In grade school and high school, Spring Break was an opportunity to sleep in, watch TV all day, and if you were truly unlucky, go on a vacation somewhere with your parents. In college, Spring Break became a time to blow off some steam, get rowdy with your friends, and forget about the stress you left behind in the library and your dorm room. Of course, where 21 year old Spring Breakers go, bad decisions follow.
As adults, Spring Break can be very different. You may not get a Spring Break (I know, I know, me neither), but you also may be spending Spring Break with your kids or family due to school scheduled breaks. For whatever reason, whether you have a proper break or not, take some time this “Spring Break Season” to network and take care of your career.
Here are a few ideas to make your “Spring Break” networking focused:
- If you are lucky enough to get a Spring vacation, take at least 1 hour of that vacation to network in a different city. Look into your college alumni database or reach out to a friend who lives in that city on LinkedIn. Meet for coffee or lunch and catch up, build a better relationship, and talk about your career. Even a week at Disney can spare 1 hour for coffee with a far-off connection who could help your career.
- Go to an event. There are tons of networking events happening this month in honor of Women’s History Month. Go get one! If you’re in Chicago, LA, or NYC, check out Step Up Women’s Network for their Spring roster of networking events. If you’re in Minneapolis or Chicago, go to one of Career Girl’s own Sweatworking events on April 3rd and 24th.
- Read some business books! Part of Spring Break is relaxing, but while you’re on the beach, toss out that trashy novel and instead read up on your career. Click here for some suggestions.
This Spring Break doesn’t have to be a tequila filled beach party (although that might be fun). Take the break to learn about you and enhance your career.
About the Author: Marcy Twete
Marcy Twete is the Founder and CEO of Career Girl Network and the author of the book “You Know Everybody! A Career Girl’s Guide to Building a Network That Works.” At Career Girl Network, Marcy provides women with information, resources, and networking to empower them in their careers and to advance the work of women in business as a whole. Prior to launching Career Girl Network, Marcy worked in numerous nonprofit organizations and as a consultant in the field of nonprofit fundraising, marketing, and community relations. Marcy is a graduate of the College of St. Benedict in St. Joseph, Minnesota, and a native of rural North Dakota. She is the Vice Chair of the Chicago Board of Directors for Step Up Women’s Network in Chicago and a member of the Advisory Board for Girls on the Run Twin Cities, and is dedicated to advancing the work of organizations that move the needle for women and girls worldwide.
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