Summer is a great time.
No more lectures, no more seminars, and most importantly no more deadlines.
You get to go home and see your pals. It’s time to relax, go on holiday and enjoy some quality “me” time.
But, if you are serious about your future career, you should be thinking of doing more than staying in bed playing the PS4.
Here are a few ways to ensure you get the most out of your summer.
Get a holiday job
This gives you great experience, as well as a few extra pennies. Not to mention it looks great on your CV. After uni, employers will want to know that you didn’t just waste your free time and that you did something to “better yourself”. This doesn’t even need to be in your desired industry – you’ll still get a lot out of it.
Volunteer
Again, this looks great on your CV. If you can’t get anything paid, then volunteering is a great way to build experience while also making a difference. This could be something as simple as helping out in a local charity shop, or volunteering abroad. Volunteering, while letting build key skills, can be for as long or as little as you like. So you don’t have to be doing it everyday.
Do work experience
Summer is the perfect time to organise work experience in your preferred field. Get in touch with a company and ask for unpaid work experience. It shows you’re keen and allows you the opportunity to gain some hands on experience in your chosen industry. It is also a great way to build industry contacts ahead of your graduation and search for full time employment.
Remember, in this day and age simply having a degree doesn’t guarantee you a job. Employers are looking for experience, and the more you have the easier finding a job becomes. Whatever you decide to do, remember to enjoy your summer. It won’t be long before the deadlines start again.