Hey there is nothing like a lazy summer day at the beach, or a cold glass of sweat tea on the porch with family and friends talking about a whole lot of nothing (smile). We all deserve and need that precious R&R over the summer.
But summer time also presents you with many great opportunities to get a Professional Edge in your career. As I share with my students and alumni at Howard and many of the successful executives I work with, summer is one of the greatest times of the year to refresh and reposition yourself for professional advancement.
Some excellent career advancement strategies to consider this summer:
Internships. For some of you "power players" who are out there and participating in internships, you already know that this is the number one way to strategically leverage your summer time for career advancement. Most top tier organizations provide excellent career development internship programs where you can gain valuable professional experience, mentoring, earn competitive compensation (in most cases), and have an excellent opportunity to develop leading edge competencies. The number one way to secure and transition into top tier employers and professional opportunities coming out of college is by actively participating in internship programs with top tier employers. Stop by your career office for more information on opportunities and participating employers.
Leverage Your "Part-time" Summer Job. So you didn't get that perfect corporate internship this summer and you are working at the mall, all is not lost, there may be great professional development opportunities right under your nose. Don't settle for a waisted summer trying to keep up with mall gossip and parties. Leverage your mall or retail work experience by taking advantage of professional develop opportunities with your employer. Volunteer for available management or technical training, volunteer to assist with business functions such as record keeping, accounting, store deposits, staffing, scheduling, recruiting and training staff. Assist in creating new marketing strategies and developing sales displays. You may be surprised to find that your job at the mall may be filled with many valuable, yet hidden, career development opportunities.
Take time to develop your professional network
But summer time also presents you with many great opportunities to get a Professional Edge in your career. As I share with my students and alumni at Howard and many of the successful executives I work with, summer is one of the greatest times of the year to refresh and reposition yourself for professional advancement.
Some excellent career advancement strategies to consider this summer:
Internships. For some of you "power players" who are out there and participating in internships, you already know that this is the number one way to strategically leverage your summer time for career advancement. Most top tier organizations provide excellent career development internship programs where you can gain valuable professional experience, mentoring, earn competitive compensation (in most cases), and have an excellent opportunity to develop leading edge competencies. The number one way to secure and transition into top tier employers and professional opportunities coming out of college is by actively participating in internship programs with top tier employers. Stop by your career office for more information on opportunities and participating employers.
Leverage Your "Part-time" Summer Job. So you didn't get that perfect corporate internship this summer and you are working at the mall, all is not lost, there may be great professional development opportunities right under your nose. Don't settle for a waisted summer trying to keep up with mall gossip and parties. Leverage your mall or retail work experience by taking advantage of professional develop opportunities with your employer. Volunteer for available management or technical training, volunteer to assist with business functions such as record keeping, accounting, store deposits, staffing, scheduling, recruiting and training staff. Assist in creating new marketing strategies and developing sales displays. You may be surprised to find that your job at the mall may be filled with many valuable, yet hidden, career development opportunities.
Take time to develop your professional network
and visit employer contacts while on vacation.
Consider while visiting a new city, state, or traveling overseas, planning a site visit with employers in the area. Schedule information interviews with top professionals or successful alumni contacts you may have developed during the year. Remember to bring your business cards to share with interesting and successful people you may want to follow-up with after your vacation. Don't hesitate to ask the people you meet for their business cards. Vacation time is a time when many people are more relaxed and personable, many people you meet may be more willing than in traditional settings to discuss briefly their professional and business interest, or exchange business cards with you.
Catch up with your professional reading. One way to always maintain your Professional Edge is to invest your time in reading innovative, and leading industry books and literature over the summer. Summer is a great time to catch up on professional trends, issues, and hot new industry topics that will keep you in the know this summer. I always recommend professional development reading in the Summer to my students, alumni, and executive clients. Leverage your down time while traveling, on the beach, on the deck, or simply in quiet times at home. Turn off Hollywood for a moment, take a break and invest in your mind.
Schedule a few Power Lunches. This is especially great if you are working near a large metropolitan center and can coordinate power lunches, coffee, or even "happy hour" meetings with business contacts you have developed during the year. Great contacts to connect with may include employer contacts, alumni, and strategic contacts that can provide you with career insight, support, and information.
Lastly, Refresh, Rest, and giver yourself permission to Dream Bigger Dreams. Leave behind challenges of the year, consider your future successes, take a moment and be thankful for the years successes, allow yourself time and moments to drift off into the great dreams and ideas withing you.
Enjoy your summer!
Do you have anything to add, or any comments on this entry? Let me know what you think through this blog, or by writing me at kwells@howard.edu.
KRW
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