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Maximizing your Break

How to Maximize your Break


Congratulations on finishing the semester; we’re so proud of all that you’ve accomplished! Summer, winter, and spring breaks are a time to recharge, reflect, and continue your career development. The key to maximizing your break is to develop clear goals, and boost your capacity to achieve them. Most importantly, take a step back and look at the big picture: what do you want out of this time? 

Explore Career Options & Develop Relevant Skills

  • Take advantage of free online webinars, courses, certification etc. to continue building your marketability such as: LinkedIn Learning  EdX  Coursera  
  • Work on a project such as creating a personal website, writing a blog, or curating a portfolio of your work. Your project can help you develop new skills and provide an opportunity to showcase the skills you already have!
  • Network and set up informational interviews with alumni. The following resources are a great way to find Dickinson alum in your field of interest: Dickinson Career Community (LinkedIn Group) | Alumni Directory. You can also check out our online guide to informational interviewing. 
  • Listen to podcasts about careers/industries in which you are interested. Several great ones are outlined on the following sites: Career Builder  LinkedIn  Player FM
  • Explore a variety of online resources to discover more about the career(s) in which you are interested. Check out our long list of Career Exploration Resources 
  • Try a “virtual work experience” (a simulation of the work done in that field) 
  • Analyze the job descriptions for positions you might be interested in pursuing and identify the skills and qualifications the employer is seeking. Use the time you have over this break to enhance your  development in these areas. How can you maximize your strengths? Improve potential weaknesses?

Gain Relevant Experience

  • Search for job and internship opportunities. Use the search term ‘Dson Connected’ to find positions posted by alumni, many of whom are usually willing to be contacted directly about the position. Make sure to develop a “pivot” strategy that will allow you to easily adapt if your first-choice industry is not hiring. Check out Handshake and Indeed to find opportunities.

  • If you’re in an internship right now, inquire about the possibility of extending it through the break.

  • Look for volunteer experience. Any experience is good experience. Try searching for local opportunities and in an area you might want to pursue as a career— i.e. volunteering at a museum if you like art history. You can also search for volunteer opportunities on sites like Idealist and, Volunteer Match. Volunteer Match has added features to help you connect with virtual positions. 

  • Apply for a micro-project/micro-internship through Dickinson’s partnership with Parker-Dewey. These are paid, short-term, remote projects that give you the chance to hone and demonstrate your skills.

Continue Your Education 

  • Take an 8 to 10 week boot camp course

  • Start developing your senior thesis project

  • Continue developing your language skills, or learn a new language

  • As a Pennsylvania college student you have access to free LinkedIn Learning classes through the Philadelphia Free Library!

Prepare for Graduate School

Get Ready for the Life After Dickinson 

  • Take an online professional etiquette course

  • Explore the cost of living in the geographic area you would like to be in

  • Start honing your “real-life skills.” Utilize Dickinson iGrad to begin exploring:

  • Budgeting
  • Credit Cards
  • Lease vs. finance
  • Loan deferment
  • Taxes
  • Home buying

(and above all…) Take Care of Yourself!

  • Your well being is always important. No matter what your circumstances, do your best to support your physical and mental health. Dickinson’s Wellness Center has shared resources and recommendations