--- title: An MBA Student’s Guide on How to Take Advantage of Summer Without Losing Your Mind description: "An MBA Student’s Guide on How to Take Advantage of Summer Without Losing Your Mind\n5 ways students can get ahead before the next school year hits." image: https://businessstories.sandiego.edu/hubfs/Alumni%20Blogs%20Thoughtful%20Leader%20Header%20Image%20Template%20(Blog%20Banner)%20(1)-1.png --- [Skip Navigation](https://businessstories.sandiego.edu/an-mba-students-guide-on-how-to-take-advantage-of-summer-without-losing-your-mind#main) [![University of San Diego](https://businessstories.sandiego.edu/hubfs/KROC/%5BKROC%5D%20Branding%20Assets/logo-usd.png)](https://www.sandiego.edu/) [Knauss School of Business](https://www.sandiego.edu/business/) - [Academics](https://www.sandiego.edu/business/academics/) - [Student Experience](https://www.sandiego.edu/business/graduate/) - [Admissions & Aid](https://www.sandiego.edu/business/centers-and-institutes/) - [Faculty & Research](https://www.sandiego.edu/business/faculty-and-staff/) - [Centers & Institutes](https://www.sandiego.edu/business/student-resources/) - [About](https://www.sandiego.edu/business/about/) ## Information for - [Alumni](https://www.sandiego.edu/business/about/alumni/) - [Current Students](https://www.sandiego.edu/business/student-experience/current-students/) - [Faculty](https://my.sandiego.edu/mysandiegoportal/employee/ksbFacultyStaffResources) - [Staff](https://my.sandiego.edu/mysandiegoportal/employee/ksbFacultyStaffResources) Resources Menu Search [Request Info](https://businessresources.sandiego.edu/all-grad-programs) SITE NAV - [Academics](https://www.sandiego.edu/business/academics/) - [Student Experience](https://www.sandiego.edu/business/graduate/) - [Admissions & Aid](https://www.sandiego.edu/business/centers-and-institutes/) - [Faculty & Research](https://www.sandiego.edu/business/faculty-and-staff/) - [Centers & Institutes](https://www.sandiego.edu/business/student-resources/) - [About](https://www.sandiego.edu/business/about/) TORERO RESOURCES [MySanDiego](https://my.sandiego.edu/) [Email](http://toreromail.sandiego.edu/) [Blackboard](https://blackboard.sandiego.edu/) [Directory](https://www.sandiego.edu/directory/) [Calendar](https://www.sandiego.edu/events) [Bookstore](https://www.usdtorerostores.com/) [Libraries](https://www.sandiego.edu/academics/libraries.php) [Maps](https://www.sandiego.edu/maps/) [Public Safety](https://www.sandiego.edu/safety) SEARCH *Search* TOP SEARCH RESULTS [academic calendars](https://my.sandiego.edu/) [majors](https://www.sandiego.edu/academics/majors-and-minors.php) [tuition](https://www.sandiego.edu/admission-and-aid/tuition-and-financial-aid.php) [jobs](https://www.sandiego.edu/jobs/) [housing](https://www.sandiego.edu/student-experience/housing.php) [study abroad](https://www.sandiego.edu/global/study-abroad.php) [transcripts](https://www.sandiego.edu/one-stop/student-records/transcripts.php) [The Thoughtful Leader](https://businessstories.sandiego.edu/) [\[Back to Blog\]](https://businessstories.sandiego.edu/) # An MBA Student’s Guide on How to Take Advantage of Summer Without Losing Your Mind ![](https://businessstories.sandiego.edu/hubfs/Alumni%20Blogs%20Thoughtful%20Leader%20Header%20Image%20Template%20(Blog%20Banner)%20(1)-1.png) July 30, 2025 [By Knauss School of Business](https://businessstories.sandiego.edu/author/knauss-school-of-business) Summer is probably my favorite time of the year for all of the new years resolutions I’ve put on hold. It’s my “catch up on literally everything I’ve ever wanted to do in my life” season. Whether it’s learning a new language (I’m looking at you duolingo Korean), fixing my posture, or finally learning how to cook, I don’t always know what to focus on. Going into the final year of my MBA, I’ve learned that with a little intention, summer can be the perfect time to prep for the upcoming school year. Here are 5 things I’m doing this summer that might help you too. Listen to An MBA Student’s Guide on How to Take Advantage of Summer Without Losing Your Mind 4:01 *Audio produced by Hubspot using AI narration.* ## 5 Ways Students Can Get Ahead Before the Next School Year Hits ### 1. Earn A Certification (Seriously It’s Free) Didn’t land an internship? Same, but that doesn’t mean you can’t take advantage of your USD-provided Coursera access to grow and certify your skillset. Support your career goals with a relevant certification. These can be resume gold, but it’s also a great opportunity to start learning a new niche. *(Just a few)* Free Coursera options for you: - - [Google Data Analytics](https://www.coursera.org/programs/university-of-san-di-google-learning-program-junad/professional-certificates/google-data-analytics) - [Google Cybersecurity](https://www.coursera.org/programs/university-of-san-di-google-learning-program-junad/professional-certificates/google-cybersecurity) - [Google Project Management](https://www.coursera.org/programs/university-of-san-di-google-learning-program-junad/professional-certificates/google-project-management) - [Google Digital Marketing & E-Commerce](https://www.coursera.org/programs/university-of-san-di-google-learning-program-junad/professional-certificates/google-digital-marketing-ecommerce) - [Google IT Support](https://www.coursera.org/programs/university-of-san-di-google-learning-program-junad/professional-certificates/google-it-support) - [Google UX Design](https://www.coursera.org/programs/university-of-san-di-google-learning-program-junad/professional-certificates/google-ux-design) - [Google Advanced Data