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Personal Project Ideas for a Productive Summer 

Summer is a wonderful time to relax and recharge, but it’s also a great opportunity to work on personal projects that can enhance your career prospects and personal growth. Whether you’re a student, a recent graduate, or a working professional, there are many ways to use your summer break to work on personal projects that can help you achieve your goals. Here are some ideas to help you get started: 

Update Your Resume and LinkedIn Profile: 


Updating your resume and LinkedIn profile is an essential project that can have a significant impact on your career growth and success. These two tools are often the first impression potential employers or professional connections have of you, so it’s essential to ensure they accurately reflect your skills, experience, and achievements.

To start, review your current resume and LinkedIn profile and make any necessary updates. This includes adding new experiences, skills, certifications, and job responsibilities. Make sure your headline, summary, and job descriptions accurately reflect your unique value proposition and what sets you apart from others in your field.

It’s also important to tailor your resume and LinkedIn profile to the specific job or industry you’re interested in. Use relevant keywords and highlight the skills and experiences that align with the job description. This can increase your chances of being noticed by recruiters or hiring managers and increase your likelihood of landing an interview.

The career center’s page on Lawrence’s website is an excellent resource for learning how to write effective resumes and build a strong LinkedIn profile. We offer samples, templates, and guidance on how to highlight your strengths and make a lasting impression on potential employers or connections.

Build Your Personal Website:


Building a personal website is a valuable asset in today’s digital world, regardless of your field of study or profession. It’s a powerful tool that allows you to showcase your skills, experience, and accomplishments to the world. With the rise of online job applications and remote work, having a professional-looking website can help you stand out and make a lasting impression on potential clients, customers, or employers.

Creating a personal website has become easier than ever before, thanks to website builders like Wix, Squarespace, and WordPress. These platforms offer user-friendly interfaces and customizable templates, making it easy to design a website that suits your unique needs and style.

Your personal website should include relevant information such as your resume, portfolio, projects, and any other achievements that demonstrate your expertise and value. It’s an opportunity to showcase your work and highlight your unique selling points to potential clients, customers, or employers. Including a blog, section can also help you establish your authority in your field and attract a wider audience.

In addition to showcasing your skills and experience, a personal website can also help you connect with like-minded professionals in your field. You can use your website to create a network of contacts and share your work with others. This can lead to new opportunities and collaborations that can help you grow professionally.

While building a personal website may not be a common practice in STEM fields, it certainly has its benefits. It offers a platform to showcase your work, connect with others, and establish your authority in your field. It can also demonstrate your proficiency in web development, design, and communication skills, which are highly valued in today’s job market.


Write Research Papers on Topics of Interest:

In today’s fast-paced world, staying up-to-date with the latest academic trends and honing one’s skills has become more critical than ever but staying engaged in academics is a vital aspect of your professional and personal growth. One effective way to stay engaged and work on your own time during the summer is to write research papers on topics of interest.

Writing a research paper is an excellent way to explore a topic in-depth, gain new skills, and showcase your abilities. The best part is that you don’t need any prior research experience or access to data to get started. A review paper can be an excellent place to begin, as it enables you to synthesize and evaluate existing research on a given topic.

To get started, you can identify a topic that piques your interest or that you’ve always wanted to explore. Then, use online databases like the Library, JSTOR, or Google Scholar to find scholarly articles and research papers related to your subject. Once you’ve gathered sufficient information, start synthesizing it into a unique paper that adds value to the existing conversation on the topic.

While writing your research paper, you’ll develop critical thinking, research methodology, writing, and communication skills. You’ll learn to analyze and synthesize complex information and gain valuable insights into the topic you’re exploring. This newfound knowledge and skill set will prove beneficial in your future academic and professional endeavors.

In addition to the personal and professional growth opportunities that come with writing a research paper, it also offers a chance to contribute to the academic community by adding new ideas to the existing discourse. Your paper can open up new avenues of exploration for future researchers, sparking new debates and ideas.

Conduct your passion project:

If you’ve ever had an idea for a personal project or passion project, this summer is the perfect time to turn that idea into a reality. Whether it’s becoming an advocate for a cause you’re passionate about or creating a project to empower a specific group, pursuing your interests can not only bring personal fulfillment but also have a positive impact on your community.

