Working in an office can help with more than just the bills this summer. Summer work experience gives you the chance to explore a world you otherwise wouldn’t have had access to and take you out of your comfort zone. Office work will teach you valuable skills that will help with your academic career and beyond.
Liberty Staffing offers office work for students. In this article, we go over five important skills that students can learn through summer office work.
1. You Learn Formal Modes of Communication
Office work requires its own modes of communication. From constant emailing, to more modern office communication tools, you’ll learn how to operate effectively on these platforms. You will also learn to communicate with different types of people. You’ll come to understand how best to reach out to managers, clients, and coworkers, and what styles of communication they best respond to. Learning to be informative, concise, and interesting through these formal modes of communication will help you throughout your career.
2. Scheduling and Time Management
In an office, you’ll learn how to work on somebody else’s schedule. Working in an office five days a week will teach you the discipline it takes to show up on time, and be ready to work every day. You will also have to schedule time to work on your own projects around meetings and company events. As a result, you’ll learn how to prioritize and be able to shift your schedule to accommodate being given unexpected tasks. This improvement in time management will help you when you return to school, as well as in future jobs.
3. Presentation Skills
Depending on your program, you may not present at all during the school year. In a summer office job, chances are at some point you will need to speak at a meeting, or present to your department what you have been working on. This will improve your public speaking skills, and give you the ability to show your value to the organization.
4. Adapt to Organizational Change
No matter the size or business you work for, offices are always undergoing change. Even during a summer job, it isn’t surprising to move desks, change teams, or have a new manager halfway through your contract. This process is extremely valuable to students who are used to setting their own goals and choosing their classes. Being able to go through organizational change with a good attitude and strong work ethic will go a long way in your future.
5. How to Work in a Team
The ability to work well with others is something employers look for in a potential employee, but it’s hard to get that kind of experience in a student setting. During summer office work, it is likely that you’ll be part of a company organized into divisions, departments, and teams. As a seasonal employee, you’ll have to integrate and find your place within your team as quickly as possible. Throughout the summer, try to work on as many shared projects as possible. This can be a challenging but rewarding experience, and will also give you experiences to discuss at future job interviews. Learning to be a great team player will also provide you with valuable contacts that will help you later on as you transition from school to the workplace.
Looking for an office job this summer? Contact Liberty Staffing today!
