When you're working a full-time job, finding time to enjoy the warm, bright summer weather can be a challenge. This is especially true for young professionals, as many of them are used to having summers off (or, at the very least, having a flexible summer schedule). But there's no need to feel trapped behind your cubicle walls. Go out and enjoy summer!
Here are a few tips for making the most of your summer while working full time.
1. Grab Some Foldable Chairs
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Keep a couple of foldable camping chairs at the office so you and a co-worker can catch some rays during lunch—whether it's in the park or the parking lot.
2. Keep A Beach Bag In Your Car
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Keep a bag full of summer supplies for your favorite summer activities. Having a bag (or, in my case, a backseat) full of towels, sunscreen, and swimwear keeps you prepared for anything. Friends hitting up the pool after work? You're covered. Once the clock strikes five, you can head to your destination of choice immediately.
3. Plan An Office Outing
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Plan an office field trip to the beach, the park, or the pool. Just do something fun so your brain can recharge and refresh!
4. Organize Group Walks
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Get a bunch of co-workers together and go on regular walks around town during lunch. (Or you could suggest a quick jaunt over to the ice cream shop.) This is a great way to get some fresh air, sunshine, and exercise.
5. Eat Lunch At The Park
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When you find yourself eating out, hit up places with a deck, porch, or patio of some sort. Obviously, eating out every day isn't really a feasible option for most of us, so look into alternative ideas as well. Pack a lunch and hit the park for your own little picnic.
6. Organize Office Sports
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Whether it's setting up an official office sports team or just hanging out with your colleagues a few times a week, playing sports is a great way to get out and enjoy the weather. Have a field nearby? Try setting up some slow-pitch softball games. Or see if you can get a basketball hoop for the office so you and a few co-workers can shoot some hoops at lunch.
7. Join A Professional Group
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During the summer, professional networking groups often have fun events like harbor cruises, pub crawls, and outdoor mixers. Find a professional group in your area and make networking fun this summer.
8. Have An Office BBQ
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Get your grill on! Talk to your boss about setting up an office BBQ. Ask everyone to contribute their favorite dish, side, or drink. Fire up the grill and relax! Hey, it's summer after all.
9. Wake Up Early
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Yes, yes, I know...waking up early is an incredibly painful and unbearable experience for some of us, but waking up even an hour earlier has its benefits—especially in the summer. Go for a morning run, putter around in the garden, or watch the sunrise with a loved one. Talk about starting the day off right!
10. Strategically Use Your Time Off
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Strategically use your vacation days around holidays. This way, you can make a potentially long weekend longer without having to use too much of your precious vacation time. Half days are also pretty awesome. It's amazing how much you can do with four extra hours! If you want an early weekend but don't want to burn up your vacation days too quickly, try taking a half day on a Friday instead of using a full day off.
11. Bike To Work
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If you're one of the lucky few who live within walking or biking distance of work, take advantage of it! Not only will you get plenty of fresh air, but you'll also save money on gas, which is always a plus!
There are plenty of easy ways to enjoy summer when you work a full-time job. So this summer, try out a few of these ideas and make the most of the sunshine and warm weather—while they're still around!
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This is the career story of a nonprofit development director as told to JustJobs.com Academy. This site features real stories from professionals in a myriad of professions. If you have considered a career in philanthropy, read on to learn what the job is really like from this Associate Director of Development. Visit JustJobs for more interviews with philanthropy professionals including one from a fundraiser and a giving coordinator and many others.
I have been employed for several years in a Development Department for a nonprofit agency. My job titles have changed along the way and currently I am the Associate Director of Development. It's expected that I will eventually be the Director, but it's unclear when that might happen. My organization supports people with developmental disabilities by assisting with location of resources, operating group homes, and offering many respite options for families.
I entered this field for several reasons. My biggest motivation was the desire to do something that mattered and to help make this world a better place. I was aware my salary would probably range between $30,000- $40,000 for a while, but when I am named Director I expect to be making closer to the mid $60s. Clearly, I didn't select this career path with dreams of vast wealth. There are many other rewards that keep me going and I truly love my job.
One of the nice things about working at a nonprofit is that we get a great vacation package and 12 paid holidays. I always joke they can't pay us very well but they are happy to give us enough days off to make up for that.
To work in the development field, it's vital to have at least a two-year degree. A Masters degree is not required, but if you want to advance to a management position, it will help you get there. We are also offered tuition reimbursement if we decide to further our education. That benefit helped me complete my Masters degree.
My position involves wearing many hats. In a typical day I might spend 1-2 hours making phone calls to donors and event sponsors. I run committees that are overseeing various events and fundraising drives. I work on marketing campaigns, talk with reporters, and edit our agency newsletter. No two days are exactly the same and I am never bored.
I often meet with donors to maintain relationships, thanking them for their support and ensuring their future commitment. Those meetings are a highlight for me. It's a time to pause and talk about the successes of our organization and share the details of our future goals. Those conversations always fill me with both pride and anticipation for what I do. My passion is evident and my fundraising goals are reached because of it. People respond when you are genuine.
Another wonderful part of my job is when I have the opportunity to spend time with the men and women our agency supports. They live in group homes that are lovely, clean, and very homey. The staff is exceptional and their compassion and kindness is humbling. I am consistently impressed by the wonderful people we employ. Seeing the smiles and pride on the faces of the men and women in the homes is simply priceless.
There have been a few challenges along the way. Nonprofits often run short-staffed to save costs. Unfortunately, that means I often find myself working extra hours to pick up the slack. Balancing my home and work life is very difficult at times. I have learned to set boundaries and to be open with my supervisors about what I can and cannot do. I no longer accept deadlines that will require excess hours. I was uncomfortable in the beginning because it's in my nature to please people. However, I am glad I made the stand and I feel much better about my time now. Additionally, they agency recently approved a part-time position to assist in my department. I smiled to myself when I heard. I guess they finally admitted that I was doing the work of 1.5 people.
There's a certain type of person who will do well in a nonprofit environment. If you are motivated by the knowledge that your work is positively affecting lives, this could be the job for you.
Associate director of disabled image from Shutterstock
