How to Help Your Student Build Their Resume Over Break!

During the winter break, we certainly want your student to spend lots of time with family and friends and get some R&R (rest and relaxation)! However, students' hometowns and communities are full of opportunities to build their resume, make career connections, and continue learning outside of the classroom.  

•  Find a Job Shadow - Job Shadowing (or clinical observation) is a great way to learn more about a particular occupation. Most shadows involve observing a typical day, either a full day or part of a day, with a professional at their place of work. Shadows give an opportunity to ask specific questions about a particular occupation, understand organizational cultures, and help expand professional networks. Shadows are particularly useful if students are undecided about their major or career options that may evolve from their major. Additional tips and advice for planning and making the most of a shadow experience are available on the Career Services Shadowing & Professional Observation webpage.  
• Conduct an Informational Interview - Informational interviewing is the process of gathering career information from people who are working in occupations, organizations, and/or geographic locations that align with students' interests. People enjoy sharing information about their career, and it's easy to start with family or friends you already know. Then, they can help you make connections for additional opportunities. Unlike shadowing experiences that happen on-site, informational interviews can happen in person, via video, via phone, or through e-mail, so it opens up even more possibilities for students. Questions students might ask in an information interview are available on the Career Services Networking webpage.   
• Find a volunteer opportunity - Part-time employment can be difficult to find during the few weeks of winter break, but volunteering is a great way to continue to develop professional skills, build networks, and serve the local community. Students can research service opportunities through https://www.volunteermatch.org/, local United Way, or by contacting organizations in their communities with whom they are already familiar.  

As a reminder, all Drake students are automatically provided a profile in Handshake, our on-campus, online job platform. Handshake connects students to tons of on-campus work, part-time or full-time employment opportunities, internships, and other career events.  

Speaking of events... please encourage your students to save-the-date for the University Career Fair on Thursday, February 13 from 3-6pm in Upper Olmsted. Business professional attire is expected.