Summer of Opportunity

If you are not taking a class over the summer semester, you may be looking for a way to make the most of your time during the break. Summer’s a great time to gain experience, make connections and bolster your resume.

First you need to determine what your long-term goals are and what your immediate needs are. If making money is the goal, then a summer job might be your best option, but if you need experience more than anything, there are other avenues to explore.

There are a number of ways to spend the summer months, which can be beneficial for you. They include:

A summer job: Whether you are looking for a job that relates to your chosen career path or one that will further develop your transferable and career-ready skills, this is an option that will enhance your resume and could help to pay for some of your education.

Internship and co-op opportunities: Many college programs have co-ops or internships built in to their curriculum. For example, Seneca’s Bachelor of Child Development includes a paid co-op term scheduled in the summer between semesters 6 and 7. The Applied Electronics Design program includes a four-month work term following the second semester, however students may apply to do the co-op earlier if they wish.

Volunteering: Extra-curricular activities were once considered a “bonus” on a resume when applying for jobs. Now they are almost essential when trying to get your foot in the door of a potential career, and an excellent opportunity to discover if the future path you’re envisioning is even right for you. By volunteering you get the opportunity to meet people in the field and connect with companies that will see firsthand what you can do. It also gives you the chance to test your skills and develop new skills that can help you with your education and career goals.

The key is to find something that you would like doing. Some of the best resources you have are your family and friends, so talk to them about what they like about their jobs and it might just help you find the perfect fit for yourself.

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