College is truly an experience which greatly depends on what you put into it. Your resume is a reflection of the investment you’ve placed into your college career. A good resume is essential to landing that dream job you’ve been wanting.
Good grades and a goal to obtain a college degree are just the basics of your resume and if that’s all you have, you have some work to do.
Let’s get down to business.
Tammy Manko, IUP’s Assistant Director for Employer Relations and Development, suggest that a student with more to his or her resume will have an advantage in the job market.
“You give yourself an edge,” says Manko. “Employers are really looking for that.”
Manko gives tips for students to boost up their resumes while still in college.
• Be active on campus-Get out of your dorm room and get acquainted with your peers, attend events on campus, be social! Attending events can give you the opportunity to network with people who may be in your field. The connections you create in college are valuable and essential to your success.
• Get involved in organizations –There are endless opportunities for students to join an organization. Find out if your department has a club or organization. If you have an interest in a particular topic, chances are, there’s an organization with the same interest. Can’t find an organization or club to suit your needs? Start your own!
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• Volunteer in the community-There are different ways you can help out beyond the campus. A list of volunteer opportunities in the community is posted on IUP’s website under Volunteer Services. There are also plenty of organizations on campus needing a helping hand.
• Have work experience-This doesn’t necessarily mean have a job in your dream career; it can mean having experience in your field of interest. For instance, if you’re a nursing major and you volunteered at a hospital; that’s work experience. If you can get a job in your field while still in college, that’s great. The Career Development Center can help you find a job on or off campus.
• Have at least one internship in your field-Instead of lounging around on the couch in the summer, why not gain experience in your field? Talk to your advisor or go to the Career Development Center and ask about applying for an internship. Already have an internship? Try for two! The more out-of-class experience you have, the better.
The goal here is to have an employer look at your resume and become eager to hire you. It is important to make yourself marketable for the field of your interest. Employers are looking for a well-rounded individual who will prove to be a valuable asset to the company.
The tools are all around you, all you need to do is use them.
photos courtesy of
redstartresume.com
identitymagazine.com