Are you planning a trip away? You might be surprised to know that a vacation can actually help you develop your professional skills while in college. An adventure will help you develop skills that you will be able to take with you into the workplace. You will also stand out from the crowd in an interview when you can recount the amazing adventure you went on during your college years.
1. Develop your teamwork skills
During your travels, you will need to plan trips and arrange common goals. In order to have a great trip, everyone in your group will need to communicate effectively and actively participate in planning.
Prospective employers are also looking for individuals who can work cooperatively with others and contribute to a group. Most interviewers will touch on the topic of teamwork during an interview. You will often be asked to think about a time when you have worked with others and provide an example.
2. Improve your communication and social skills
The most valuable skills to have are communication and “people” skills. Employers are looking for candidates who know how to relate to other people, work with individuals from different backgrounds and those who are strong negotiators. These skills are the foundation to any successful career and you will need to be a great communicator to get ahead. While traveling, you will have to deal with language barriers, different cultures and social norms. Part of traveling is immersing yourself in these differences and broadening your communication skills.
- Learn to manage your time effectively
One major skill to any role is efficient time management. This doesn’t only mean getting projects done on time but also setting priorities, goals and being smart about your time. Time management also involves how you allocate time for yourself outside of the workplace.
When you are on a trip, the most important factor to having a fun vacation is effectively managing your time away. It takes excellent planning skills to maximise the time you have on vacation. This includes catching flights, seeing an entire city in a short space of time or exploring multiple countries all in one year. Just like the workplace, this involves creating to-do lists, smart goals and careful consideration.
Plan your trip today!
Who knew an adventure could become an opportunity to develop yourself professionally? Get out there and discover new places in between classes. The benefits of travel are endless – including valuable learnings for your first career.
Amy Pritchett is a travel blogger who write about walks, cottages and spas (wegoplaces.me). She encourages all college students to take an adventure away to grow and develop themselves both personally and professionally.