Lawrence University has a history of supporting students in pursuing their personal projects, and many Lawrentians have already turned their ideas into successful ventures. For instance, some students have launched initiatives to promote sustainability, while others have developed programs to support mental health and wellness.

In addition to the support of the Lawrence community, the Career Centre offers Experiential Funding to help students finance their personal projects. These funds can be used to cover project expenses and support your research, development, and implementation.

When choosing a project, consider selecting one that is aligned with your field of study or intended career path. This can help you gain valuable experience and skills that will be relevant to your future career goals. Furthermore, pursuing a project can help you build your resume and make you a more competitive candidate in the job market.

Three simple ways to grow professionally in your field this summer

As a college student, summer break presents a valuable opportunity to focus on professional development. Whether you’re preparing for your future career, exploring potential interests, or simply looking to gain practical experience, taking proactive steps can set you up for long-term success. Instead of viewing summer as just a break, think of it as a chance to build skills, make connections, and enhance your career prospects. Here are just three simple ways to grow professionally in your field this summer:

  1. Organize your life and map your goals
    Strong organizational skills are crucial for career development, and summer is an ideal time to refine these abilities. Whether you are just starting to explore career options or working toward a specific goal, keeping track of your progress can help you stay motivated and intentional. One effective approach is to journal, make lists, and track your goals. Start by creating a “dream list”—a collection of personal and professional achievements you hope to accomplish within the next year or during your summer job or internship. This could include anything from learning a new skill, landing a research position, or networking with industry professionals.

    Once you have outlined your aspirations, take time to reflect on your existing accomplishments. Make a list of the skills and experiences you have already gained and identify any gaps that need to be filled. This process helps in recognizing your strengths while also clarifying the areas where you need to grow. From there, develop a structured action plan to achieve your goals. Break them down into smaller, manageable steps with specific deadlines. Whether it’s completing an online course, updating your LinkedIn profile, or applying for internships, a well-organized approach will make your progress more tangible and achievable.

  2. Craft and refine professional documents
    Your professional documents—resume, cover letter, personal statement, and portfolio (if applicable)—play a crucial role in making a strong impression on potential employers, graduate programs, or research advisors. Since academic-year schedules can be hectic, summer provides a perfect opportunity to fine-tune these essential documents. Regardless of the type of document, an effective professional statement typically includes three key components:

    Professional Intention: Clearly articulate your long-term goals and aspirations. Your statement does not need to fit into a narrow niche but should convey a broader sense of direction. For example, you might express an interest in problem-solving through research, advocating for healthcare equity, or exploring sustainable solutions for environmental challenges.

    Reflection: Highlight your experiences and how they have shaped your interests. This could include coursework, internships, volunteer work, or extracurricular activities that have contributed to your skills and professional growth.

    Connection: Bridge the gap between your intentions and your experiences. How do your past experiences support your future aspirations? This connection makes your narrative compelling and cohesive.

    Use this time to get feedback from mentors, career advisors, or peers on your resume and personal statements. Platforms like Viking Connect (for Lawrence students) or Handshake can also provide templates and guidance on structuring these documents effectively.

  3. Talk to people in the field you’re interested in
    Beyond self-reflection and document refinement, engaging with professionals is one of the most effective ways to grow in your field. Conversations with experienced individuals can offer insights into industry trends, career paths, and strategies for success.

Here are a few ways to expand your professional network:

  • Leverage Online Networking Platforms: Platforms like Viking Connect allow Lawrence students to connect with alumni who have experience in a variety of careers. Reaching out to alumni can provide valuable guidance, insider knowledge, and even potential mentorship opportunities.
  • Attend Career Fairs & Networking Events: Check Handshake for upcoming career fairs, professional panels, and industry-specific events. These gatherings allow you to meet recruiters, explore job openings, and gain advice on career planning.
  • Request Informational Interviews: Reach out to professionals whose careers interest you and ask if they would be open to a brief chat about their journey and insights. Many professionals are happy to share advice, and these conversations can open doors to potential opportunities.
  • Engage in Online Communities & Webinars: Many industries host webinars, virtual meetups, and LinkedIn discussions. Participating in these events can help you stay informed about new developments and trends in your field.

