7 Easy Things To Do On “Summer Break” For Your Career Development
Updated: Jan 22, 2024
Written by: Ibiyemi Balogun, Executive Contributor
Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise.
It’s June, the sun is out, the days are longer, many professionals are on vacation, career development slows down, summer hours are in effect and the kids are off from school. You might be tempted to let it all hang out literally and metaphorically but here are a few things you can do to set yourself up for a great rejuvenating summer and a successful transition into the fall season.
To help you, I've created a list of 7 EASY things you can do while on summer break to impact your career development.
Find a community group - The summertime is a great time for relatively low-stakes passive networking opportunities. With public health restrictions almost completely lifted, there are more and more opportunities for in-person summer socials. Groups like LeanIn Canada, MondayGirl, BPTN, and so many others are doing meet & greets with patio vibes that take the “STRESS” out of networking. Build the network in the summer, leverage it in the fall.
Clean up your DRIVES! - it's so easy to “get things done” by any means necessary during your busy seasons so when you have lulls in an activity like in the summer, use the opportunity to get organized for a better, more productive fall season.
Passive Learning - Take this time with more daylight hours to sit on your deck, patio, or condo balcony to do some passive learning. Maybe you put on your favorite industry podcast or you read a GREAT book about a winning mindset, the choice is yours. It’s a great time to do this because there is arguably less pressure in the workplace and at home because the warm weather adds a level of lightness to everything.
Be Intentional about rest - During the summer, companies tend to give their employees incentives to rest with wellness initiatives like “No meeting Fridays” or “summer hours”. Instead of just watching mindless TV as a way to unplug or getting stuck in Friday traffic for a weekend getaway, consider being intentional about rest. Identify what activities give you energy, and what ones inspire rest and relaxation and make a list. Pull out a different activity each week and practice active resting.
Work on those projects that you PUT off during the busyness of year-end, fall recruitment season, back-to-school retail season, upcoming holiday shopping season, and everything in between. Of course, not all industries are slower in the summertime so map it out according to your industry and DON'T forget to document your progress.
Travel - I know that in the current economy, travel might be hard for most people but it doesn't have to be expensive. You can go to small towns to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city or you can plan wine tours, food festivals, etc. Travel expands your perspective and is an opportunity to learn about other cultures and experiences.
Enjoy yourself - You have worked hard all year; the dreary winter months are behind you and the sunny summer days are here, use this opportunity to truly find JOY! Try to do something fun every day, make the weekends last, and experience the outdoors.
No matter how you choose to spend your summer, the goal is to come back refreshed, rested, and ready to take on the BUSY fall season at work.
Till next time,
Your Career Coach
Ibiyemi
Ibiyemi Balogun, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine
Recognized as Talent Egg’s 2020 Career Coach of the Year, Ibiyemi Balogun is a Career Coach who helps professionals not only attain but SUSTAIN meaningful careers. As the Founder of Foot In The Door (FITD) Consulting, Ibiyemi works with professionals in Business and Technology. She is passionate about supporting underrepresented professionals and has been featured and spoken at Black Professionals in Tech Network BPTN, Accelerate Her Future and TorontoJobs. Ibiyemi has an MBA in entrepreneurship & social innovation with an extensive 7+ year background in Diversity Recruitment, Career Services, and Business Development. Ibiyemi currently works full time at the Ted Rogers School of Management at Ryerson University as a Manager of Graduate Careers & Student Engagement supporting MBA's with their career journey.
