The books are put away, the laptop is closed, and the backpack is hung up in your closet. It’s summertime!

Whether you just donned your cap and gown and said goodbye to high school or college (congrats!) or if you’re gearing up for a summer break from school, there’s no doubt that you’re looking forward to some downtime. While leisure is definitely a must for a great summer, this can also be a good opportunity to get your head in the game of your career!

After graduation, there can be lots of pressure to make big moves in the professional world. But before you dive headfirst into work, there are some things you should explore first to ensure you’re heading in the right direction, both for yourself and your career.

First, what type of job is right for you? Are you looking to test out the waters and develop your skills and resume, or do you already know where you want to focus your energies? For instance, here at Integrity Staffing Solutions, we offer full- and part-time positions, as well as temporary and permanent roles, giving associates the options they need to find work that works for them. If you’re just getting out of school, you might want to take it slow with a temp position to build up your experience—but if you’ve got your sights set on your career goals, you may be ready for permanent, full-time work. Giving those questions some thought before you move ahead with applications can help ensure you’re moving into a role that will take your career where you’d like it to go.

Exploring your skills and interests is also key to figuring out what your first postgrad position is going to look like. Do you want to work in a fast-paced environment, are you eager for teamwork, do you feel like you thrive with flexibility? If you’re coming straight from college or looking for a position during a school break, consider what environments have helped you succeed in the classroom and think about how to replicate those in a work setting. At Integrity Staffing Solutions, we offer everything from warehouse positions to clerical to administrative, giving prospective associates the variety needed to help them find a position and organization that suits their goals, passions, interests and skills.

Honing those skills can be an important aspect of your next job out of college or during your summer break. This experience should be looked at as an opportunity to better understand your strengths and where you might need some focus, as well as to gain valuable, hands-on experience. Even if fulfilling your ultimate career aspirations seems like a long way away, it’s never too early to stay laying the groundwork for success—and summer is the perfect time to get started!