Building a strong network not only increases your job prospects but also provides inspiration, support, and direction as you navigate your career path.

Final Thoughts: Make This Summer Count

Summer is a unique period that allows for both relaxation and meaningful growth. By taking the time to organize your goals, refine your professional documents, and actively engage with industry professionals, you set yourself up for a stronger and more confident career journey.

Don’t wait until graduation to start preparing for your future—every small step you take now contributes to your long-term success. Whether it’s through self-improvement, networking, or skill-building, making the most of your summer can set you apart and help you achieve your career aspirations.

 Creating your summer To Do List:

Summer’s almost here!

After two or three terms of reading assignments, essays, study sessions, group projects, all-nighters, and exams, it’s time for a well-deserved break – a lengthy one. Working, reading, traveling, or exploring new hobbies? No matter what your goal is your summer break is the perfect opportunity to gain valuable experience and enhance your skills. Stepping away from school work, now is the time you can actually take some time out and do stuff that you’ve wanted to but never had the time for. But most importantly, this is the time you can plan your next year and prepare for it:

Check out a few ideas to help you plan your summer goals:

Internships: Look for internships at local companies or organizations in your field of interest. Many companies offer summer internships specifically for college students, giving you a chance to gain hands-on experience and learn from industry professionals. Take what you learned in the classroom and apply it to the real world. A summer internship is a great way to learn more about a business or industry and gain practical work experience to add to your résumé. (This is also a great way to build valuable connections and help determine whether a career is right for you.)

Resources to help you plan:

  • Pathways to Science
  • Handshake

Research: Universities often offer summer research programs for undergraduate students. These programs allow you to work on research projects with professors or graduate students, gaining exposure to advanced research methods and techniques while gaining new career path colleagues and professional connections.
Resources to help you plan:

– Pathways to Science

  • LURF
  • Handshake

Volunteer: Look for volunteer opportunities with organizations related to your field of study. For example, if you are studying environmental science, look for opportunities to volunteer with local conservation groups or parks. Volunteer roles are often available through research programs and organizations in need of your help, including charities, festivals, local non-profits, events, and community groups.

Resources to help you plan:

-CCE

Take a course: Consider taking a summer course to get ahead on your coursework or explore a new subject. Many universities offer online courses during the summer, allowing you to study from anywhere. You might be able to transfer credits from these courses to apply to your Lawrence course credits. Studying abroad helps develop skills that a classroom cannot provide, forcing you to take risks, become more independent, expand your worldview, push your boundaries, and make friends around the world.
In addition to courses relates to your field, you can also take a class or join a group to help cultivate transferable skills that might need work through the practice, exercises, and helpful feedback like public speaking, programming, etc.

Study abroad: If you have the opportunity, consider studying abroad during the summer. This is a great way to experience different cultures and gain a global perspective on your field of study. Studying abroad helps develop skills that a classroom cannot provide, forcing you to take risks, become more independent, expand your worldview, push your boundaries, and make friends around the world.

Resources to help you plan:

-Off of Off-Campus Programs

Attend conferences: Look for conferences or seminars related to your field of study. These events often offer networking opportunities and the chance to learn from experts in your field. You will be investing in yourself and expanding your network. Some conferences might offer a student discount as well!

Work on personal projects: Use your summer break to work on personal projects related to your field of study. For example you could work to write a research paper, make your website, etc

Grow Professionally: Summer is perfect to grow professionally. You can refine and polish your resume, write sample/skeleton cover letters, and college essays, and even build your professional network online.

Resources to help you get started:

  • Resume
  • Linkedin

Conduct your own individual project. Employers love a self-starter! Take matters into your own hands by creating a short film, building websites and contributing to GitHub, or writing guest blogs. Personal projects not only demonstrate your initiative and dedication, but also help you explore and develop skills needed in your career and are a great, practical way to beef up your resume.
Resources to help you :

-Experiential Learning Funds

Career Spotlight: Podiatrist

Do you want to be one step ahead in the medical field, and be able to make puns about your work? Consider becoming a podiatrist! Jokes aside, foot health is vital to the health of the whole body, especially because some serious conditions first present through symptoms in the lower extremities. Podiatrists serve a valuable role in medicine by specializing in this important area of the body. Read on to explore the field of podiatry and how you can get there! 

