Winter break is almost here, and if family gatherings aren’t quite hitting your end-of-year stress quota yet, don’t worry. You can always dive into working on your career for that extra dose of pressure!
Jokes aside, now that you’re temporarily relieved of your academic duties, there’s time to do something meaningful for your future career while still getting some well-deserved rest.
You can use these few weeks to boost your skills, gain practical experience, and level-up your resume so that you can impress future employers when the time comes for applying to jobs.
You can also take time to fully reset, recharge, and get ready to take on the next semester, and any further steps you’re thinking of. Time spent taking care of yourself will certainly pay off, trust me on that one.
In this article, we’ll talk about:
- How you can develop your skills through courses, certificates, and different apps
- How to gain practical experience through internships, community service, and freelancing
- How to update your resume and prepare for the job search
- How to do all (or some) of the above and stay sane
Don’t waste days compiling overused interview techniques. Get original answers to every single question you could expect.
Skill Development
Building your skills should be a priority year-round, but winter break is the perfect time to kick things into high gear and really put them into motion. Below are a few ideas on how to do that without overdoing it.
Enroll in an Online Course
The more skills you have, the more capable you are, the more internships you can land, and the more attractive you’ll be to employers.
It also means having something substantial to put on your resume and talk about in your job interviews (which, we know, are not a joke when you’re first starting out).
If you’re wondering where to start, here comes help.
Step 1: Identify the skills you need
Start by thinking about the kind of job or internship you want. What skills are employers in that field looking for?
For example, if you’re interested in marketing, you might want to get comfortable with tools like Google Analytics or HubSpot, alongside marketing channels like social or SEO. If you’re heading into tech, skills in advanced data analysis or tech-focused project management could set you apart. Try to make a list of the key skills relevant to your career goals.
✅Pro tip: If you’re not sure what hard and soft skills to focus on, check out some of the job descriptions you’d be interested in if you were looking for a job. Many of them will explicitly list desirable skills:
But even if they don’t, just by going through them, you’ll be able to gauge which skills are key to being successful in a similar role:
Step 2: Find courses that match
Once you have your target skills, it will be easier to find the right course. Try platforms like:
- Coursera, for academic-style courses from top universities and institutions. It’s great for gaining knowledge, getting certifications, and even pursuing specializations in fields like business and tech.
- Udemy, for affordable courses on literally anything, from hard skills like coding to personal development topics like time management. They have a ton of sales on their courses, so keep your eyes peeled.
- LinkedIn Learning, for professional development and more career-focused skills. Think project management, digital marketing, and similar. LinkedIn Learning courses are short, practical, and visible on your profile upon completion — which might make you more interesting to potential employers.
- edX, for university-level courses, many from top-tier institutions (like Harvard and MIT). It offers a mix of free and paid courses, along with programs that can lead to professional certificates or even online degrees.
- Skillshare, for creative and hands-on skills like graphic design, photography, or video editing.
- Pluralsight, for tech and IT skills and areas like cloud computing, cybersecurity, or software development.
Some of these courses are free, while others do have a fee. But if you ask me, they’re a great way to build skills that’ll stick with you long-term, so it’s a solid investment in your future.
Step 3: Set a schedule and stick to it
To actually finish a course and not just let it gather virtual dust and haunt you like the Ghost of Christmas Past, try to set a realistic schedule and stick to it.
If it’s a long course, break it down into chunks and commit to a part of it each day — ideally at the same time, to form a habit and keep the consistency.
Set small milestones, like finishing X lessons by the end of the week, to give you small dopamine boosts and a sense of accomplishment.
This way, it will be easier for you to actually complete a course.
Start Learning a New Language
Winter break is a great time to start learning a new language — or pick it back up if you’ve fallen behind.
I won’t go into the details of why speaking a foreign language is awesome because everyone knows that. I’ll just stress that it will be highly important if you aim for a job in a global industry or a customer-facing role.
What’s great about learning new languages today is that it doesn’t have to be overwhelming and yet another task on your long to-do list. Thanks to apps like Duolingo, Rosetta Stone, or Babbel (if you sign up for Babbel’s marketing emails, you’ll get a discount), it can feel like a game or a little treat for yourself after a long day.
(Let’s be real, we’ve all had those nights out where we’re a little tipsy but still manage to complete a Duolingo lesson just to keep that streak going.)
Practice Coding
Learning to code is both daunting and useless.
At least that’s what high-school me would say when forced to practice C++ by “coding” with a pen on paper.
Of course, that didn’t make much sense. But that was then and this is now.
These days, most of the information you consume is some sort of code. Learning the basics of programming, or at least understanding what different types of code do, will help you tremendously if any part of your life happens online.
