Prepare for the School Year Ahead
Ah, summer. A time all college students look forward to — dreaming of summer days at the pool or beach and the joys of having no class for three months.
These three months give students an ample amount of time to look back at the previous year and to get ready for the school year ahead. Below are a few ways to make this summer productive and get ready for your best school year yet.
1. Revamp your resume. Just the thought of editing your resume may seem daunting, especially because so many websites with resume tips and tricks seem to all suggest different things. I recommend getting in touch with your career center office and asking for personalized feedback and edits on your current resume.
2. Create a personal website. Almost everything is online today. A personal website is a good way to expand on your resume and it can be longer than one page!
3. Build your writing portfolio. My public relations writing professor made the point that bringing a professional writing portfolio with you to a job interview with press releases, fliers, feature articles, etc. will help you stand out among your peers. This shows the employer that you not only have work samples you are confident in, but also that you are prepared and interested in the internship or job. Make sure your portfolio has a cover page and that your writing samples look professional and organized by placing them in clear plastic sheets. If you’re looking for ways to get more writing samples, you can write for Progressions!
4. Set measurable goals for next year. Setting SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant and Timely) goals for the new school year can provide you with a timeline and game plan to reach your full potential. Where are you hoping to intern? Do you hope to make Dean’s list? Having a list of goals will help you be prepared to tackle next school year.
So take a break from pool time and prepare for the school year ahead — you won’t regret that you did.
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Cayli Allen is a public relations major at Belmont University in Nashville, Tennessee, where she serves as the Chapter president of PRSSA. She also interns in the Radio Marketing Department of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. You can chat with her on Twitter: @Cayli_Allen.
