Top Ten Things to Do This Summer
The end of another academic year is just around the corner, and a slow, lazy summer will surely be a welcome respite from the long hours you’ve spent in classes and studying. You’ll have a lot of free time on your hands – maybe too much – so why not use some of it to get a head start on your professional career?
The staff of Impressions is ready to help. We’ve prepared a list of things you can do this summer that will help you get ahead of the game and still leave you time to relax. Do a few things on the list, or do them all – either way, you can spend a little time preparing for life after dental school while still enjoying your summer.
1. Start preparing your resume now, before you begin your
job search.
If you wait until the last minute to start writing your resume, the chances increase that you’ll make mistakes or leave out important information. Give yourself plenty of time to create a comprehensive resume that will help you make a terrific first impression, said CDR Lynn Van Pelt, Deputy Director of the Division of Oral Health at Indian Health Service (IHS) headquarters in Rockville, MD.
“If you start working on your resume before you actually need it, the pressure is off and you can think more clearly about what you’ve done,” she said. “Once you have a good solid resume, it’s easy to update it if you need to. Search the Web for resume writing tips, formats and templates. No particular style or format is preferred over another – what’s important is to be clear, concise and complete.”
2. Plan a visit to an IHS site during your summer travel – the IHS Road Trip!
IHS sites are located in some of the most beautiful areas of the country, so why not take a great vacation and visit an IHS site at the same time? You can see what opportunity, adventure and purpose are all about, and get a realistic view of your career options with IHS. If you’re ready to pack your bags, contact an IHS facility near your vacation spot to schedule an appointment to visit the dental clinic.
3. Review the IHS Externship Program and application process.
If an IHS externship is in your plans, learn how the program can help you focus your career search. IHS externs can spend a few weeks honing their skills and learning more about IHS careers first hand. Visit http://www.dentist.ihs.gov/extern.cfm for information about the program.
“You’ll need a resume for an externship application, so this is another reason to think ahead and have your resume ready,” said CDR Van Pelt. “And here’s a special note for the Class of 2010 – the new 2009 Externship Program application instructions will be on the Web site October 1, 2008.”
4. Review the IHS “How to Apply” process and find out what will be needed in your final year of dental school.
Decisions, decisions. IHS offers three different career paths for dental professionals: the US Public Health Service Commissioned Corps, the federal Civil Service system, and direct Tribal hire. The employment process for each career path is different, but you can find basic information about each one online at http://www.dentist.ihs.gov/careers.cfm
Said CDR Van Pelt: “Keep in mind that we’re here to help you market your availability and to assist you with the employment process. The local site is responsible for the hiring, but we’ll connect you with the right people; and we’re available to answer your questions as well as put you in touch with IHS sites that are hiring.”
5. Evaluate your financial situation and review programs that may be available to assist you with your educational debt, such as the IHS Loan Repayment Program (IHSLRP).
Graduation is cause for celebration, but there’s likely to be some rain on your parade in the form of promissory notes. The IHSLRP can help you celebrate again by repaying qualifying professional education loans. Here’s the silver lining to the rain clouds: Receive up to $24,000 per year in exchange for a two-year service obligation with the option to extend your LRP contract one year at a time after the initial 2 year commitment. You can extend your LRP contract one year at a time, continue to work for the IHS, and pay off your student loans.
“Take time this summer to get all your loan paperwork in order so that you’ll have everything ready when you apply for LRP,” advised CDR Van Pelt. “It’s one way we can help you pay off your student loan burden.”
6. Round out your professional experience and add to your resume by participating in relevant volunteer and extracurricular activities.
There are plenty of volunteer organizations that can use your professional help in their work with underserved populations, said CDR Van Pelt. Volunteering with such groups does count as professional experience on your resume, and if you’d like some adventure in your life, volunteering can provide it. Check your school and community service organizations for volunteer opportunities in your area.
7. Contemplate your personal and professional needs to help determine the best career path for you.
Where do you see yourself in five years? In ten years? How will you get to there from here? These are some questions to consider when deciding which IHS career path is best for you.
Read up on the benefits of the USPHS Commissioned Corps, the federal Civil Service, and direct Tribal hire, and remember that opportunity, adventure and purpose come with all three options. All three career paths MAY lead to IHSLRP just by working Full Time in one of these career paths.
8. Look out for yourself this summer by staying healthy.
Okay, so vacation hasn’t even started yet and we’re already talking about next fall. But this is important: The crunch begins again next year, especially for D-2. You’ll be up to the challenges and will perform better if you stay healthy by eating right, drinking lots of water, exercising, and getting plenty of sleep. And sleep is the real key, said CDR Van Pelt.
“It’s a fact that lack of sleep has been shown to muddle the brain. But if you make sure you get enough sleep, everything else usually falls into place.”
9. Plan to attend conferences and meetings for career enhancement.
Round out your education, networking and career options by attending professional gatherings such as the Annual ASDA conference, regional ASDA meetings, job fairs, the USPHS Commissioned Officer Association (COA) Scientific and Training Symposium, and IHS Lunch and Learn seminars. You can learn more about the free registration and/or attend the COA Symposium in Tucson, AZ. You’ll meet dental professionals from all over the country and learn about different career opportunities. Plus, you’ll have some fun and perhaps make new friends – and that’s what summer’s all about, too.
10. Try some easy summer reading about IHS and the many Indian health facilities around the nation.
IHS, an agency within the Department of Health and Human Services, is responsible for providing federal health services to approximately 1.9 million American Indians and Alaska Natives who belong to more than 560+ federally recognized Tribes in 35 states. Learn more about IHS by visiting www.ihs.gov. Take a virtual tour of the 12 IHS Areas, where you’ll see some of the Indian health facilities and learn about the populations each Area serves.
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