Everyone loves summer. But that doesn’t mean it’s easy to manage.
School breaks, vacations, holidays, and family gatherings are great times to recharge and refresh. But just because everyone’s got their picnic baskets and beach bags packed doesn’t mean the change in routine and schedules isn’t tricky. So, we talked to several Salo consultants for their thoughts on summer time plans, asking them:
How do you manage and plan for summer breaks and vacations?
Angela Ciagne, Finance and Accounting Consultant
parent of two children, ages 8 and 10
My husband and I are complete opposites when it comes to travel. I have everything planned; he prefers spontaneity. I have found the big rock analogy key to our vacation success. I plan all of the big rocks, reserving all the major activities and hard-to-get dinner reservations in advance, and leave the rest—the pebbles and sand—to spontaneously fill in as we go.
Tony Doran, HR Consultant
parent of two children, ages 6 and 2
Always schedule downtime and stay flexible. While it’s good to have activities planned, I try to stay aware that traveling with young children is often unpredictable. Ultimately, what’s most important is having fun and making memories together.
Kamala Gurung, Finance and Accounting Consultant
parent of two children, ages 5 and 8
My philosophy on summer vacation? Happy kids make happy trips. So—avoid long lines if possible. Start each day of vacation with a good breakfast. Download movies to electronic gadgets ahead of time in case of gaps in wifi And always, always make sure to carry some goodies in your handbag to distract your kids. Just one gummie bear goes a long way.
Dedra Weigman, HR Consultant
parent of two children, ages 4 and 2
Being a mom is amazing but also chaotic when balancing life and work. Here are two things I’d recommend for keeping summer manageable. First, summer program options are key. There are so many options that are fun, outside, and offer variety for your kids. And second, when I’ve been uncertain about planning a trip, because I’m not sure if I’ll be ending or beginning a new engagement as a consultant, I just book it anyway. Being a Salo consultant has put me in the driver’s seat when it comes to my schedule, especially in the summertime.
Need more flexibility in your career?
Salo, a Korn Ferry company, is a talent firm focused on finding meaningful consulting careers for finance, accounting, and HR professionals. Looking for a career options that offer more flexibility and balance? Connect with us today.
