Looking for something to do over winter break? NAU Career Development is here to help!
What better way to prepare for your future career than by taking time at the end of this year to reflect and plan ahead?
Conduct Informational Interviews
If you’re not exactly sure what you want to do or what problem(s) you want to solve, informational interviewing may be for you!
Informational interviewing is a formal way of saying talking to people who do what you think you would like to do.
Take some time to talk to professionals and learn about a career field you find interesting — Use this worksheet as a guide to prepare for the conversations.
Job Shadow or Volunteer
The next step after you’ve gotten some information about some possible options is to try them out!
Consider contacting a professional who is working in the career field that you are interested in and shadowing them for a day could give you insight into what your future could be like.
Another great way to get involved and gain some transferable skills for your future career is by volunteering.
Check out Idealist and Handshake to find organizations and volunteer opportunities near you!
Update your social presence
About 70% of recruiters and hiring managers screen potential candidates’ social media profiles before offering an interview. Do you know what your online presence says about you?
Try searching yourself (in a private or incognito browser window) and see what comes up!
If you’ve ever made a LinkedIn, it will come up within the first five Google search results. TikTok, Instagram, Tumblr, Myspace, and more – make sure that you are taking the time to invest in your online presence to ensure it represents your best self.
Check out some of our 24/7 Online Career Resources for additional tips, tricks, and ideas to prepare for the new year!
Update your application materials
When was the last time you updated your resume? How about your cover letter? Have you applied for several jobs but not heard back? Have you written a thank you letter for interviews you’ve completed?
Making sure to update your application materials on a routine basis can save you a lot of time in the long run — so many things happen each semester, so make sure to document the awesome ones for your resume!
Tune into @NAUCareer social media this December for our new series about writing stand-out resumes and cover letters: 12 Days of Resumes!
We have some great resources and examples on our website, too.
Apply for Jobs, Internships, Research opportunities and more!
Once you’re ready, go ahead and start looking and applying for summer jobs and internships early.
To start the search, check out Handshake to see what’s available. Then get started on those application materials, and be aware of upcoming deadlines!
We will be here all break, so make sure to schedule appointments with us via phone, email, or in-person in Handshake if we can help with anything!
Have a safe and happy winter break, Lumberjacks!