Utilizing the summer before your senior year of high school is important. This is the best opportunity for you to prepare all of the right documents for college applications. In some cases, you have to have your applications ready to process before your senior year starts. So don’t forget about your deadlines and keep in mind what you want to accomplish before you finish high school.

In this article, we’re going to be addressing the ten best ways for you to utilize your summer in ways you probably haven’t thought of! Here are the best ways to make your last summer in high school count.

10 Things to Do With Your Summer

One of the reasons you want to make the most of your summer is because college is right around the corner and there is a lot to do. Ideally, you’ll be preparing all of your college and scholarship applications. Not only that but you will also want to incorporate some fun and good summer vacation. Let’s go over some of the best things to do with the summer before your senior year.

Quick and easy summer to-do list for juniors in high school

Get a summer job

When a student is in High School working a job is the last thing on their mind; however, this is a great opportunity to start building your resume. You don’t have to find a job that you’ll be working at forever. But there are plenty of jobs that are looking for summer employees. This is a great option because you get an opportunity to understand the workforce and then also start saving money of your own.

Consider getting a summer job to build your resume and save money for college or extracurricular activities.

Get a summer internship

Having a summer internship is also an amazing career-building experience. It is like having a job but you would ideally learn more based on your interests. There are paid and unpaid internships that you can find, either way, they are great experiences.

If you can find an internship that aligns with the major you want to pursue in college that is a step in the right direction. There is a lot of growth that can come from getting a summer internship.

Be a camp counselor

Another popular summer pass time is acting as a camp counselor. There are a multitude of opportunities and growing experiences that come with entertaining and teaching younger kids. A camp counselor not only could have a paid summer job, but you are also learning great leadership skills. If you are looking to work with kids in education, this is also a great learning experience on how to wrangle and keep the attention of younger kids.

Do volunteer work

Giving back to the community is a highly fulfilling way to spend the summer break. Countless nonprofits rely on volunteers to operate and are always looking for helping hands. Whether it’s helping out at the humane society five days a week or doing community cleanup every other weekend, there are volunteer opportunities to fit any schedule. This is an essential part of demonstrating both civic engagement and compassion on applications, but mostly it is a chance for a student to truly grow in character.

Study for the SAT/ACT

One of the most important things is to get a reasonable score on the SAT/ACT test. Most colleges require either of these test scores upon admission. Getting a good score is important, so make sure you study and achieve the score you want.

If not, there is another chance before your senior year starts and the college admission deadline is here. You especially want to make sure that your applications are submitted if you are registering under early admission.

Finalize college list

If you haven’t already, one of the first things to accomplish during your summer break is all the colleges that you will apply to. Make sure to finalize your campus tours and decisions on colleges.

We recommend picking 2 target colleges, 2 safe colleges, and 2 dream colleges. These are all broken down by want and security. Which colleges are the best for you and what is the likely hood of you getting in?

Prepare college applications

Another thing you will want to accomplish during your last summer in high school is gathering all the required documents for applications. The college admissions office is strict on their deadlines, and you don’t want to be a late applicant.

Don’t forget to have multiple college essays ready for different college prompts. You also have to be prepared for any additional documents they might require of you, so make sure to check all the requirements and deadlines ahead of time.

Research college majors

If you haven’t already, check out the majors that you are interested in for each college you plan on applying to. There are different majors based on the college, and it is important to submit your interest upon applying.

Do some extra research on the colleges and what they offer. If you are still planning on going on tours, ask them about all the opportunities they have to achieve your desired major.

Attend camps

Earlier we talked about being camp counselors, but you also have the opportunity to attend a summer camp yourself! There are camps based on the year of high school you’re in that allow you to gain experience in your passion or hobby.

If you have an ideal college that you want to attend, there are even some that host camps to better acclimate you with the environment and major of choice. Camps can be anywhere from weeks to months long. So reach out and have fun!

Have fun!

Lastly, you want to be able to make the most of your last summer in high school. Make memories with your friends and go on adventures that will better you.

Spend your summer following your dreams and passions. Explore yourself and different hobbies that you have an interest in. You will be a better well developed individual if you follow your interests.

Key takeaways for your summer

No matter how you choose to spend your summer, make sure that it is what you want to do! Whether that is getting a job and saving money or spending time abroad with your friends. Make sure not to miss any college deadlines, and focus on finishing your senior year with a bang!

If at all you need help with college admissions or want career advice, Prepory is here to help you with it all! Contact our experienced counselors and get on the right path to success.

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How to Write an Incredible Entry-Level Resume

Even though a job may be advertised as an entry-level position, the listed skills and qualifications can sometimes feel intimidating. In this article, we will discuss the importance of a well-written resume.

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Sometimes it can feel overwhelming to apply for an entry-level job. Even though a job may be advertised as an entry-level position, the listed skills and qualifications can sometimes feel intimidating. That said, a good guideline to follow when applying to entry-level positions is that jobs that prefer 1-2 years of experience are generally pretty flexible, especially if the right candidate comes along.

In this article, we will discuss the importance of a well-written resume, as well as how to write an entry-level resume and how to write a resume summary for entry-level positions. We will also take a look at an example of an entry-level resume so that you can get a clearer idea of what’s expected of you during your job search.