What do podiatrists do? 

In the same way that dentists specialize in mouths, podiatrists specialize in feet. Specifically, a podiatrist’s work includes preventing, diagnosing, and treating foot-related issues. They work with both injuries and diseases, and may also specialize in a subset of these issues or in a type of treatment. A common treatment specialty is surgery. Additionally, since no part of the body functions in isolation, podiatrists frequently work with ankles and other nearby leg structures. 

What is their work environment like? 

Podiatrists can work in a diversity of settings. These include medical centers such as hospitals, trauma centers, private practices, group practices, and surgical centers. They also include interdisciplinary practice settings like professional sports teams, long-term care facilities, and the armed forces. Podiatrists may also perform academic, educational, and research work in universities and schools of podiatry. This variety allows for a lot of flexibility in work hours, patients, and medical conditions. 

Who do they work with? 

This flexibility in work environment goes hand in hand with a flexibility in both patients and coworkers. These factors depend largely on a podiatrist’s work setting. For example, a podiatrist working on a sports team may see athlete patients who have primarily injury and repetitive stress-related issues, and may work closely with physical therapists. A podiatrist working in a surgical center, however, may see a variety of clients with serious conditions, and may collaborate with other hospital staff. 

What is the job outlook for podiatry? 

The job outlook for doctors of podiatric medicine is excellent. Thea average salary is $190,675, and podiatrists typically work between 30 and 60 hours per week. 

How do I become a podiatrist? 

Podiatrists are doctors, and complete medical school programs tailored to the study of podiatry. These typically take place at accredited podiatric medical colleges. There are currently nine accredited colleges of podiatric medicine in the United States, as well as over 200 podiatry programs at hospitals and other organizations. Browse a list of programs here. Programs take around four years to complete. The first two years include coursework and laboratory experience, and the last two years focus on clinical sciences and patient care. The four-year program is followed by a 36-month residency. 

In the Know: Professional organizations and resources 

There are several professional pediatric organizations, and all have helpful resources in the field of podiatry, the educational, residency, and licensing processes, and scholarships. Here are some of these organizations: 

Wherever your career journey leads you, thank you for dipping your toes into the world of podiatry! 

Career Highlight: Pharmaceutical Scientists

Adapted from northeastern.edu and hospitalcareers.com 

When looking for careers that connect both your interest in research and making an impact on others’ lives, a pharmaceutical scientist could be a potential career prospect. Although pharmaceutical scientists do not interact with patients directly, their work has an invaluable impact on their lives.  

Job Duties  

While pharmacists are trained to evaluate medication use and dispense medications to patients, pharmaceutical scientists are tasked with bringing new medications to the marketplace. Pharmaceutical scientists are trained to discover, develop, test, and manufacture new medications. They perform a variety of tasks such as  

  • Collecting and analyzing data 
  • Working in an interdisciplinary research team 
  • Testing safety of drugs and its side effects 
  • Doing experiments to see how the drug works 

Most of the the drugs will get discarded through the process of trail and error because it can take years to develop a new medicine before it can be widely available. Because of how complicated the drug development process is, each pharmaceutical scientist tends to specialize in one area.  

They can work on finding new uses for existing drugs, discover new meds, research how the body reacts to certain drugs to make them more effective and safer, study the causes and effects of diseases on the human body and find more efficient ways to create the medication. 

Other things necessary to being a pharmaceutical scientist include being patient and having perseverance, as developing drugs takes years of trial and error. They also need to know how to use computers and sophisticated testing equipment, and how to communicate their research and findings clearly. 

Working Conditions 

Pharmaceutical scientists often work for pharmaceutical or biotech companies, but also in academia, contract research organizations (CROs), and manufacturing facilities. They may also act as consultants to businesses and government agencies on anything related to pharmaceuticals. They may also teach at research universities and hospitals to supervise drug testing. 

Education and Training  

While it is possible to become a pharmaceutical scientist with just a bachelor’s degree, especially if you want to work in drug testing, getting a master’s degree in pharmaceutical science or other related fields like pharmacology, medicinal chemistry or biomedical science is more likely to make you a more competitive candidate. A PhD in pharmaceutical science could lead to greater responsibilities and further career progression. 

