Professional work can be exciting, enjoyable, and challenging. It can also be exhausting, intense, and draining. It’s easy to let work take over your life. Especially now, as many professionals work remotely or in a hybrid setting, it’s easy for your personal and professional worlds to overlap. As a result, you may find that you’re not separating from work effectively, and you’re not taking time to recharge. Taking a break is key to being your best at work and at home. Here are a few reasons why taking time out to recharge is so important.
 

You know the feeling: school’s out for the summer and you can’t wait to sleep in, hang out with your friends, and completely forget about school until September. But while it’s tempting not to crack open a book or review any of your lessons from the past school year, taking such a long break can lead to forgetting much of what you have learned. As a result, you may go into the next school year with lower knowledge levels than when you left. Here are some ways to prevent brain drain and stay sharp over summer break.
 
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Travel of any kind can bring both excitement and anxiety. But professional and leisure travel are different, and it’s important to follow business travel etiquette when representing your organization. Keep these tips in mind when preparing for your next business trip. 

Choosing the right college can be a daunting task. Size, location, and available resources are all factors that need to be considered by prospective students and their families. Taking time to tour a college campus is the best way to get a sense of what it’s like to be a student there. Here are some tips to make the most of your college visits. 

Among the changes brought about by COVID-19 is the virtual interview, and it looks like it’s here to stay. As more jobs become remote, companies can cast a wider net to attract talent. Thanks to technologies like Zoom, Google Meet, and Microsoft Teams, employers and candidates can easily connect and meet virtually — proving both time effective and fiscally responsible for both parties. While it may be convenient, a virtual interview does come with challenges. Here are some tips to help you make a good impression on your next virtual interview. 
 

Thanks in large part to the COVID-19 pandemic, the past few years have brought new challenges for both employers and employees. Companies and individuals were forced to quickly adapt to remote and hybrid work schedules. Because they no longer needed to be in an office, many people chose to move away from major cities in favor of calmer, more affordable locales. Finally, inflation and rising interest rates have impacted people’s sense of financial security, which has prompted unexpected employment decisions. All of these factors play a role in current hiring trends. 
 

Your first trip by air is exciting. It also can be anxiety-inducing. Those nerves are best overcome by being well prepared. Familiarize yourself with the travel process, including navigating the airport and knowing what to expect during the flight. Here are some tips to help guide you through your first flight. 
 
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The end of the academic year is near, which means the pressure of finishing projects and exams, landing summer internships and jobs, and lining things up for the fall is in full force. You want to finish out the year strong, so it’s important to remember to use the tools you have to support your mental health. Ideally, you’ve set yourself up for strong mental health all year by following a healthy routine, joining clubs, and spending time with supportive people. If you find yourself becoming overwhelmed, however, there are steps you can take to regain control.   
 

Proven industry experience can make all the difference when it comes to landing your first professional job. But how can a student gain professional experience? That’s where the internship comes in. An internship is a temporary position that typically is associated with a student’s academic major or career interest. During their short tenure with an organization, an intern can gain valuable hands-on experience and insight while working in a professional role. 

“Quiet quitters” — employees who are simply meeting their job description — make up at least 50 percent of the U.S. workforce, according to a Gallup poll. This trend has increased since the COVID-19 pandemic, during which the workplace got worse for young professionals. Between working remotely and limited interaction with colleagues, employees’ motivation and drive waned. Are you among that group? 
 
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