The current period has brought about negative consequences for some, but also provides the valuable asset of increased free time and an opportunity to invest in yourself.
Young people thinking about their future careers can use their enhanced free time effectively, either by learning new skills or gaining experience that could make all the difference down the line.
Here’s 3 ways you can help prepare yourself for future success during the pandemic period.
1. Learn a new skill.
“If only I had more time.”
Usually, when older generations are asked why they didn’t pursue skills they wanted to learn, lack of time is the answer.
‘Pandemic Productivity’ is a term you may have come across in recent weeks. Even if you’ve heard it a thousand times since the start of lockdown, the gift of time when it comes to learning something new remains a huge asset. If you have an abundance of free time, you have a great opportunity to put it to good use.
There are plenty of skills that students, athletes and graduates can be learning to boost their future employability and prospects whilst at home during lockdown.
These include:
- Learning a coding language, if you’re interested in career like computer programming or app development.
- Practicing hobbies like photography, filmmaking or writing if you’re attracted by creative industries such as advertising and content creation.
- Learning a new language if you’d like to increase your chances of being able to work abroad.
2. Volunteer.
One of the best ways to learn on the job is to volunteer with companies in sectors you’re interested in. You’ll also find out if certain roles are right for you, which is invaluable when embarking on your career.
Volunteering looks great on your CV as it shows you’re proactive and keen to invest in your personal development.
During the Covid-19 period, many businesses are conducting volunteering placements from home, giving young people the chance to turn their free time into professional experience.
We recommend working on your CV (which can be enhanced with the skills we’ve mentioned above), and then creating a list of businesses that you’d like to work for. Then, head to their websites and reach out to them via the email addresses usually found on their ‘Contact Us’ pages. LinkedIn is also a great resource for contacting managers at companies you’re interested in.
Don’t get disheartened if you don’t hear back right away. Be persistent and keep your list lengthy and varied.
3. Read.
“The man who does not read has no advantage over the man who cannot read.”
Whatever field you’re interested in, reading around the subject can have lifelong benefits and change the course of your professional life. Reading takes time, but now you have more of it!
Reading expands your vocabulary (which helps with subject knowledge but also in conversational settings such as job interviews), stimulates your imagination and improves focus and concentration over time.
Earlier this month, we talked about our top 5 books for business and sporting success on our blog.
—
At The Transition Phase, we believe Athletes are extremely valuable to organisations.
We’re an early careers programme that supports talent from a high-level sporting background. We utilise our own experience of having successfully transitioned careers to provide athletes with career guidance and support, making them aware of their transferrable skills and how they can be utilised in a professional environment, whilst providing organisations with access to high potential talent.