Summer break is a precious time for students to unwind, recharge, and prepare for their future. While it’s important to relax and enjoy the season, it’s equally crucial for high school and middle school students to engage in activities that will help them discover their passions, develop essential skills, and gain valuable experience. In this blog post, we’ll explore three important activities that students should consider pursuing this summer to set themselves up for success in the fall and their future careers.
Making a Plan: Exploring Careers is one of the important steps involved in preparing for the future and one way students can do this is to start thinking about potential career paths. This summer, students should take the time to research different careers and consider their interests, skills, and values. By making a plan and setting goals, students can better understand the steps they need to take to achieve their career aspirations.
But remember, Rome wasn’t built in a day, and neither is a career plan. Allow yourself the grace to grow and adapt as you gain clarity and perspective. Keeping a Career Journey is a good step to implement here too.
Set SMART goals—Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound—to guide your journey and hold yourself accountable. With each step, you edge closer to unveiling the blueprint of your future.
Start by asking yourself some important questions: What are my interests? What am I good at? What kind of work environment do I thrive in? Use these questions to guide your research and explore various industries and job roles. You can also talk to professionals in the fields you’re interested in to gain a better understanding of what the work entails and what it takes to succeed. Let me know if there is a field you are interested in (amosthemathguy@gmail.com). While making a plan for the Summer, I want to encourage you to also review your math topics for the upcoming semester or this past school year. We have resources on AmosTheMathGuy.com to help.
Project-Based Learning: Summer is the perfect time for students to engage in project-based learning, where they can explore their interests and develop their skills in a hands-on manner. Whether it’s starting a blog, building a robot, or creating a short film, students should focus on projects they are passionate about. This not only helps them discover their strengths and interests but also allows them to develop essential skills such as problem-solving, critical thinking, and creativity.
This summer, I want to encourage you to take on a project. Whether it’s coding a website, composing a symphony, or launching a social initiative. Embrace the exhilarating journey of exploration and experimentation, unearthing hidden talents and honing essential skills along the way.
The possibilities are endless, and the key is to choose a project that aligns with your interests and allows you to learn and grow.
Job Shadowing and Mentoring Opportunities: To gain a better understanding of the professional world, students should seek out job shadowing and mentoring opportunities. By observing professionals in their desired field, students can learn about the day-to-day responsibilities and challenges of various careers. Additionally, having a mentor can provide valuable guidance, support, and networking opportunities.
Reach out to professionals in your community or participate in internships to gain hands-on experience in your desired field. You can also join mentorship programs or attend workshops to connect with professionals who can offer advice and support. By gaining exposure to the professional world, students can develop a better understanding of what it takes to succeed and make informed decisions about their future.
By engaging in these three activities, high school and middle school students can make the most of their summer break and set themselves up for success in their future careers. Whether it’s making a plan, pursuing passion projects, or seeking out job shadowing and mentoring opportunities, these activities will help students develop essential skills, gain valuable experience, and explore their interests.
If you’re interested in learning more about career preparation, mentoring, and guidance, especially for those interested in STEM fields, reach out to AmosTheMathGuy@gmail.com for information about my Career Prep program. We also have a program for high school students to get College Credits starting this fall through our partnership with LeTourneau University. Please visit Learningforexcellence.com for more information.