Once you understand simple concepts like logic, structure, and algorithms, you’ll instantly get a better grasp of any digital tool or functionality out there (from Microsoft Teams to Instagram Ads to CarPlay to Google Sheets — stuff you use every day).
You’ll quickly become more efficient in pretty much everything — from project management to data analysis.
Plus, having even a basic grasp of coding shows employers you’re adaptable and willing to learn, which is a huge asset in today’s job market.
If you’re up for a challenge, try websites like Codecademy, LeetCode, or Pluralsight we already mentioned.
Choose a language or library that aligns with your field. If you’re into psychology, economy, or geography, start with Python and explore libraries like Pandas and NumPy. For marketing or business, learning SQL or Excel macros can be incredibly useful. Modern languages or literature? Learn the basics of NLP tools like MeaningCloud and ML Analyzer.
Gaining Practical Experience
And now, it’s time for the dress rehearsal before the big show: internships, volunteering, and community service. These low-commitment experiences will not only give you a taste of the workforce but also help you fill out the Experience section on your resume, something you’ll probably struggle with when applying for your first real job.
Summer Internships
Volunteering for internships is a great way to get your foot in the door, especially if you’re trying to break into a specific field.
And winter break is a nice opportunity to set aside some time and start applying for summer internships because finding the right one might take some time.
Check out this video to discover why now is the best time to start:
In addition to gaining hands-on experience, a summer internship will allow you to network with professionals from that field. And this is awesome because they can:
- Offer valuable insights into the industry and company
- Give you career advice
- Provide recommendations
- Hook you up with potential jobs down the line
Plus, it’s a win-win because you’re contributing to a cause or organization while learning and building skills that will boost your resume. Even if it’s unpaid, the experience can pay off in the long run by giving you a leg up when applying for future jobs or internships.
How to find summer internships
You can start by checking platforms like LinkedIn and Indeed.
For example, if I’m looking for a marketing internship on Linkedin, I’ll just type “marketing internship” in the search bar, set the location, click on “Jobs” and then refine the search by clicking “Experience” and picking “Internships”.
From there, I can use advanced filters to further refine my search and even pick a specific company I’m interested in volunteering with.
The process is pretty much the same with Indeed. I’ll just type “marketing internship” in the search bar and pick a location and click “Search”. Indeed also gives a lot of additional filters to narrow down your search and find the most suitable opportunity for yourself.
Finally, you can try platforms like WayUp and Idealist to find internships and volunteering opportunities.
Community Service
Volunteering at local nonprofits is a fantastic way to gain practical skills that go beyond what you’d typically learn in the classroom. While you’re helping out, you’re also building valuable soft skills like leadership, teamwork, and communication.
To find community service opportunities that align with your career interests, start by looking up local nonprofits or organizations that are related to your field.
Check:
- Local community boards
- Libraries (check their bulletin boards or websites)
- Volunteering websites like VolunteerMatch and Idealist
- University or college service clubs and initiatives
Or reach out directly to organizations. You’d be surprised how often they’re looking for help.
✅Pro tip: Be specific when searching for opportunities and make sure they align with your career goals and plans. Think about the skills and experience you want to build and then target roles in your desired industry and look for leadership or skills-based opportunities.
For example, if you’re interested in leadership, you can check out project management volunteer roles where you can lead a team, like organizing a local charity event or managing a community outreach project.
Or, if you’d prefer a skill-based approach and aiming for a career in, say, graphic design — you could volunteer to help a nonprofit with creating marketing materials, like flyers or social media graphics.
Another way to approach this is by aligning your volunteer work with something you’re truly passionate about. For instance, if you’re into sustainability and dream of working for a company like Patagonia, you could volunteer at places like Goodwill, helping sort and refurbish secondhand items. This would give you experience connected to your values and future career goals, and make you an even stronger candidate for sustainability-focused roles.
Freelancing and Gigs
If you’re thinking about starting a small side gig without going into the 9–5, consider freelancing.
It can help you gain practical experience and build a portfolio, but the best part is that you can do it on your own schedule. Here are a few popular freelancing platforms for you to explore:
A word of caution: even though freelancing is beneficial in many ways, it’s not for everyone. It takes a special kind of dedication, self-reliance, problem-solving, and discipline, yet the results are not guaranteed, clients can be hard to find, and you might run into periods of financial instability.
If you want to give it a try, keep reading.
How to start
First off, make sure your profile is correctly set up, no matter the platform you choose. This means having a professional photo, writing an informative bio, and highlighting relevant coursework, projects, or past freelance work.
You can also list your strengths and focus on the skills that are most in demand in your field. Of course, you probably don’t have much experience yet, but don’t worry about it too much. Instead, emphasize your transferable skills gained through education, internships, or volunteering, and focus on your enthusiasm and willingness to learn.
