After graduation, your resume will act as your calling card. Odds are it will be the first thing potential employers look at when considering you for a job opening.
What impression will they get?
You may not have a ton of work experience to show off, but college gives you plenty of opportunities to flesh out your resume with valuable activities. Here are a few types to consider when browsing extra-curriculars at your school.
Experience
College internships help you gain valuable real-world insight into the industry of your choice. While you may not be able to say you were a salaried employee, showing prospective employers you have hands-on experience in a relevant field can go a long way toward getting jobs after college.
In fact, data shows graduates with internship experience have a better chance of securing higher salaries and receiving a job offer by graduation. Former interns are preferred during hiring by a rate of 75 percent.
Beyond internships, consider organizations at your college that may provide similar experience. For instance, if you’re a journalism major, working at your school newspaper will show you’re able to hit deadlines and follow newsroom best practices, complete with a portfolio of work examples.
Passion
It’s important to show employers you’re passionate about what they do.
A resume featuring club memberships that relate to a specific field, from mechanical engineering to computer programming to environmental science, demonstrates your interest and enthusiasm.
Leadership
Kick things up a notch by going from member to leader. After all, seventy percent of CEOs held at least one office in a college club or organization.
Show future employers you’re willing to take charge and shoulder responsibility by taking on a leadership role. Whether you run for a position in student government or act as the president of a relevant academic club, leadership qualities are impressive.
Commitment
Not all your extra-curricular activities need to be tied to a specific industry. Sometimes giving back to your community is enough to show potential employers you’re committed to helping others, which can indicate you’d be a good teammate and co-worker.
Many schools offer community service opportunities, as well as the chance to partner up with various nonprofit organizations.
See what’s available at your university and start crafting the perfect resume.