The holiday season is the perfect time to relax, recharge, and plan your next move. Between festive gatherings and mugs of hot cocoa, you have a golden opportunity to focus on your future.
If you’re wondering how to make your holiday break count, here are 11 practical, career-focused ways to get ahead and start the new year strong.
The people closest to you can offer more insight and support than you may realize. Use the downtime to talk with family and friends about their career journeys, professional advice, or industry insights, even if they don’t work in your specific field. You might uncover new opportunities or perspectives that help shape your next steps.
Summer may feel far off, but now is the ideal time to prepare for 2026 internship opportunities. Research local and international internship programs, review deadlines, compare cost-of-living options, and build a shortlist of positions that excite you. Some early applications are already open, so don’t wait!
Before diving into new goals, reflect on what you’ve achieved this year. What projects made you proud? What professional or academic skills have you improved? Taking stock of your 2025 wins will help you set clearer, more strategic goals for the year ahead and give your confidence a well-deserved boost.
Use this quiet period to define both short-term and long-term goals. Ask yourself:
Where do I want to be by the end of 2026? What steps will get me closer to my five-year plan?
Write down everything: from professional aspirations to personal milestones. Even if a goal feels ambitious, getting it on paper is the first step.
Many students miss out on great opportunities simply because they wait too long to apply. Take advantage of the holiday lull to research, bookmark, and apply for internships and entry-level jobs. Create a master list of positions with links, descriptions, and deadlines to stay organized.
Feeling uncertain about your next step? Journaling can help you sort through your options. Write about your hopes for next year, your career doubts, or any decisions you’re grappling with. This exercise can bring clarity and reduce stress, especially when the future feels overwhelming.
Use the holiday break to refresh your resume. Add any new experience, refine bullet points, and tailor it for the 2026 roles you’re targeting. Ask a trusted family member or friend to review it, or compare it to internship listings to spot skill gaps.
Getting ahead professionally also means clearing your personal backlog. Take care of things you've been putting off, whether it’s scheduling a dentist appointment, organizing your digital files, or updating your devices. These small wins free up mental space for bigger goals.
With some free time, now’s a great opportunity to build a personal website, digital portfolio, or LinkedIn profile. Highlight your academic work, skills, and internship experience. A strong online presence makes you more discoverable and shows initiative to potential employers.
Take a moment to thank the people who supported your journey this year. A quick thank-you message to a mentor, boss, professor, or friend goes a long way and helps maintain valuable relationships in your network.
The holidays aren’t just for food - feed your curiosity too. Watch a documentary, read that career guide or article you bookmarked, or listen to a podcast that broadens your perspective. These low-effort, high-impact activities expand your thinking and can spark new ideas for the year ahead.
Your holiday break doesn’t have to be all-or-nothing. There’s plenty of time for rest and progress. Whether you’re preparing your resume, planning an internship abroad, or simply journaling about your goals, each step moves you closer to a more successful 2026.