6 Ways to Jumpstart Your Career This Summer

Forget the idea that summer means hitting pause on your career. With a bit of intention, it's actually the perfect time to make smart moves toward your goals!

Summer often brings a slightly slower pace at work, giving you the mental space to refocus, learn, and grow. Whether you're dreaming of a promotion, a career switch, or just want to feel more energized in your work, summer is yours to seize.

Let's dive into actionable tips to help you take advantage of the season and get closer to where you want to be professionally.

Tip 1: Set Specific Goals

Don't just drift through summer expecting that career magic will suddenly happen in the Fall.  What do you REALLY want to achieve by the end of the year? More visibility at work? A promotion? New skills in a cutting-edge field?

✅ Action Step for You: Break down your big-picture goal into 2-3 smaller milestones you can aim for this summer. This makes progress feel achievable!

Tip 2: Invest in Yourself

Summer can provide the space for learning you don't always have in the whirlwind of your regular work schedule. Explore online courses, workshops, or even short certificate programs.

✅ Action Step for You: Choose one online course, workshop, or relevant book (or audiobook) and commit to completing it over the summer.

Tip 3: Network Strategically

Summer is buzzing with industry conferences, meetups, and even casual networking events. Don't go to everything – be strategic and pick the events that align with your career goals.

✅ Action Step for You: Identify two industry events (in-person or virtual) to attend this summer. Research attendees beforehand and set a goal to make at least one meaningful connection at each.

Tip 4: Take on a "Stretch" Project

Is there a project at work that has been on the back burner? One that feels a little intimidating but with big potential? Volunteer to lead it or play a key role.

✅ Action Step for You: Talk to your manager about taking a lead role on a project that pushes you outside your comfort zone, highlighting new skills.

Tip 5: Build Your Online Presence

Is your LinkedIn profile gathering dust? Summer is ideal for revamping it. Update your skills, headline, and summary to reflect your current focus.

✅ Action Step for You: Set aside 30 minutes a week to engage on LinkedIn – share industry insights, comment on others' posts, or write a short article.

Tip 6: Seek Out a Mentor (Or Be One)

Mentorship is a two-way street. If you've never had one, summer can be a great time to find a more experienced professional who can offer guidance tailored to your goals. Alternatively, consider reaching out to someone a few steps behind you on the career path.

✅ Action Step for You: Reach out to someone you admire in your field to ask for a short informational interview. If you're further along in your career, consider offering to mentor someone earlier on their journey.

The choice is yours: will you let summer slip by or will you harness it to level up your career? These strategies take effort but they're an investment in your future.

Remember, it's not about tackling everything at once – choose a few areas that will have the biggest impact.

You've got this!

P.S.

Would you like to explore how I can support your career goals? I offer a free 20-minute consultation to answer your questions and discuss how my services can help you achieve your objectives. To get a better idea of the topics we might cover, you can check out common questions, view my career packages, and book a session through this link.