Undergraduate Blog / Defining Your Babson

Get ahead this Spring Break

Written by Lee Goldstein, Associate Director – newest member of the Undergraduate Center for Career Development Team!

All through college, spring break was a time for me to go home, return to my part-time job at the mall, and earn some money.  Although some of my friends would come back to campus with a tan, I’d at least come back with a few extra bucks in my wallet.  Little did I know then, the customer service and training skills I was acquiring would reflect favorably on my upcoming job search.

Not all students have an opportunity to travel or go away for the week.  Spring Break is an ideal time to get ahead, do some great research, and develop your future career. 

Here are a few ways to be productive this spring break:

Internship Search

Still looking for a summer internship?

Take a close look at your network.  Research Babson alumni in your desired industries.  Utilize the Babson College Community, Babson’s official group on LinkedIn, which has over 6,700 members!  The Career Affinity Networks (CANs) offer industry-specific panel/keynote presentations and networking forums. Each CAN has a presence on LinkedIn including consulting, consumer products and retail, financial services, and entrepreneurship.

 

Attend networking events and professional development opportunities.  Research professional associations such as: American Management Association, Business Professionals of America, Financial Management Association, Academy of Management, and Product Development and Management Association.

Take time to really concentrate on your applications.  Tailor your resume and cover letter.  Evaluate and update your professional references.

 

Be sure to utilize social media effectively.  If you’re interested in interning in NYC follow twitter handles like @nyadjobs and @nyinternships.  Interested in sports?  Try @WorkSportsJobs and @WorkinSoccer.

 

Work on Skills Development

Need to develop your language skills?  Check out resources like Duolingo (free!)  Want to learn how to code?  Codecademy is also free.  Interested in speed reading? College Info Geek can help!

You can also acquire great soft skills by volunteering.  This includes leadership, teamwork and relationship skills, self-management, problem-solving and adaptability.  Interested in advocacy and human rights?  Board Development? Check out volunteermatch.org for opportunities in your area.

Connect with Undergraduate CCD

We are open over Spring Break!  The career advisers can meet in person, over Skype, or by phone.  Advising appointments are recommended for internship and job search strategy sessions, self-assessments, mock interviews and other in-depth career discussions.​​  Visit http://www.babson.edu/student-life/career-development/undergraduate/about-us/Pages/home.aspx for appointments and questions.