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The Salary Tutor:

5 Ways to Get Ahead During Summer

Summer Presents Unique Opportunities for You to Advance Your Career

1A. Expand Your Skills

After a long day of work, it’s all too easy to come home, plop down on the couch, and catch up on the latest reality show, singing contest, sporting event, or cheesy sitcom. But as the season finales unfold (with a shocking twist!) and the pro hockey and basketball champions are named, resist the urge to delve into reruns all summer.

Instead, allocate a few evenings a week to taking classes and updating your skills. Here are some ideas:

Formal classes: If an MBA or grad school is in your future, sign up for a GMAT course. Or go after a major skill that will help you at your job, such as certified training in your industry.

New media skills: Whether you’re a dialed in tech geek that needs to know the absolute latest programs, or an older worker determined to stay up with the times, there are dozens of new media websites and programs to be mastered. For example:

  • How to set up a blog
  • How to use Twitter
  • Effective use of LinkedIn
  • Photoshop and graphic design skills
  • Digital video editing
  • App and mobile development
  • Writing and editing for the web
  • Understanding web analytics and reporting

 

  • Jim Hopkinson

    Jim Hopkinson is an author, writer, and speaker living in New York City. His focus is on career development for the new economy, showing how new media, technology and branding are changing how people look at their career and lifestyle. Read more...