5 Career-Boosting Summer Activities

Amid the sporting events, parties, and outdoor activities that undoubtedly will fill your summer, there are valuable opportunities to advance your career. Try a few of these to maximize the warm weather months.

Take golf lessons. Earn some serious one-on-one time with the CEO, or score networking contacts during a company outing. Adding golf to your resume can get you an in at places you never would have expected. Get a few private lessons from a pro for $40-$70 a session, or start with the driving range where you can perfect your swing for peanuts.

Organize a company outing. Whether you head to the park, the beach, or a happy hour at an outdoor cafe, planning a fresh air activity for your co-workers will do everyone some good. Extend the invitation to family and friends so everyone feels more at ease.

Take advantage of Summer Fridays. While everyone else scurries out by 2p.m. for weddings and weekend getaways, you can gain a serious edge on the competition by finding freelance work or taking a foreign language class.

Enter a charity race. Google "charity races" in your city and find a cause that you're passionate about, or one that aligns with your company's mission. (Some charities that host events in multiple cities around the country are Walk to Cure Diabetes, Avon Walk for Breast Cancer, National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Race for the Cure, and Walk America.) Introduce the charity to your co-workers and invite them to make donations, or better yet, to attend themselves!

Throw a block party. How many of your neighbors' professions can you name? Probably only a few, which means there are plenty of valuable connections waiting for you around the corner. First, put a flyer in all the mailboxes on your street inviting neighbors to attend an organizational meeting. Then together you can decide on a date, a theme, and who will bring what. (Don't forget to contact town officials about having the road barricaded if you expect a big turnout.) Finally, send out invitations and make sure to order a fresh batch of business cards!