After the hecticness of finals dies down, the realization of winter break finally sets in: nearly a month-long break to do whatever you want. However, once the holidays pass and the new year sets in, you may be wondering: what’s next? While relaxing and recharging is important, it is just as valuable not to lose your momentum as you get ready for the spring semester. Finding ways to maximize your free time and engage in productive activities will not only make you feel more prepared, but also more fulfilled. Discover how to improve your academic readiness, career development, and personal lifestyle by practicing these three ways to make the most of your winter break.
Create or Update your Linkedin and Resume
Having your Linkedin or resume on hand serves as a vital resource when applying for internship opportunities and networking with professionals in your field. Whether you are connecting in a virtual or in-person environment, you want to make a good first impression. If you haven’t already created a Linkedin or resume, take winter break to do so! Reach out to the Office of Career Exploration and Success for tips, advice, and review of your Linkedin and resume. Their guidance will provide useful information for crafting your profile based on your career path.
If you already have a Linkedin or resume, make sure to highlight the new experiences, accomplishments, and skills you developed over the fall semester! Adding in new internships, awards, and courses will help strengthen your Linkedin and also your overall resume.
Search for Spring/Summer Internship Opportunities
Depending on the field you are in, winter break is the ideal time to conduct a thorough internship search to learn more about spring/summer opportunities. For juniors and seniors, it is imperative to secure a spring/summer internship opportunity to gain experience before entering the workforce. However, even if you are a freshman or sophomore, it is never too early to start looking for potential future internships!
Using websites like Handshake and Linkedin serve as a great digital resource to find internships best suited to your career interest and abilities. Take time to reach out to professors and alumni in your field to hear about their career journeys. Not only do they provide excellent insight, but making these connections might introduce you to internship opportunities as well.
Set Academic, Career, and Personal Goals
Motivate yourself by setting goals. Use winter break as the chance to self-reflect and think about the life you want to create for yourself. Whether you set short-term goals or long-term goals, it is crucial to intentionally envision the future and figure out a path to get there. For short-term goals, you may aim to get As in all your spring semester classes. For long term goals, you may plan to secure a summer internship. Either way, goal-setting encourages you to set a strategy for making your aspirations possible.
Developing a way to achieve your goals allows you to come into spring semester with a better idea of the direction you want to go in. Because winter break gives you time to breathe, evaluate how you plan to set yourself up for success in the upcoming months.
Winter break is the prime time to take a proactive approach in shaping the rest of your college career. Working on your Linkedin and resume, searching for internship opportunities, and outlining your goals will help you gain a sense of excitement and fulfillment for the future.