Analytics](https://www.coursera.org/programs/university-of-san-di-google-learning-program-junad/professional-certificates/google-advanced-data-analytics) ### 2. Work On A Passion Project Passion projects can be fun and fulfilling. Plus, they are a great opportunity to demonstrate your abilities while adding valuable metrics to your resume. Working towards a marketing concentration? Try to grow or even monetize a social media account, design a website, maybe even start a podcast with your friends. Pick something you’d be proud to talk about in an interview. ### 3. Touch Up Your Resume Graduation gets closer with every summer. Get job-app-ready by refreshing your resume and future you will thank you! Refine your wording and tailor yourself towards the roles you are aiming for. Double-check for typos, and update for new experiences and skills while those recent course projects are still fresh in your mind. Trust me, you won’t want to do this while you’re 12 safari tabs deep trying to study for your Law, Policy, and Ethics exams. ### 4. Build Your Portfolio (Especially If You Haven’t Yet) *Hear me out.* Making my portfolio was the first thing I would postpone, and the last thing I wanted to do. The possibility of getting rejected from a job *because* of my work terrified me. But it turns out, not having a portfolio cost me a majority of my interviews. You don’t need it to be perfect, but just two or three samples of work you’re proud of will be plenty to start. Let your layout, visuals, and branding evolve as you do–this is going to be a living, breathing testament to you. You can even create an online portfolio through cheap (or free) sites like Canva!  ### 5. Update Your LinkedIn  Honestly, I never saw my LinkedIn as valuable until grad school, but the truth is a polished profile can do a lot of heavy lifting when it comes to networking. With a ready-to-go profile, you can jump on any new internship/job postings and you’ll be set up to make a great first impression to any potential referrals. Here’s a mini self-audit perfect for summer: - Do you have a professional photo (no mirror selfies)? - Does your headline say what you do *and* what you want professionally? - Have you updated your summary section with new skills, internships, or certifications? - Are all of your notable school projects, awards and freelance wins listed? - Have you added any new connections? Friends, professors, and those who work at your dream company are all on the table! - Did you know you could also do a year’s or summer’s recap post to remind everyone you did *that*? Whether you’re spending your summer working, chilling, or spiraling, rest assured there are always small wins you can collect to set yourself up for a smoother school year. Take it one goal at a time, enjoy the break, and see you in the fall! – Antonio Flores, MBA class of 2026 [![Request More Information](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/6041001/849180cd-6ba0-4409-834b-ba0895d6104c.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/6041001/849180cd-6ba0-4409-834b-ba0895d6104c) [![MBA Career Guide](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/6041001/0f543bb4-9a20-4b5a-838b-c02b576f8938.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/6041001/0f543bb4-9a20-4b5a-838b-c02b576f8938) More from the Blog ## Recommended Posts MBA ### Full-Time, Part-Time, Flex and Beyond: Decoding and Comparing Different Types of MBAs August 3, 2026 MBA ### Career Change? Explore How an MBA Helps Professionals Reinvent Themselves July 6, 2026 MBA ### What is a STEM MBA? How Does it Differ From a Traditional MBA? December 10, 2025 Alumni ### Why I Joined the Knauss School of Business’ Mentorship Program As Grad Student (And Why You Should Too) August 12, 2025 MBA ### What Can an MBA Graduate Do? 5 Qualities Hiring Managers Look For July 16, 2025 MBA ### Exploring the Versatile Benefits of an MBA Across Diverse Industries June 10, 2025 MBA ### How AI Impacts Business Intelligence May 28, 2025 Alumni ### Alumni Spotlight: The MSBA Experience with Jade Worrall '24 May 20, 2025 Alumni ### Alumni Spotlight: The Master's in Finance Experience with Francesco Chirulli ’22 April 28, 2025 [Back to Blog](https://businessstories.sandiego.edu/) ### ### [![Knauss School of Business - University of San Diego](https://businessstories.sandiego.edu/hs-fs/hubfs/Number%20%26%20Dates%20Square%20(500%20x%20240%20px)-1.png?width=250&height=120&name=Number%20%26%20Dates%20Square%20(500%20x%20240%20px)-1.png)](https://www.sandiego.edu/business) Knauss Center for Business Education5998 Alcalá Park San Diego, CA 92110 [(619) 260-4830](tel:(619)%20260-4830) [View Directory](https://www.sandiego.edu/directory/?alpha=&expert=&division_id=NaN&office_department_id=39&sub_department_id=NaN&sub_unit_id=NaN&user_type=&list_view_type=box-view&filter_type=&group_id=&show_image=&details_button=hide-details-button&row_limit=24&state=NaNamp;&usd_expert_keyword=&department_filter_type=0&filter_action=clicks) ## Helpful links - [Maps & Directions](https://www.sandiego.edu/maps/) - [Request Info](https://www.sandiego.edu/admission-and-aid/undergraduate/connect/) - [Jobs at USD](https://www.sandiego.edu/jobs/) - [Make a Gift](https://www.sandiego.edu/giving/) - [Apply](https://www.sandiego.edu/admission-and-aid/) - [Degrees & Programs](https://www.sandiego.edu/academics/) - [Colleges & Schools](https://www.sandiego.edu/academics/college-and-schools.php) - [Offices & Departments](https://www.sandiego.edu/directory/) - [Education Partners](https://www.fst.edu/) - [Libraries](https://www.sandiego.edu/academics/libraries.php) © 2026 University of San Diego. 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