Summer is finally here, which means warmer weather, longer days, and hopefully some time to relax by the pool! While summer is a great time to catch some sun, it’s also a great time to build your resume and explore future career interests. In a recent episode of Countdown2College, Gage spoke with Allison Docter, a career coach at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, about how students can use summer to grow their skills, gain experience, and still make time to recharge.

Is summer a good time to build your resume?

Absolutely! Allison explained that summer can be an ideal time to focus on resume-building because schedules are often less busy than during the school year. Students don’t need a formal internship or an impressive job title to gain valuable experience, either. Part-time jobs, volunteering, sports, clubs, hobbies, and leadership roles can all help students build communication, teamwork, and responsibility skills that belong on a resume.

What does a productive summer look like?

A productive summer is more about quality than quantity. Instead of trying to stay busy every second, students should focus on opportunities that help them grow or explore their existing interests. That could mean shadowing someone in healthcare, preparing for a speech or sport, volunteering, or trying something completely new. The goal is to spend part of the summer with intention while still taking time to relax.

How can students explore career paths during the summer?

Summer is a great time to ask questions and learn more about different careers. Students can talk with teachers, counselors, coaches, family members, and others in their community about what they do for work and the skills they use daily. Students can also get creative with activities they already enjoy. For example, Allison shared that a student interested in data science could track baseball statistics and turn them into a meaningful project that builds problem-solving and leadership skills.

What can you do to grow your resume this summer?

Students can build their resume in many ways during the summer, including:

• Getting a part-time job.
• Volunteering in the community.
• Shadowing someone in a field of interest.
• Turning hobbies or activities into projects that develop skills.
• Preparing for leadership roles or activities for the next school year.

Even small experiences can help students learn more about themselves and provide meaningful examples to include in future resumes or applications.

What if you cannot get a summer job?

Not every student can work during the summer, and that is completely okay. Students may spend their summers helping family, traveling, taking classes, or participating in activities instead. Allison also emphasized the importance of reflection and journaling. Taking time to think about what you enjoyed, what challenged you, and what you learned can help you better understand your interests and strengths for the future.

How can you make your resume stronger?

One of the biggest resume mistakes students make is only explaining what they did, not how they did it or why it mattered. Strong resumes go beyond listing responsibilities and highlight the impact of the experience. For example, instead of only saying you worked as a barista, explain how you communicated with customers, solved problems, or created a positive experience. Those details help employers and colleges better understand your strengths.

How can you balance resume-building and rest?

Summer should still feel like summer. Students who spent the school year balancing classes, sports, activities, and leadership opportunities may need summer to recharge, while others may want to use it to explore opportunities they did not have time for during the school year. Finding a balance between growth and relaxation can help students return to school feeling refreshed and confident.

Our final tips for making summer count!

You don’t need to have your whole future figured out right now. Instead of focusing on where you will be in 10 years, Allison recommends thinking about what you can do in the next 10 days or 10 weeks. That could mean learning a new skill, volunteering, updating your resume, or having conversations about careers that interest you. Career development happens through action, and even small steps can help students grow while still enjoying all the fun that summer brings.