Those were the words my sister uttered when I asked her
about what she was planning on including in her resume.
Many people who decide not to work while pursuing a degree
may feel the same way she did – void of any way to demonstrate the value they
can add to a potential employer. But a resume doesn’t have to include only
experience you have gained while being compensated.
Take the example of my sister. She thought she would have a
very sparse resume given that she didn’t have any jobs or internships while in
school. But I knew that her experience in her sorority would be critical to
building a demonstrated background in leadership.
Look around you.
Opportunity is there.
The great thing about college life is its diversity. I
remember when I attended college (back when you actually sent letters to your
friends, not emails, and the word “text” was only a noun, not a verb), my
campus was plastered with banners about political clubs, community focused
organizations, and religious activities that students could get involved in.
They were calling for commitments of volunteerism and leadership. No matter
what kind of student, your background or your interests, you could find a group
to be involved with.
Sororities and fraternities are great ways to gain
leadership experience. Over her four years at college, my sister led canned
food drives, organized volunteers, managed money, and created presentations to
increase club membership. On Sept. 11, 2001, she was part of a team that
collected donations for victims and their families, an effort that was
spotlighted in the school’s newspaper. As bullet points in her resume, each of
those activities showed leadership, initiative, and an ability to manage.
No money? No problem.
Just because you aren’t getting paid for them doesn’t mean
activities like these should be ignored. If you have led a team of volunteers,
you can demonstrate how you organized a team, how you communicated a message
and implemented a plan to ensure your goals are achieved. Keep in mind when
writing a resume that a recruiter will be considering many other students or
graduates with the same educational background you bring to the table. You need
to clearly define what sets you apart from the people who sat around you in
class. A resume is not the time to be shy. (See resume tips here and here.)
College can be fun.
It will be a learning experience. Most important, it undoubtedly will be
a springboard to your future. Use your time wisely because that cap and gown
comes quicker than you realize.
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