No matter how good one’s grades are at school, there’s no guarantee that anyone will walk straight into the university course or job they want. An application needs something to stand out to future employers and show that the candidate is not only suitable for the job but also likely to excel at it. This can’t always be achieved when a CV only states exam results from subjects that many other students in the country have taken – there needs to be something more.
One way to enhance a CV with academic accomplishments is a summer school. Summer schools offer a wide range of topics and activities that can help students learn new skills during the summer holidays to complement skills and experience for future job hunting. Taking the initiative to further one’s studies shows potential employers ambition, a willingness to turn spare time into something productive and a desire to work on personal development.
Summer schools offer a wide range of subjects that can help applicants step out of their comfort zone and aid them on their path towards a chosen career. It may even be possible to learn a new skill during a short course that isn’t measurable by academic success. This could be anything from making new friends to interacting with academics – both of which will help improve communication skills and confidence.
Employers want to see potential candidates show that they have the skills and experience that goes beyond what is written on paper. There are hundreds of recent graduates that have taken the same course or achieved the same grade, and although these academic results can prove a certain level of experience in a topic, it’s also important to learn practical skills that can assist in the working world. Attending a summer school can highlight an independent worker and who possesses the ability to learn and work within a larger team. These are both key attributes for any employee in a company culture.
Not only will a summer school allow a student to take a course focused on a particular interest, it is also a great opportunity to practise meeting new people and networking. These are both good ways to boost understanding of how to interact with superiors and peers in a semi-professional setting, which will stand job applicants in good stead for future interviews.
There are many different subjects on the menu at a summer school that will help enrich any CV. Course topics can range from STEM subjects to business and finance and subjects centred around the arts. There are summer schools throughout the country and around the world that will have topics on a variety of niche topics that can enhance the knowledge that one already has and offer something new.
Students of both primary and secondary school age are able to attend summer classes. Some schools even offer classes for students aged 19 years old or over.
It’s never too early to start thinking about how to strengthen one’s CV through extracurricular activities and courses. Anything that sets someone apart from the many other job applicants employers encounter will help improve career prospects.
International students also have the chance to learn a new language if they are studying abroad. Speaking multiple languages is a sought-after asset as it allows employees to work in different countries and interact with a wider network of people. It is especially desirable to speak English, which is why British and American summer schools attract so many students.
Summer school courses usually last for a few weeks and involve various exams, essays and other activities to help showcase what has been learnt. The tasks are designed to help improve essay and exam writing abilities, which are valuable skills to have, especially for those looking to start applying to universities.
Alongside the chosen subject, summer schools often include classes on debating, presenting and leadership. These topics will teach essential skills that can be used throughout one’s personal life and career.
How to improve a CV
There are many ways to improve a CV during school or university holidays, including getting a part-time job, work experience or doing an internship. Aside from looking at ways to earn some extra money, the summer holidays are an ideal opportunity to learn more about an industry and show potential employers that spare time during the term and in the summer holidays is being used for something worthwhile.
As well as getting a part-time job, it’s also worth thinking about how to further any knowledge about topics of interest and that may be needed need for a future career. Summer schools are a great way to add more substance to any CV, especially if the course is relevant to the graduate job that will eventually be applied for. It will give new perspectives on the focus of the job, as well as build up soft skills, such as communication, teamwork and leadership. These are all aspects that employers will want to see demonstrated in real-world examples in job applications.
Attending summer school in a different city or country will also build experience alongside the course that studied. There are often trips and activities that are included in the cost of attending the school, which will give an insight into the culture and history of the local area. These types of experiences can prove just as important as academic successes because they show a well-rounded person who can step outside of their comfort zone to try new things.
What do prospective employers look for when they are hiring?
Employers like to hire people with a certain level of self-awareness. It’s important to understand one’s personality traits and how they can help to achieve goals. For example, some may excel when working as part of a team because they are a keen listeners and find solutions to problems by bouncing ideas around with other people. Alternatively, they could be good at presenting concept plans to a group of people because they are confident public speakers.
Attending summer school or taking part in other extracurricular activities can help applicants discover and understand their own strengths. They will be placed in unusual positions, such as meeting new people from around the world, that will test their ability to learn and adapt. A large part of summer courses is also independent study, which will improve time management and offer ways to discover how to maintain motivation.
Taking classes through the summer holidays will show employers that a candidate is dedicated to learning new skills and content, which is especially beneficial if the course is related to the job in question. They will be able to see a genuine desire to work in that particular industry because time and money have been devoted to improving knowledge in that subject area.
Summary
The purpose of a CV is to showcase relevant experience to employers when applying for jobs. A good way to boost the content of an application is to attend a summer school because one can learn about a particular subject in greater detail. This could be anything from Business Management to STEM topics and even Medicine. Students will have a greater understanding of the subject after being taught by industry professionals and will also gain soft skills discussed earlier.
There are so many ways to pose the experience gained from time at a summer school. Even meeting and interacting with fellow students can prove someone is team player, which is a valuable skill to have in any job, especially in a leadership role.
Summer schools set one apart from other applicants because they showcase extra experience in niche topics that wouldn’t necessarily have been accessible in a usual school setting. Some top-level summer schools are also based in world-renowned universities, such as Oxford, Cambridge and Yale, which will stand out on any CV.
Overall, a CV will benefit from any experience gained from attending a summer school. Employers will like to see that prospective colleagues have pushed themselves to discover new skills and gain extra experience.
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