Guest Author Mariana Ashley is a freelance writer who particularly enjoys writing about online colleges. She loves receiving reader feedback, which can be directed to mariana.ashley031@gmail.com.
Develop Your Resume While in College
Students shouldn’t wait until after graduation to think about the experiences and skills that they need to begin their careers. Here are some ways that you can develop your credentials while in college so that you are prepared to submit your resume as soon as you receive that diploma.
Academic Accomplishments
As a student you may feel like going to school is a full-time job. If this is the case, you shouldn’t hold back when it comes to your academic accomplishments that you are particularly proud of. And I’m not talking about listing that you an A on a particularly difficulty final exam, you want to list accomplishments that are unique and set you apart from the typical student. This could include a professor choosing to enter your research paper in a contest or your painting being selected for a student art showcase. You can also list other accomplishments that are common but still impressive, such as number of times you made the dean’s list, maintaining a high GPA, or being a member of a honor society.
Work Experience
Even if you don’t need the money, working can benefit you as far as experience goes. Keep in mind that it will be harder for an employer to believe that you will make a good employee if you have never worked a day in your life. Having a part-time job or internship in college will ensure that your resume doesn’t draw a blank when it comes to the “Professional Experience” category. Being able to show that you held down a job while in school is a good indicator of you work ethic and level of responsibility. Internships can also be particularly valuable as they can help you gain experience in an area that is relevant to the career you want.
Leadership Positions
Employers want to see that not only were you a good student in college but that you were able to apply that your knowledge and efforts out of the classroom. Becoming involved at school and obtaining a leadership position within a student organization is one great way to sharpen your leadership skills and abilities to manage, organize, and motivate. This doesn’t always mean being elected president of an organization, you can obtain experience through many types of positions such as student chair, council member, or group leader. If you can’t commit to a position for the entire year take on a short-term leadership role by volunteering to organize a community service project or be in charge of planning a social event.
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