Making the Most of Your Summer Through Personal Development

If you are in the middle of your studies or waiting to graduate, summer is the perfect time to reset, recharge and think about your next steps. While we all hope for sunny days and time to relax, the summer break can also be a great opportunity to build your skills, explore your interests and take small steps towards your future goals.

There are lots of simple and flexible ways to develop yourself that can help you grow personally and professionally. In this blog, we share ideas for making the most of your summer through activities that go beyond paid employment, from volunteering and learning something new to starting a personal project or finding a mentor.

Activities to Make the Most of Your Summer Break

Become a Volunteer

Volunteering is a great way to build your skills, gain experience, grow your network and support a good cause at the same time. There are lots of different options, from one-off opportunities to regular roles, and you can volunteer in person or online. Some roles, such as being a telephone volunteer, only require an hour a week, but the skills and experience you gain can be extremely valuable.

Think about the skills you would like to develop and look for opportunities that help you build these. You can search for roles on websites like CharityJob, Reach Volunteering, or check out local charities that support causes you care about.

Complete a Virtual Internship

Virtual internships are a great way to explore different industries and build experience from home. They usually involve completing tasks or job simulations designed by well-known employers. These programmes are flexible and self-paced, so you can do them around your summer plans. Once finished, you’ll get a certificate to add to your CV or LinkedIn profile.

Websites like The Forage and Springpod offer a wide range of free virtual programmes in areas such as law, finance, marketing, engineering, healthcare, and more. You can select ones that interest you and build useful skills while gaining a sense of what an industry is like.

Gain Additional Certifications

You might want to use your summer to complete extra certifications that you can add to your CV. Websites like Free Courses England and the Open University offer a range of free online courses. These are usually self-paced, so you can complete them in your own time.

Courses cover a wide range of skills, from communication (such as presenting or active listening) to more technical or industry-specific skills, including coding and mental health awareness.

Start a Personal Project

If it’s hard to find industry-specific experience, why not create your own? Starting a personal project shows initiative and helps you to build practical skills. It also gives you something to talk about in applications or interviews. Personal projects are a great way to learn by doing, and they show employers that you’re proactive, motivated and genuinely interested in a profession.

For example, if you’re interested in marketing, you could start a blog, grow a social media page or create a campaign for a brand you admire. Thinking about finance? Try tracking a mock investment portfolio, building a budget tool or researching company reports.

Seek Out a Mentor

Mentors can be a great way to learn from someone who’s already been through the steps you’re about to take. A good mentor can give you career advice, help you explore your options and even grow your network. You could find a mentor through a formal programme, or reach out to someone informally, perhaps through a LinkedIn connection, a university contact, or someone from a platform like The Mentoring Club.

Before you meet, think about what you want to get from the conversation, what you’d like to ask, and how you’ll follow up on their advice. Being prepared shows you’re serious and helps you make the most of it.

Develop Your Knowledge

Spend some time learning more about subjects or industries that interest you. You could listen to podcasts, join a mailing list, follow a blog, or attend free online workshops or networking events.

Being curious and taking time to learn about the world of work shows motivation and helps you feel more confident when applying for jobs. You might even discover a new area that interests you or find opportunities you hadn’t thought of before.