Winter may seem like a quieter time for career services, with students heading home for the holidays or taking a break from campus activities. But this slower season provides a prime opportunity for career services teams to engage with students and employers in new ways—setting them up for success before the busy spring semester rush and maximizing the month at home.

Here’s how career services can support winter grads and all students, even during the slower winter months:

Engage Students with Targeted, Short Term Opportunities

While many students are less active during the winter break, this doesn’t mean they’re not interested in gaining experience. Use this quieter time to engage students with opportunities such as virtual career fairs, online webinars, or winter break Micro-Internships—also known as “Winternships." These flexible, short-term experiences help students stay engaged in their career development without the intensity of the typical spring recruiting season.

This is also a great time to encourage students to use the time to network as well as update their resumes, LinkedIn profiles, and portfolios, so they’re ready for the upcoming recruitment surge. By providing resources and support for these tasks, you can ensure they are prepared when hiring picks up in the new year.

Activate Employer Partners Early

With fewer students actively looking for jobs or internships during the winter, employers may also have less noise and competition for their attention. This quieter period provides an excellent opportunity for career services teams to reach out to employers and encourage them to post Micro - Internships or job opportunities, particularly for winter grads.

Winter internships—especially those aligned with the “Winternship” model—are a perfect way for employers to tap into a highly motivated student pool while filling immediate project needs. These short-term, paid opportunities can be offered remotely or in-person, allowing employers to test out potential candidates without committing to a full-time hire. Not only do these internships provide valuable experience for students, but they can also become a direct pipeline to future full-time hires.

Provide Focused One-on-One Career Counseling

Winter break can be an ideal time to provide more individualized attention to students. With fewer campus events, students may be more open to one-on-one career counseling sessions or mock interviews. Whether a student is graduating in December or in the spring, the quieter winter months allow you to dig deeper into their career goals, skills, and strategies for job searching.

Career services can provide tailored advice for specific industries or job types, helping students refine their applications or polish their interview skills. You might also consider offering specific workshops, like salary negotiation or personal branding, to help students take full advantage of these quieter months.

Revisit and Strengthen Your Employer Partnerships

The winter months offer career services teams the chance to reconnect with employers, especially those who may be less busy. Revisit partnerships, discuss any evolving needs, and encourage employers to support students through flexible internships, mentorship programs, or even short-term projects.

Winter internships are an increasingly popular way for employers to stay engaged with talent while offering students an immediate path to experience. Employers are more likely to be receptive to these opportunities when fewer students are competing for their attention.

Encourage Networking During Downtime

Networking isn’t just about in-person events—it can be just as effective online, especially when students have more flexibility during the winter break. Encourage students to use this time to strengthen their online professional presence. Suggest networking through LinkedIn, connecting with first degree, second degree or alumni connections to seek informational interviews and mentorship opportunities.

Students can also participate in virtual or industry-specific communities where they can learn about new trends, build connections, and explore potential job leads before the spring recruiting season kicks into full gear.

Leverage the Power of Winternships

If you’re looking to connect employers with your students in meaningful ways during the winter months, consider partnering with Parker Dewey to launch "Winternships." These short-term, paid internships are an excellent way to bridge the gap between the holiday break and the spring semester. They provide students with real-world experience and employers with a flexible hiring option.

Winternships can be a particularly powerful tool for winter grads, as these opportunities give them a head start on their job search, helping them develop professional skills before the traditional recruiting season begins.

Parker Dewey can help you and your employer partners launch a “Winternship” program to ensure your students stay engaged during the winter months and make meaningful career connections. Contact us today to learn more about how short-term internships can benefit both employers and students alike.

Winter doesn’t have to be a slow season for career services. By using this quieter time strategically, you can set your students and employer partners up for success in the new year. It’s the perfect moment to foster connections, provide career support, and build stronger pathways to employment—one “Winternship” at a time!