Finally, try to pick gigs that are aligned with your long-term goals and that will actually contribute to your professional development.
For more info, we have a detailed, separate guide here: A Complete Beginner’s Guide to Freelancing for Students and New Grads. It’s packed with advice on setting up your freelance business, building a portfolio, deciding on platforms and pricing models, and legal and financial considerations.
Job Search Preparation
You know those tasks you procrastinate on for weeks or even months, only to realize they’re not nearly as difficult as you made them out to be?
I feel like job search preparation is one of those. We all postpone resume updates and networking, but the good (or bad?) news is that your winter break is the perfect time to stop procrastinating and get it done — especially if you’re graduating soon.
Here are a few ideas on how to use this free time to wrap up a few constructive tasks.
Resume and Cover Letter Updates
Having a “master” resume and cover letter is a game-changer. These documents serve as your starting point, where you include all your key experiences, skills, and achievements in one place.
Think of them as the broad, all-purpose versions that you’ll later fine-tune for each specific job application. If you don’t have one yet, check out our resources and you’ll be ready to create a solid foundation:
- How to Write a Resume (Examples, Templates, Expert Tips)
- Internship Cover Letter: Examples, Tips & Mistakes to Avoid
- How To Write A Cover Letter: A Complete Guide
- Step-by-step Resume AI tool to help you create and tweak your resume in minutes (for Big Interview users)
And now for the key thing: you should customize your resume (and cover letter) for every single job you apply for.
I know this is not what many job seekers like to hear, but it’s the only way to pass the ATS check and then prove you’re a fitting candidate. And it won’t take nearly as much time as you may think.
Customizing does NOT mean creating a new resume each time, but just tweaking some key skills and accomplishments to better align with the job ad.
And here’s how to do it.
Analyze job descriptions
Thoroughly analyze job ads you find appealing. Look for:
- Key duties of a role
- Key hard and soft skills needed for a role
- Key accomplishments you’re expected to fulfill in this role
- Keywords — and these will usually be key duties and skills we already mentioned.
Align your experience with the required skills
Find areas of your work experience (if any), academic experience, and skills that are aligned with what you looked for in the previous step: key duties, skills, accomplishments, and keywords.
Think about your accomplishments, awards, results, volunteering experiences, skills, or anything else that fits and proves:
- You will be successfully fulfilling the duties in this role
- You have the skills needed for a role
- You will be able to not only fulfill duties but also achieve meaningful accomplishments and contribute to the company’s success.
Once this is done, it’s time for the final step.
Update your resume and/or cover letter
Update your resume and cover letter accordingly, to prove you check the boxes and have what it takes to be successful in a role.
This will usually mean:
- Updating your resume profile
- Tweaking your work experience to showcase relevant accomplishments
- Tweaking the education sections to showcase relevant awards, papers, and coursework
- Adjusting the skills section to paint a complete picture of your capabilities.
This approach is more targeted, and although it does take a bit more time (but literally like 30 minutes) than mass-applying with a single, generic resume, it dramatically increases your chances of landing an interview — exactly because you took the time to demonstrate why you’re a good fit.
Here’s a library of handy guides to help you update your resume and cover letter and get ready for the job search:
- Work Experience on a Resume: 20+ Examples of How to List It
- Achievements and Accomplishments for a Resume: Examples + How to List Them
- How to List Education on a Resume: Sample Sections + Format
- Skills to Put on a Resume for Any Job [Post-Covid Examples]
- 20+ Resume Profile Examples for All Industries (+ How-to Guide)
- Interests and Hobbies to Put on a Resume (+ Do You Even Need Them)
- 10+ Cover Letter Examples (+ Different Types & Formatting Guide)
- 7 Tips for Writing a Cover Letter That Lands Interviews
Networking
Connecting with the right people is your one-way ticket to professional success.
And I don’t mean it in a sleazy way. You don’t have to pretend to like someone or be excessively flattering — that’s not what networking is.
Networking is about connecting with people from your industry and building meaningful connections through:
- Getting in touch and merely saying hi
- Asking for informational interviews
- Sharing content with them, like an article, a piece of news, a new study, etc.
- Asking them for their opinion on a topic
- Recommending them for a job
- Connecting them with other people
You can do networking in person during conferences or seminars, or you can do it online through different platforms and professional groups and associations. If you ask me, the easiest way to network is through LinkedIn.
And if you happen to need tips on how to use LinkedIn the right way, we happen to have just the thing for you: 15+ LinkedIn Tips for Optimizing Your Profile in 2024.
Personal Projects and Portfolios
In between Christmas feasts, family get-togethers, and consequential venting sessions with friends, I recommend you find a little time to build your portfolio or finish a personal project.
I mean, designing a logo will surely distract you from thinking about your sibling sharing your childhood trauma just to keep the family entertained?
