Get to know yourself this summer University of Manchester Careers Blog

Get to know yourself this summer Summer is here, you have  just finished exams so lets not try anything too strenuous. 1 While lazing on the beach Close your eyes and think back on this last year, what did you really enjoy and why? When have you felt most comfortable and motivated?   Why do you think that was? Now think about something you are looking forward to, why is that? Do you like being with friends or alone? Are you usually the  instigator  of an  activity or are you the one that gets things done? Understanding your personal preferences will help you make decisions about your future.  2 At  a festival or while travelling You may meet up with fellow students and graduates from all over the world im sure you will get chatting. Ask: Where  are you  from? What do you  do? Are they studying or working?   Where is that whats it like? What are you doing after this?   Going travelling, summer jobs perhaps they have a graduate job lined up? Well done you are now officially networking! You could get all sorts of great ideas for things to do and maybe even  make contacts to visit places and people. By learning about what other people are doing and what they enjoy you can start to understand the options open to you. 3 At home visiting friends and family Make small talk with the relatives, ask questions: How are  things at work? ( its a good opening line when you have probably forgotten what they do!) Whats the best thing about being a .   (they will probably tell you the worst things too) Ask family if you could go into work  with them  one day and see what they do?   Maybe they cant do that but they may know someone who would be willing. By talking about or experiencing different work places and roles you will start to understand what you might like and dislike.   It will help you understand what you want your life to look like. 4 Your summer job. The ultimate self realisation experiment! From 3 months working in a coffee shop I learned that I hate standing up for 8 hours a day and that boredom  is my biggest enemy. Love or hate your job there is always something to be gained (as well as the money!) Is it what you thought it would be like? What do you like and dislike about it?   Do you know why you love or hate bits of your job ? Is it the people or  the task? It doesnt matter how unrelated you think your summer job is to your future career, getting to know what matters to you will come in pretty handy in the future. What next? Its up to you, but if you need someone to chat it over with give us a ring 0161 275 2829 or leave us a message on Facebook ..Finally one top tip! Be nice  to the people you meet  this summer.  You never know when you will meet them again and they could be the one employing you! All Undergraduate Undergraduate-highlighted career planning careers employability Getting started