Summer Plans – Turning a Negative into a Positive

COVID-19 has impacted summer plans worldwide.  High school students planned to take the SAT and/or ACT only to have them cancelled and the universities they planned to apply to have forgone their testing requirement for the upcoming application cycle.  College students’ summer internship plans were cancelled or are now remote.  Others lost full time employment opportunities and are searching for new jobs.  Below are some options to have a meaningful summer in spite of unforeseen changes in circumstance.

1.     Learn something new, expand your knowledge base, or prepare for a placement exam: Coursera offers free courses to university and college students through July 31st - https://www.coursera.org/for-university-and-college-students?utm_medium=email&utm_source=marketing&utm_campaign=a_5jUKUoEeqxW2EAYUwV1Q.  

2.     No one truly knows how the virus will impact the 2020-2021 academic year.  Take some time this summer to reflect on your remote learning experience from spring 2020.  What challenges did you experience?  Think about how you could address these issues in the event remote learning goes into effect next year.  Also consider what went well and write down the positive strategies you utilized.  Think about why these strategies worked and if they could be adapted to your resolve some of your challenges.

3.     Review and update your resume.  What skills would you like to add to your resume?  Can you secure these skills through online courses this summer?  Does your resume need help?  Shannon Connelly, a former Penn colleague is a resume writer and career coach.  She can be reached at: shannon@myprofessionalbest.com.  One of my former students, Vaibhav Goel started a free resume service called “ResumeUP” for anyone affected by the pandemic.  If you are searching for new employment and need resume assistance, sign up for a free 20-minute session with an experienced professional relevant to your industry at https://resumeup.squarespace.com/.

4.     Some people have more time now because they are working from home and no longer need to commute to work, are furloughed, or unable to travel for their vacation.  Why not try to capitalize on this free time?  Reach out to your university’s Career Services Office and ask to be connected with alumni in your industry of interest.  Do not forget about your personal networks, talk to family, friends, and neighbors about your career interests and ask if they know anyone currently working in your desired field.  Try to reach out to one new contact a week.  Keep track of who you speak with, what you discuss, and any takeaways.

5.     Make memories.  Have a picnic or take a hike with friends and/or family.  Know someone who is celebrating a special occasion this summer (graduation, birthday, anniversary)?  Devise a plan to make the occasion extra special and recruit others to help!

6.     Did your income source for the summer dry up?  Think creatively about your skillset.  Can you give swim, tennis, or coding lessons?  Could you tutor those who fell behind due to remote learning in the spring?  Could you provide babysitting services to families who had planned to send their kids to a shuttered summer camp?  Consider helping those in your neighborhood with yard care or if you are mechanically inclined fixing lawn care machines.   Although these options might not sound as glamorous as interning in a major city, these jobs will expand your interpersonal skills which you will use in future work experiences.

7.     Instead of preparing for the SAT or the ACT, pivot your focus to your college essays.  If you need help, secure a writing coach.  Need a recommendation, consider JBH Tutoring - https://jbhtutoring.com.  

8.    Practice Meditation.  There is a great deal of unrest and uncertainty at the moment.  No matter whether you are in high school, college, or in the real world, learning how to settle your mind in stressful times will benefit you.  If you do not already meditate, start now.  It is as important as eating well, exercising, and getting enough rest.

9.     Entering college in the fall?  Reach out to anyone you know who already attends your institution.  Ask about their freshmen experience.  What did they expect their first year experience to be like and how did their expectations match the real experience?  Ask if they have any suggestions for you to make friends or succeed in classes.  Also inquire about their remote learning experience this past spring and if they have any tips.

10.  Have FUN!!!  As the Administrative Director of the Management and Technology Program, many high school graduates asked me for suggestions on how to spend summer before entering college.  My advice was to have fun.  Once you enter college there will be pressure to have a summer internship each summer and then you will be employed for all your future summers until retirement.  Now, I would recommend focusing on taking one course or getting a part-time job, reach out to one person in your preferred industry a week, and then concentrate on having fun with your friends, your family, and most importantly, yourself.