.
Are you nervous about talking to people about their job or career path? Not sure how to ask for advice? Why not practice with friends and family members. Ask your aunt, uncle, or even a friend if you can conduct an informational interview with them. Prepare like you would for a conversation with someone you don’t know. What does your family member like about their job? What are some of the challenges? What does your friend like about their major? What have they learned from their experiences?
Already comfortable talking with others? Why not use TigerLink to identify a couple of alumni you are interested in speaking with and schedule an informational interview with them?
While it may be tempting to ask questions over email, you should try to schedule a 20-30 minute phone/video call instead. You can find more information on how to initiate, prepare for, conduct and follow up after an informational interview here. You can also watch a quick video on networking by a young alum.
2. Work on your Resume.
Winter break can be a great opportunity to fine-tune your resume. Read over your document as if you were an employer looking to hire you: Is it easy to read? Is the formatting consistent? Are there stronger action you could use to describe your experiences? What do you want them to know about you in a 10-second glance? If you haven’t started a resume yet, you can find tips and advice on the Career Center website.
3. Create or Update your LinkedIn profile.
Your LinkedIn profile is likely the first place that professional contacts and employers will go to learn about you. You can use your newly crafted resume to begin completing or update your LinkedIn content. The Muse shares helpful hints in their article “The Secret to Building a LinkedIn Profile that gets results. Struggling to craft your summary? Find some examples here.
4. Search for Jobs and Internships.
Whether you know what you are looking for or are unsure, now while you are a bit more relaxed is a good opportunity to see what jobs/internships are out there that might interest you. Handshake is great place to start. For additional ideas, visit our page on Job Searching.
5. Take a Self-assessment.
Not sure what your interests are? Why not complete the PathwayU assessments and identify interests and workplace values and preferences? These assessments only take a few minutes. Upon completion, click on “Career Matches” to see those that best align with your results. If you click on “All Careers”, you can filter by level of education you wish to complete as well as several other variables.
Want to keep exploring, you can find other resources on our
Choosing a Career Direction page and our Pathway Pages.
Bonus: Subscribe to one or more of our pathway newsletters.
You can receive jobs/internships, events, resources, and tips right in your
email inbox. Subscribe today.
