Out goes April, and in comes May! Summer break is almost upon us and ladies, I have both good and bad news.
Good news: The spring semester is finally coming to a close, which means beaches, ice cream cones, long days, and warm nights. Bad news: If you are a student transitioning into your junior or senior year next fall, like me, you have likely begun stressing the inevitable—planning for your next steps towards graduation. Finding internships, joining more organizations, applying to graduate school, and networking with people in an aligned field are a few of the tasks that compete for our limited time as young adults. With the added pressure of balancing academic expectations, campus organizations, and loved ones, it can feel nearly impossible to start and complete everything on the list during the academic year.
Now, I understand fully: summertime isn’t available or ideal for everyone. Most either have committed jobs, trips out of the country, or extra courses. But if you are in a similar predicament to me—a student who was unsuccessful in securing a summer internship, has open availability, and no grand plans—or you just want to take on a simple challenge, I have a proposal for you!
I urge you to use this summer to intentionally build and establish your brand, which includes your “Who”, your “What”, your “Why”, and your “How”, as it relates to your professional development. I emphasize intentional because I know firsthand how easy it is to lose yourself in the hustle and bustle of modern career culture, whether you are frantically applying to internships, mindlessly overloading your schedule with extracurriculars, or falling into the trap of imposter syndrome.
So, let this summer serve as a sabbatical—catch up on much needed rest (yes, I am talking to you college students), prioritize self-care, and start laying the groundwork for the semesters ahead. To help you get started, here are five simple ways to launch your professional journey this summer.
CREATE AN “ELEVATOR PITCH”
Following physical appearance, words define the first impression of an individual. This is why developing your “pitch” is essential to launching your professional brand.
An elevator pitch is a concise introduction that includes your name and summarizes where you are from, your background, and where you are headed (academic or career-wise). Oftentimes, these pitches are used at career fairs, networking events, or job interviews, allowing the person on the receiving end to gauge who you are and your personality as well as professional aspirations.
An example of an elevator pitch template is:
Hello, my name is (First/Last Name). I am a (Degree/Concentration) student at (University/College) hailing from (Hometown). On campus, I serve as (Roles) where I (Description of Roles). I am seeking opportunities where I can develop my skillset in (Interested Skill), with the hopes of (Overall Goal).
As someone who knows what I am passionate about, but struggles with conveying it to peers and potential mentors, an elevator pitch serves as good practice for public speaking, networking, and professionalism!
UPDATE YOUR RESUME (OR START ANEW)
I know that college can get a bit hectic, and the last thing on your mind is to write down all of your accomplishments during the year. But it is imperative that you update your resume because it is the only physical (and digital) representation of your professional efforts.
It not only allows you to track where you have interned, worked, or shadowed, but it also gives potential employers and mentors the ability to see your consistency as it pertains to your aspiring profession. Most jobs or internships take a liking to students who not only prioritize academics, but also make it their focus to explore different career opportunities as often as they can.
Disclaimer: Do not go and try to balance 3-4 jobs at one time, knowing that your capacity is capped at one. But when time, energy, and opportunity permits, take initiative and make sure it is constantly reflected in your resume.
For my ladies who do not have a resume, or trashed their old one, start anew! Some good sites that have easy and downloadable resume templates include Thurgood Marshall College Fund, Harvard University, and Yale University. Typically, a resume includes your name and general information (city/state and contact information), education (college/university), work and leadership experience, and skills (certifications, too, if you have).
A tip I received when I first began to develop my resume is to focus on experiences that align with your “end goal”, whether that may be the position you are applying for or the position you are working towards. For example, if I am a psychology major, I should prioritize roles that include working with children/adults (depending on concentration), researching social issues and their impacts, even if it was as simple as a class project, or facilitating peer education initiatives. Though the roles vary in title or description, they are relevant in nature and hone the same skillsets.
This is not something that you need to fill out all by yourself , or in one sitting! These sites typically have FAQ’s or step-by-step programs that assist you in developing your resume structure and content. And gradually, you can fill in new and relevant experiences that align with your professional goals.
NETWORK, NETWORK, AND NETWORK
Have you ever heard someone say the phrase, “It’s not what you know, it’s who you know?” Well, they weren’t lying!
Networking is often considered one of the quickest ways to land a job, internship, or shadowing opportunity. A common example of networking includes attending events such as conferences, expos, summits, and career fairs. These events are where your elevator pitch comes into fruition!
Networking allows you to connect with various people, whether they are professionals, mentors, or likeminded peers, and build relationships that could open doors to open positions, job referrals, professional recommendations, and industry insights.
As a student, you can apply for year-round scholarships that cover all expenses for national summer conferences, ranging from industry-specific to general professional development. Additionally, consider seeking out free and local summits, fairs, and expos related to your professional goals, which often offers opportunities for volunteering or exploration. I challenge you all to find and attend one event this summer!
Remember: The goal is to gain visibility and foster authentic, but strategic, connections. Make sure you walk away with at least one form of contact, and touch base regularly. You never know where that connection may lead you.
RESEARCH TIME!
I am someone who struggles most in identifying and summarizing what I want to do and what I want to achieve. I like to call myself a “multi-hyphenate” because my passions are not limited to one fashion, and I believe that most students and soon-to-be professionals have this challenge.
That is where research comes in.
The professional landscape is more broad than we assume it to be. Career fields are becoming increasingly interdisciplinary and integrating approaches across professional boundaries. Rather than limiting your scope, sit down and read through a list of jobs under your major. Watch videos of people in your target professions, or take a career aptitude assessment that measures your natural abilities or potential in certain fields.
Though this task may be the most time-consuming of all that I recommended, it is the most influential. It forces you to pinpoint your personal ambitions and apply it to the diverse world of professional possibilities, grounding you in your “why” and “how”.
CENTER GOD
As a young college student on my journey to Christ, I take pride in consulting God in all that I do, including my professional development.
As I stated before, it is easy to lose yourself within the modern career culture. You can get so caught up in what others are pursuing, what others are achieving, and what makes the most money that you forget to prioritize your passions, your unique impact, and your health in the midst of it all. So, center God. Read and study the books in the Bible that encourage the seed of patience and growth, like The Book of Job or Galatians. Pray to Him before every application, or when you start to lose sight of your divine “why”.
Allow God to take your worries, your stresses, as well as your desires and your goals into His hands. I promise, this ensures that everything you do is with the utmost intention and dedication, while still remaining in a state of peace and assurance.
YOUR TURN, GIRL
I know this transition from student to early-career professional can be intense, but I encourage you to pace yourself. Use this summer to make small, intentional steps—whether that’s refining your resume or hopping on a 15-minute zoom call with an industry leader that you met this past semester. These micro-actions build your professional platform, and I assure you, by the time fall rolls around, you will thank Summer You.
