The end of every year is full of huge changes - some students have graduated, some are much closer to graduation, and some are just entering college. No matter what stage of the college process you are in, every single student needs a chance to relax after a long year of classes. Summer is the best time for relaxation, but it is also a great time to plan for your future. There are many steps you can take this summer to help reach your career goals:

1. First, it is important to set up a strong and professional LinkedIn account. This can help you establish strong connections with previous and potential employers who could potentially be very helpful in future job searches. The Career Center website has agreat resource to help you get started creating your account.

LinkedIn can also help you network with UMBC alumni. The Career Center has a LinkedIn group for students to network with alumni that can be foundhere, called the UMBC Alumni-Student Networking Group. I would definitely suggest that you request entry into the group – networking opportunities are an important part of the career search and the earlier you start the more connections you will have in the future.

1. Summer is also a great time to perfect your resume. There are many helpful resources online, likethis career guide andthis page of our website. The Career Center will also be open this summer, so stopping in for a drop-in appointment or making a longer appointment with a career counselor is an option. Resumes may not be the most fun to update, but they are important when you are searching for a job.

1. Finally, it is always important to further explore career options. Although most people have a goal and a dream job, it may be important to plan a way to achieve that goal. Some people may still be undecided as to what exactly they plan to do with their lives, and this is a great time to explore options.

Last summer, I spent weeks thinking about my future and my major, and I eventually realized that I needed to change my focus within my major. I am now much more content and am much more positive about my future than I was at the end of last year. I would definitely suggest taking the time to think and plan this summer because it will be much easier and less stressful without classes as a distraction.

There are many Career Center resources that can provide ideas about how your major can transfer into a future career, like theMajor Sheets and theLinks by Major. Making appointments with career counselors can also be very helpful in developing realistic future goals, so if you are stressing over your future it may be helpful to contact the career center.