Summer is a Great Time for Professional Development

Regardless of how your student plans to spend the summer, there is always time for career and professional development. Here are some summer activities that can help your student plan for their future career success:

1. Job shadow – Observe a professional in a career of interest for a period of time. This increases professional connections while also exposing your student to a particular field.

2. Go shopping for interview and job fair attire – Be ready for an interview or professional event at a moment’s notice by sprucing up your student’s wardrobe now. Also, talk to your student about what constitutes appropriate professional attire, such as skirt lengths for women, ties for men and wrinkle-free clothing for both.

Save the date for the Fall Career Fair on Sept. 20. Students will learn about jobs, internships and graduate schools.

3. Research careers of interest – Conduct Internet searches or take advantage of the resources within the Career Services Center, including the Career Resource Library, What You Can Do with a Major publications, and major-specific links.

4. Chat with a professional about their career – Invite a contact to have coffee or lunch and use the opportunity to ask questions about their career field and current issues associated with it. This type of informal meeting also could yield job leads.

5. Creating, Updating résumé or CV and other career documents – Be sure your student knows how to write a proper résumé and cover letter, as well as complete graduate admission documents, including personal statements, essays and CV’s.

The Xavier Career Services Center is open all summer. Feel free to refer students to connect with us.