Build your employability over the holidays
University holidays are a great way to mentally freshen up
after a long year, but that doesn’t mean you can’t further your career
prospects while you’re out of the classroom. There are plenty of
extracurricular activities available over the break that will bolster any
graduate’s CV, some of which can be very rewarding.
Whether you’re learning, teaching, practicing or lending a
hand, there is plenty to keep you busy over the summer break.
Volunteer
There is no shortage of ventures looking for volunteers. Soup
kitchens, meals on wheels, sporting clubs and many charities are constantly on
the hunt for people to help in different capacities, and contributing your time
free-of-charge is something looked favourably upon by prospective employers.
Tutor
Many primary and high school students require tutoring in an
assortment of different subjects, and this can be a great avenue to share your
expertise, develop your people skills and make some money. If you’re a
journalism major, teaching essay writing for VCE English could be your go,
while design students could assist high schoolers with their media and visual
communication studies.
Freelance
Using your skills to develop a portfolio is an excellent
strategy for boosting employability. Whether it’s writing blogs, creating
videos or designing websites, these projects can be referenced further down the
track and demonstrate initiative and a willingness to work. Plus, there’s a
chance you could be paid!
Online courses
Are you interested in refining your knowledge of a
particular subject? Perhaps you’re a marketing student who wants to learn basic
coding to complement your marketing skillset? Whatever your preference, there
are various short courses available online, many of which are free.
Chasing some more advice? We’ve got tips on how to approach
voluntourism, apply
at an Australian university and how to avoid
exploitation in the workplace.