In all seriousness, now’s the perfect time to start — or finish — a personal project that could demonstrate your practical skills.
Whether it’s designing a logo, writing an article, or coding a small app, the key is to create something tangible that reflects the quality of your work and proves you can get the job done.
And even if you’re just beginning, a well-thought-out project is a great way to show your initiative and willingness to learn.
Once it’s ready, you can share it on online platforms like:
- Github for coding projects
- Dribbble and Behance for design work
- Journo Portfolio for writing samples
- LinkedIn for pretty much any type of portfolio or project.
All these platforms will also allow you to share context, like a brief description, the processes you followed, or the tools you used.
Mental and Physical Well-Being
If you made it this far, congrats. I won’t bore you too much with the details or make a task out of something that is supposed to be an act of self-care.
Winter break is the perfect time for you to recap your year, reflect on the good and bad, and set some goals for the new year.
But not everything needs to be perfectly organized, measured, and optimized.
You might want to step away from the tasks, errands, social media, and other mundane factors and dedicate some time to yourself.
Go to the gym or start a Pilates class, do some journaling, or return to your beloved childhood hobby. Whatever helps you relax and recharge for the challenges in the new year.
💡A final piece of advice: Be intentional about your time and self-care efforts. You might feel like it, but don’t allow yourself to doomscroll and brain rot for hours. It won’t help you in the long run — in fact, it’ll probably make you feel worse. Most of us are so overstimulated that the only way to take a proper “break” does require a tiny bit of effort. Set aside some time to consciously and actively disengage from digital distractions. Your brain (and your eyes) will thank you.
Similarly, don’t burn yourself out trying to finish as many career-related tasks as possible during this winter break. I hope this article gave you some ideas on what to work on, but don’t pressure yourself. Only a few hours per day are enough — and you’ll be ahead of the majority of other students.
Now, if you kindly excuse me, I shall commence my yearly Harry Potter marathon.
FAQ
How can international students spend the winter break effectively if they are unable to travel home?
If you’re an international student unable to travel home during winter break, you can still make the most of your time by focusing on personal and professional growth. This means gaining experience through internships, freelancing, or volunteering, because all of these will enhance your resume. You could also work on personal projects or improve skills related to your field of study, like coding, writing, or design. Finally, it’s important to take some time off for self-care. Try exploring local attractions, participating in campus events, or reconnecting with people you haven’t spoken to in a while, but wanted to. You can also look for local meet-ups, like the “Italian-American club” (there are usually clubs for a variety of nationalities) — it might be a nice way to connect with people from your country, if you feel like it.
What are some productive ways to enjoy the winter break while also dealing with seasonal affective disorder (SAD)?
Stay active and participate in outdoor activities, even if it’s just a short walk. Spend as much time as you can outdoors, in natural light. Stay connected to your friends and join group activities, even virtually. Stick to a daily routine that includes regular exercise, healthy meals, and enough sleep. Don’t forget supplements if you’re deficient — vitamin D and Omega-3 acids are your safe bets. Focus on your hobbies or creative projects, or simply read your favorite book. Finally, practice mindfulness or relaxation techniques like meditation or deep breathing — this could help you manage stress and improve your mood.
How should students balance between rest and productivity over the break to avoid burnout?
Set clear and achievable goals, but schedule regular downtime. Focus on tasks that are aligned with your long-term goals, but break them into manageable chunks so you don’t feel overwhelmed. Productivity doesn’t mean working non-stop and taking care of your mental and physical health is just as important for long-term success. So aim for a healthy routine that combines both effort and relaxation to recharge for the upcoming semester.
What are some effective strategies for introverts to network virtually during the winter break?
You can start small and focus on less intimidating interactions, like one-on-one meetings and informational interviews with your professors, alumni, or other professionals in your field. You can do this via video platforms like Zoom or Google Meet. You can also try joining industry-related webinars or virtual meetups where you can engage in smaller discussions rather than large, overwhelming groups.
How can students studying in non-STEM fields benefit from programming skills learned during the break?
You could use them to automate repetitive tasks and improve efficiency in your work. But it can also enhance your problem-solving capabilities and generally make you a more skilled and diverse professional. For example, learning to code can help marketing students analyze data. Writers can build websites or automate content management, and business majors can use programming to create financial models or manage databases. Programming might also open up some opportunities for interdisciplinary projects, and this could make you more attractive to employers.
What can students do if they don’t secure an internship or freelancing gig over the winter break?
You can still make use of that time to focus on personal projects, building skills, and networking. You can start or finalize a project or work on your portfolio, take online courses or certifications to expand your knowledge, or network with people from your industry. These can help you stay on track and build a strong foundation for the future, but you also shouldn’t forget to have some rest and unwind during the break.
