Summer break is the perfect time for students to focus on their future. There’s no hustling between school, homework, and extracurricular activities; it’s taking time for yourself and getting things done you may not have time for otherwise. Here are some ideas to help you with your career planning. Block out some time in the upcoming weeks to start checking them off. With a little preplanning, you can prepare for your dream career AND enjoy fun in the sun!
Tips for Seniors
CONGRATULATIONS! It’s exciting to think about all the new changes that will take place in your life. With these tips, you can take charge of your college and career planning to make everything smoother and less stressful.
- Make sure to complete college admissions if college is your choice. Submit your FAFSA, notify the school that you plan to attend there, mail deposits, and schedule registration, orientation, and housing.
- Enter reminders for all important dates from the college of your choice. Make sure you are receiving emails from them and find out who to contact with questions.
- Finalize summer job plans. Set a goal for savings, which brings us to the next point.
- Prepare a budget for when you leave home. Will you need a different car? What expenses will you need to cover?
- Make connections! Talk to people in the field you are pursuing. What education path did they take? Would they be willing to mentor you or give you a job for the summer?
- Going to college and have no idea what you want to go into? Visit the career resource center at the college and ask if someone can sit down to help you. You could leave knowing what you want to do and how to get there!
- Talk to your parents, friends, relatives and people in the community to research different careers. Make a list of things you like to do and Google jobs with those characteristics. For example, “Careers that work with people.”
Tips for Freshmen, Sophomores and Juniors
- Find jobs or job shadowing opportunities in careers you are interested in. Knowing you don’t like a career is just as important as finding a career you are interested in.
- Stop at a college while you’re on vacation, look at the campus and find out what programs they offer. You may find a career you have never heard of before!
- Continue to participate in extracurricular activities and keep a list for your resume. Colleges and employers are interested in well-rounded students.
- Look for scholarships. It’s never to early! Check into what you need to complete to get the North Dakota Academic and Career and Technical Education (CTE) Scholarship. It’s worth $6,000!
- Do your very best to work hard whether it’s a job or volunteer opportunity, be responsible and be an amazing team player. At the end of the summer, ask your supervisor for a letter of reference. You’ll be amazed at how valuable that letter can be!
- Keep a journal and ask people in your community, family and anyone who will answer how they started their careers. You might be surprised how they ended up where they are today.
- Have a hobby? Use it to make extra cash and you might find the career you are looking for.
One of the best ways to find your dream job is to simply be helpful to everyone around you. A good reputation can open a lot of doors for opportunities! Keep your eyes open and notice all the careers around you. Can you name 15 of them in your community?
Checking some of these items off your list during the summer will help you take charge of your college and career planning.
