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.
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:
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
