Career Compass: Leveraging Your Winter Break

Ginger Lacy, Career Coach and Adjunct Lecturer | Posted on December 10, 2020

Leverage. It’s a word which is probably familiar to many of you. In the world of finance, leverage is any technique involving debt rather than equity in the purchase of an asset. But leverage also means: to use something to maximum advantage.

How will you leverage your Winter Break? Heading link

A young Black man smiling at the camera with a bookbag on.

With Winter Break beginning on December 12, this is an excellent time to work on your career plans, internship or job search strategy before the spring semester begins in January. Here are some ideas on how to leverage your time during the break:

  • Meet with your Career Adviser for help with career planning, resume/cover letters, interviewing skills and internship or job search strategies. The Business Career Center (BCC) is open virtually during the break (except December 24 – January 3) and you can schedule a virtual appointment through UICcareers.com.
  • Interested in exploring career fields? This is a great time to meet virtually with business professionals to learn about different jobs and industries. Our Informational Interviews 101 guide will help you get started.
  • Create or update your resume. Use the BCC’s Resume Guide to ensure that your resume makes a strong impact! . You may submit your resume online through UICcareers.com to receive feedback.
  • Do you have a LinkedIn profile? This checklist will help you make your LI profile stand out.
  • New to UIC or haven’t used the BCC yet? Register to attend one of our new virtual workshops: Getting Started with the Business Career Center in early on January 7 and 8.
  • Build your skills! Winter Break is a great time to upskill. Consider any skills or certifications you could obtain which would complement your degree, academic major or career plans, such as:
    • Advanced Excel Certification
    • Tableau Desktop Specialist
    • Google Analytics Certificate
    • Over 5,000 video tutorials are available free of charge through UIC’s LinkedIn Learning portal

You’ve worked hard this semester and deserve a break! Take time to relax and recharge before you begin these career prep tasks. It is an unusually challenging holiday season, due to the pandemic. But leveraging this down time to grow your skills and work on your career plans is a very smart strategy.

Modified on August 06, 2021