Dashing through the snow on a one horse open sleigh, o’er the fields we go, using winter break to prepare for potential employment opportunities…
Oftentimes, winter break is a time for family and relaxation; however, this time can also be utilized to prepare for the upcoming semester. There are spring internships and jobs, summer internships, as well as career options for those who plan to graduate in May.
Shane Blocker, the assistant director of career services, said it is important to begin the career and internship search as soon as possible. More and more spring internship applications are closing, so time is imperative. He encourages students to use the break to research jobs, job requirements, companies and locations.
“It’s really important to not wait around for spring to start to really start looking for opportunities,” Blocker said.
The break can also provide extra time to update or even create a resume. The DSU Career Center webpage provides useful resources, links and resume examples. Then, when school is back in session, you can make an appointment with the Career Center to get help polishing your resume.
Career coach Gina Gottfredson said it is critical to have a good resume, whether you are graduating in May or continuing on with your education. Employers take an average of 30 seconds to review a resume before making a decision on the applicant, which is why the first impression matters.
Taylor Purifoy, a junior business administration major from Roy, said she doesn’t usually think about employment preparedness over the break; but she makes sure to update her resume often. Purifoy’s main focus for her winter break is mainly her family.
Before trying to tackle career exploration and preparation, Gottfredson said students should take time to relax, rest and unwind.
“[Students] work so hard and life is so crazy that it’s really important for them to have a break and enjoy time doing what they love to do or being with friends and family,” Gottfredson said. “Maybe catch up on sleep or catch up doing other things that sometimes go by the wayside when they’re so busy during the semester.”
After catching up on family, friends and most importantly, sleep, students should set aside 20 to 60 minutes a day, or just pack it into one or two days to research opportunities that interest them and make sure their resumes and online presences are up to date.
“I think it’s a good idea [to look for jobs over the break] because when the new semester starts and people leave, they will be looking for new [employees],” Purifoy said.
Blocker suggests dedicating the time between New Year’s and the beginning of the spring semester to get back into the school mentality and the career mentality as well.
“[It’s] OK taking a week or two off… enjoy family time and then buckle down,” Blocker said.
Gottfredson recommends students visit career.dixie.edu and dixie.joinhandshake.com over the break, and schedule an appointment with a career coach for the spring.
Executing these tasks will help students prepare for the Career Center’s 2018 Summer Employment Fair on Jan. 30 and the 2018 Spring Career & Internship Fair on Feb. 20.
