With the end of fall semester rapidly approaching and tests and papers piling up, your student is probably starting to daydream about all that they will do (or won't do) over their well-deserved break. While it's important for them to recharge their brains and bodies with plenty of sleep, delicious holiday dinners, rewarding conversations with their loved ones and probably a few Netflix binges, they should also spend a bit of this break thinking about their career.
Now, that doesn't mean they have to hunker down and work on their resume for the entirety of their break. While that's a bit of a hard-core (but sometimes much needed!) idea, we suggest taking a more personal and laid back approach to their career discovery over the holidays. When they're out and about seeing friends old and new, it's a great opportunity for them to network with some of the professionals in the fields they are interested in joining. Help them connect with the people you know in your life (friends, coworkers, family members) who may have some professional experience and advice that would help them with their career goals.
First, we suggest talking with your student about their dream job or dream employer. If they aren't sure what that looks like, maybe pull up some job listings for companies in your area and see if there's anything that piques their interest! Then, once they have a job or company in mind, try to rack your brain (and LinkedIn!) for any connections you might have that could assist. Maybe you've got a golf partner that now works in marketing, or a brother-in-law that has extensive experience with working in nonprofits — the possibilities are endless, and they're sure to be more than happy to help an up-and-coming college student with their questions and concerns.
Once you have connections in mind, remind your student to reach out! It can be daunting at first, but asking a few questions at a holiday party or sending a quick email is actually pretty painless. They'll be happier in the end that they reached out, and they will be all the better for it!
For more tips on helping your student prepare for their career path, contact University Career Services at careerservices@unl.edu or 402.472.3145.