Things are starting to heat up! Summer is here and so is the pressure to make career moves during your well-deserved time off. Trust us, we understand and are here to help you propel your career forward while also supporting the activities you really want to do during your time away from school. We came up with a list of six practical ways you can gain professional experience this summer, along with some tips on fostering professional connections sprinkled in.

Volunteering
Did you know that Bloomington is home to over 300 non-profit organizations, serving different populations around the city? From animal shelters to city music festivals, the possibilities are endless! Volunteering is a low-commitment way to experiment working with different groups of people and industries. This means that if you don’t quite like the volunteer work you’re doing, there is no commitment to stay in a certain position, unlike with internships or full-time jobs. Also, volunteering helps you gain important soft skills such as empathy, teamwork and decision-making that can be applicable to any career field.

Say you’re a sophomore majoring in Psychology and are looking for relevant work experiences that cater to your interest in child counseling. Keeping in mind that finding a specific counseling internship or job can be a bit tricky as an undergraduate student, you focus on finding ways you can work with your group of interest— children. Finding a volunteer position at the YMCA children’s summer camps allows you to get experience mentoring and working with children— making for a great way to propel your career forward!

Part-Time Job
We get it, it’s nice to get paid for your work! This is where part-time jobs come into play. This type of experience requires a bit more commitment, but can help propel your career forward nonetheless. Even if you take a position that does not typically align with your desired career field, you gain versatile skills such as communication, teamwork and responsibility. You can even ask your supervisor if you can take on additional tasks that may align a bit more with your interests and goals, such as helping with their social media or event planning. Websites like Handshake and the IU job board are great places to start looking for these part-time opportunities. Still feeling stuck? Reach out to one of our career coaches who can help you find your best path forward!

Passion Project
Want to be your own boss? Then a passion project might be the perfect solution for you! Passion projects are activities that you are passionate about and are willing to put time and effort into. They allow you to get creative, hone in on specific skills you want to develop, and create your own experiences. You never know where it will take you!

Examples:

• If you are interested in writing, try starting a blog
• If you are interested in art/design, try starting an Etsy shop
• If you are interested in teaching, try starting a tutoring business

Virtual Career Appointment
It may be summer break, but our career coaches are hard at work helping students like you! Career coaches are great people to bounce ideas off of as well as a great way to receive guidance as you navigate through your academic and career journey. They offer free services such as job and internship search, resume and cover letter reviews, mock interviews and so much more! Appointments can be done virtually and scheduled through your Handshake account.

Career Chat
If you’re still not sure what your next career steps are, career chats (or informational interviews) are a great way to see what a certain industry is really like. This is an opportunity to ask your burning questions and to make a meaningful, professional connection. Career chats might be with family friends, distant relatives or even your professors! Websites like LinkedIn and the Walter Center Success Network are great places to start if you don’t already have connections in the industry you’re looking into. Be sure to explain why you are interested in talking to this person and set up a time to have a chat, whether it’s in a coffee shop or on Zoom. After your career chat, send them a thank you card and make note of what you learned during your time. This might be helpful when you have to make a career decision!

Job Shadow
The best way to know an industry is to experience it, which is why job shadowing is an important way to gauge your interest in a certain career field. To set up a time to job shadow, try reaching out to an industry professional through LinkedIn, the Walter Center Success Network, or through your already established connections. (Tip: IU Alumni are usually very excited to help current IU students!) During your shadowing experience, be sure to take notes and ask meaningful questions. These can help you connect with your mentor and also give you more of a candid look into the career field. If you’re having trouble finding a job shadowing opportunity, be sure to reach out to one of our career coaches!

We hope these tips gave you some inspiration as to how you can propel your career forward this summer. Trying new things and learning more about industries can be fun! If you’d like to chat more in depth about any of these ideas, don’t hesitate to make a career coaching appointment through Handshake. The Walter Center is always here to help you!