Encourage your student to Reflect, Prep and Step this Summer ☀️

REFLECT: A significant portion of the career development process involves self-reflection and self-awareness. Take some time to make note of your interests, values, skills, and goals is important because it can help guide decision making. 

• Encourage and prompt your student to think about their career interests and goals.  
• Consider with your student activities that might help to guide their reflection and planning, for example, keeping a journal, creating a career vision board, or trying an activity from the “Picture Your Career” workbook created by Katherine Brooks and Grace J. Foy at Vanderbilt University.
• Utilizing assessments to explore career interests can also be helpful when considering and weighing options.  Tools including the O*Net Interest Profiler or Road Trip Nation Road Map tool is helpful in illuminating potential career options. 

PREP: Career opportunities can pop up any time, and many application deadlines are set early in the Fall for many internship, job, and scholarship programs. As such, using some time in the summer to do some preparation can be a good investment in your future. Activities may include: identifying potential career-related opportunities, updating resumes, drafting application materials, and practicing interview skills. 

• Current students and recent graduates have access to a variety of career resources through our Center for Career and Professional Development page on The Hub.
• NCC students and recent graduates can learn about a variety of job and internship opportunities via Handshake.  There are some useful resources and guides for support on getting the most out of Handshake in the Handshake Help Center for Students & Alumni. 

STEP: Summer can be a great time to build skills through summer jobs, internships, volunteer experiences, and learning opportunities. Encourage your student to take the steps into one or more of these types of opportunities (if they are not already doing so). We often hear students say things like, “I’m just a lifeguard” or  “just working in retail” but each of these experiences can provide opportunities for developing and applying professional skills, learning, and networking. Summer career-related experiences can provide great stepping stones including:

• Skill building opportunities
• Chance to “try on” working or contributing in a particular work environment
• Opportunities to network with current colleagues, family, friends, and community members. 

Support your student in engaging in experience building opportunities and growing and maintaining positive relationships.  Personal and professional networks provide pathways for students to engage, find support, gather information, share insights, and learn about potential career paths and opportunities. The Spring and Summer months can be a great time of year to Reflect, Prep, and Step into life and career goals. 

• Kristin Nisbet-White, Associate Director for Career Education and Outreach, Center for Career and Professional Development