What are the different types of resumes?

What is the best format for a resume? It depends on several factors, but if you are wondering how to make an entry-level resume stand out, read on!

In this section, we will discuss the characteristics, strengths, and weaknesses of the three most popular professional resume formats: chronological resumes, functional resumes, and hybrid resume.

As you review these professional resume formats, you may also want to consider perusing some of the best resume templates in 2022 for further inspiration.

What is a chronological resume?

The chronological resume is the most standard resume format. As such, job recruiters tend to be the most familiar with this type of resume. They are straightforward, logical, thorough, and easy to scan.

Here’s an example of what a chronological resume looks like:

Source: https://www.topresume.com/career-advice/make-a-great-resume-with-no-work-experience

Chronological resumes are written in reverse chronological order, with your most recent experience listed first. They emphasize past job experiences and tell a clear narrative of where you are in your career. That said, this can pose some challenges for entry-level job seekers without much experience.

Don’t worry, though! We will provide some key strategies and writing tips for you to use later in this article. For now, though, let’s take a look at the two other types of professional resumes.

What is a functional resume?

A functional resume focuses on your potential, passion, and job skills — more so than industry-related experience. For this reason, it can be a good choice for young professionals or people changing careers. Again, the emphasis is placed on your passion and potential. Generally, early-career professionals have a lot of passion and motivation, so use this to your advantage!

Another benefit to a functional resume is that your personality can come across stronger than in a more traditional resume. Personality always plays a role in the hiring process. It is even more important, however, for entry-level positions.

Companies want to hire workers who will contribute to the overall sense of camaraderie and teamwork. Give them a reason to want to invest in you and provide you with the training that you will need for a successful career.

Let’s take a look at what a functional resume looks like:

Source: https://novoresume.com/career-blog/resume-advice-for-students-with-no-experience

What is a hybrid resume?

A hybrid resume combines the strengths of chronological and functional resumes. Many job applicants choose to use a hybrid resume for this reason. There is no one way to write a hybrid resume, though. Mostly, you will have to compare several examples of an entry-level resume and decide what you like and dislike about each resume. Then you will want to look at your resume template options.

How do I choose the best resume format for me?

It can be difficult to know how to write a resume for an entry-level job. That said, there are lots of strategies to help you succeed. First, find a resume template or a professional resume maker to help you get started.

Review several examples of entry-level resumes and take notes on what you like and dislike about each example. This should help you make some important decisions about your resume.

5 writing tips for entry-level resumes

In this section, we will review writing guidelines to follow when writing a resume. Some guidelines are straightforward: use a clear font, choose standard headings, and proofread. Other guidelines are more specific, such as where your education should be on a resume and how to write effective bullet points.

So where should education go on a resume? For entry-level resumes, your education should be listed first — after your contact information and a brief resume summary. Generally, this signals to job recruiters that you are a young professional just starting out. This will help them adjust their expectations and standards as they review your resume. Also, if you are asking yourself: how long should an entry-level resume be? The answer is always one page.

Write detailed bullet points

Write specific, detailed bullet points. Avoid general statements. For example, instead of saying “made espresso beverages at a coffee shop,” say something like “served an average of 200 customers daily, while providing exceptional customer service, maintaining inventory, and making espresso beverages.”

Write a strong, thoughtful resume summary

At the beginning of your resume — after your contact information and before your education — include a resume summary. A resume summary is a 3-4 sentence summary of your applications. This is a great opportunity to highlight your passion, personality, and unique qualifications.

Always tailor your resume for each job

Do not send out the same resume to multiple jobs. Always tailor your resume. Focus on including relevant experiences, skills, and qualifications. Always include keywords used in the job description. Not only will this highlight your qualifications and relevant experiences, but it will also help your resume rank well with applicant tracking systems (ATS).

Focus on job skills

As a young professional, it’s important to focus on transferable job skills. This will help make up for a lack of industry-related experience as well as highlight your potential. Entry-level applicants may also choose to include “soft skills” on their resumes such as leadership, communication, honesty, adaptability, compassion, and interpersonal skills.

Include and update your LinkedIn profile

The majority of job recruiters look at LinkedIn profiles before they conduct job interviews. So make sure you have a LinkedIn profile and that it is up-to-date.

Professional resume makers and templates

Are you nervous about knowing how to write a good resume with no experience? Do you want to know how to make an entry-level resume stand out?

What is an applicant tracking system (ATS)?

An applicant tracking system (ATS) is a computer program used by job recruiters to sort through and organize resumes. The majority of companies will use some sort of ATS during their hiring process. This is why it is important to ensure that your resume is optimized for ATS.

To optimize your resume for ATS, include keywords and use standard formatting. This means you should use a standard font, standard headers, and a standard layout. Don’t use headers or footers. Avoid using columns, tables, and graphs.

Key takeaways and moving forward

During your job search, it’s important to tailor your resume for each position. Make sure it is polished, proofread, and professional. Use standard formatting and include keywords in the job listing. Include your full contact information and write compelling, detailed bullet points. If you feel like you could benefit from professional assistance during any stage of your job search, including learning how to write an entry-level cover letter, reach out to learn more about our services.