Five things for your winter break to-do list

Winter break will be very soon and some students worry that they will feel antsy or look back and wish they could have done more with their time. Whether you have plans to intern or work on a project over break, or if you just want to make sure you get in some quality rest and relaxation, here’s a shortlist of things you can easily check off your list over break to make sure you come out the other side feeling refreshed AND productive.

1. Polish your résumé.
Have you checked out our extensive resources on this site yet? We have guides, examples, and all sorts of tips to help you create a résumé that highlights marketable skillsets, shows off relevant experience, and presents all of your information the way the communications industry wants to see it.

2. Update your LinkedIn profile
Once you have your résumé up-to-date, use your polished content to make sure your Linkedin profile is current, too. Having a profile that is current and includes a nice profile picture, cover photo, title, and links to work samples will serve you well in any job or internship search. Hear from LinkedIn how you can rock your profile here.

3. Learn something new.
Speaking of LinkedIn, log onto the site like you usually would, then click the “Learning” button in the upper right corner. This will allow you to log onto LinkedIn Learning with your netID and password. Then it’s up to you to decide what you want to learn! Pick up more LinkedIn navigation tips, learn about allyship, dive into audio mixing or interactive web content, or something completely different! There is so much to learn and you have the resources (and now that you’re on break, the TIME) to add a new skillset to your personal arsenal.

4. Create or update your own website/portfolio.
These days, employers expect that you will be able to show your work virtually. Having a website that shows off what you can do would be a great project to check off over break. There are many free sites that offer hosting, like WordPress or Wix, among many others, along with options that require a small fee. Gather your materials, consider the best way to display them, then get to work creating your site! (You can find lots of videos on creating online portfolios on LinkedIn Learning, too!)

5. Network (of course).
Do a little self inventory of who you know and when you spoke with each person last. Has it been a while? The holidays or new year offer you the perfect opportunity to reach out with a built-in reason: wishing the person well. We all know that the past year and a half has been a wild ride, so sending a quick note to someone who you haven’t touched base with in some time is a great way to reignite a connection. Send your festive greeting, ask/congratulate the person about something that they’re involved in, then provide an update of couple sentences to let them know what you have going on. It’s quick, painless, and low pressure. Then, a few weeks into the new year, it won’t be weird for you to reach out again with more networking questions to maintain or engage that connection. We, of course, have resources for you on networking so you can send those “holiday well wishes” emails with confidence. Check those out here.

That’s it! Even if you clear just one of these items over break, it will be time well spent. Make sure you give yourself plenty of time to rest and recharge, though. Health comes first! Have a well-deserved, wonderful winter break.