What Should You Be Doing Over Spring Break?

Written by Sarah Hornsby

As spring break quickly approaches so does the half way mark for the semester.  This can be a scary time for current seniors who will be graduating soon because there is so much to do to prepare yourself professionally.  This applies to non-seniors as well.  Just because you will not be graduating in May or December does not mean that you shouldn't be doing anything to further your professional self.  College doesn't last forever, and before you know it you will be out in the "real" world.

Spring break is a great time to really focus on your professional self. 

Here is a list of things provided by NerdScholar that you should be doing over spring break:

1. Talk with family members
They are typically your biggest advocates in the job search. Students should also seek out family friends and acquaintances that are recent college graduates, Dawn Edmiston, a professor at Saint Vincent College, says. These people “can provide the best insight on what to expect in an entry-level position on a daily basis.”

2. Travel to cities you might want to work in after college
Networking over spring break doesn’t necessarily mean you have to miss out on spending time in new and exciting places. For those interested in moving to a new city, spring break is the perfect opportunity to meet people who work in your preferred industry there.

3. Don't discount volunteering
Volunteering is “one of the most effective ways to build connections,” Pickens says. Spring break provides the perfect time to devote yourself to such projects in your community or abroad. For instance, many universities and student-run organizations offer opportunities to spend spring break volunteering elsewhere, typically referred to as “alternative spring breaks.”

4. Take advantage of career center services
Since spring break is a time when most people are away on vacation, students who stick around should make use of career center resources then. It’s a time when, “guaranteed, you will be able to get an appointment for one-on-one career counseling, resume advice, mock interviews, or other services the center may provide,” says Susan Ramlo, a professor at the University of Akron.

5. Stand out from the crowd
Networking over spring break not only gives undergraduates a head start in the job and internship search, but according to Ron Culp, it separates you as a more serious job candidate to potential employers. “Most college students focus on relaxation during spring break, so it is to your advantage to request informational interviews and to network at this time,” he says. “Professionals will be sympathetic and try to meet with you, especially when they hear that you opted to see them rather than go to Cancun.”

6. Rebrand your online presence
It is crucial to make sure that your Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn and any other social media profiles are in check when beginning the networking process. An off-color profile picture can be the reason an employer doesn’t hire you, says Ramlo, so taking the initiative early on—like over spring break—will benefit your career choices down the road.

To read the entire NerdScholar article, follow this link provided below:

http://www.nerdwallet.com/blog/nerdscholar/2014/expert-advice-network-spring-break/