Pay and Job Outlook 

The median salary is around $80, 974. Since there is always demand for drug development and testing, the job outlook is very good for pharmaceutical scientists. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, medical scientists (an occupation group which includes pharmaceutical scientists) has a projected job outlook of 17% from 2020 to 2030.  

Sample Behavioral Interview Questions

It’s time to practice for your interview! While knowing what experiences you have had in the past is very important, knowing how to answer behavioral questions can make the difference between being hired or not. Behavioral questions are designed to learn how you would respond to a specific workplace situation, and how you solve problems to achieve a successful outcome. Here is a list of possible behavioral questions that they could ask you divided into different sections.

Teamwork

With teamwork behavioral questions, interviewers get a sense of whether or not you like working on a team, how well you work in groups, and what role you tend to take on a team project (leader, mediator, follower..). These questions also show whether you are easy to get along with, which is important in almost any work environment.

  • Talk about a time when you had to work closely with someone whose personality was very different from yours
  • Give me an example of a time you faced a conflict while working on a team. How did you handle that?
  • Tell me about a time you wish you’d handled a situation differently with a colleague

Client-facing skills

Client-facing skills behavioral questions give interviewers a way to see how you react to different kind of clients. What would happen if the client is frustrated, or if there a large number of clients waiting and how you can handle that pressure.

  • Tell me about a time when you made sure a customer was pleased with your service
  • Describe a time when you had to interact with a difficult client. What was the situation, and how did you handle it?
  • When you’re working with a large number of customers, it’s tricky to deliver excellent service to them all. How do you go about prioritizing your customers’ needs?

Ability to adapt

The ability to adapt is a very important soft skill that is required in any job. The way you answer these questions will give a sense of how you are able to adapt in a new working space and how flexible you are to change and adjust to new situations.

  • Tell me about a time you were under a lot of pressure. What was going on, and how did you get through it?
  • Give me an example of a time when you had to think on your feet in order to delicately extricate yourself from a difficult or awkward situation
  • Tell me about a time you failed. How did you deal with the situation?
  • Tell me about how you worked effectively under pressure

Time management skills

Time management is another very important skill to have. When one of these questions is asked, make sure you are clear about how you managed your time carefully, what tools did you use and why did those tools help.

  • Describe a long term project you managed. How did you keep everything moving along in a timely manner?
  • Tell me about a time you set a goal for yourself. How did you go about ensuring that you would meet your objective?
  • Tell me about a time you had to be very strategic in order to meet all your top priorities

Communication skills

The ability to communicate is closely evaluated in a job interview. Some recruiters will not ask questions directly related to communication in the interview but just see how the candidate is able to communicate during the interview. However, other recruiters might ask you behavioral questions that show the candidate’s communication skills with a real life example.

  • Tell me about a successful presentation you gave and why you think it was a hit
  • Tell me about a time you had to explain something fairly complex to a frustrated client. How did you handle the situation?

Motivation and values

Motivation and values behavioral questions are asked to see what values and what kind of personality the candidate has. It is important to always be honest and show how your personality could be an asset for the company. 

  • Tell me about a time you saw a problem and took the initiative to solve it rather than waiting for someone else to do it
  • Tell me about your proudest accomplishment in work or school
  • Tell me about a mistake you’ve made. How did you handle it?
  • Tell me about a challenging situation you overcame at work
  • Tell me five things that you are NOT

How to prepare to answer behavioral questions

Read the job description carefully. Make a list of the top skills or qualifications it calls for. Think of a story that demonstrates your ability in each area. Following the STAR technique, write your stories down, including the situation, task, action and result. Then, practice saying them out loud several times. Your answers should only take about 1 ½ to 3 minutes. In order to make a good impression, telling stories that are related to each one of these questions is crucial. Telling stories is the best way to be remembered by the recruiter.

Practice is the best way to succeed at behavioral interviews. If you would like to practice doing behavioral interviews, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me (oliver.decroock@lawrence.edu) or Grace Kutney (grace.kutney@lawrence.edu).

Oliver De Croock ’24, Student-Athlete at Lawrence University majoring in Economics and Career Peer Educator. Connect with me on LinkedIn.