One of the most popular phrases you hear in college is “start early.” Every mentor, professor, and alumnus encourages you to get involved with something as soon as possible. But how do you know where to start? What kind of experience should you actually be looking for in college? There is an undeniable amount of pressure on students to “get involved” and “build that resume” as soon as possible. These so-called resume builders can be fun, but also intimidating and, at times, complicated. As someone who’s dipped their toe into a little bit of everything, here are my thoughts on the many different resume builders you can pursue in college.
- Clubs
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In my opinion, joining a club is the easiest way to begin building up your resume. There are countless options at every University- UConn alone prides itself in having over 700 different clubs and student organizations. There is an involvement fair every fall and spring at UConn that allows all these organizations to table and interact with prospective members.
These options can be overwhelming, so how do you know which clubs to get involved with? Consider which clubs are the most popular for people within your major or related field. For example, Mock Trial, Model UN, and Law Society are all very common clubs for people on a pre-law track. However, this is simply a starting point. Your future is not dependent on you joining the “right” club for your aspiring field. In fact, there is no wrong club to join. If you are interested in the club, and it assists in your personal or professional goals, then it is worth investing your time in. It is more important to get involved with a club you feel passionate about. The uniqueness of your choices only adds to the value of your resume.
Original photo by Allie West - Research
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Research is something that I realized many students struggle to find opportunities with. The general advice I’ve heard is, “email a professor and ask about their interests and what they are researching”. This idea of “cold emailing” can be pretty intimidating for students, especially when there is no prior connection to the professor. I personally found it easier to explore research opportunities with professors with whom I had previously developed a positive relationship. This relationship doesn’t have to be an extensive, long-term connection. It could just be that you participated actively and did well in their class. If the professor knows your name and work ethic, you’re already miles above others who may be emailing them with no connection.
Research is also something that will look very different depending on your field or interests. It can be experiments in a lab, literature reviews, arguing new ideas, and more. There is no single structure to what research can look like in your college career. If there doesn’t seem to be a professor researching what you want to do, then I suggest proposing your own research project. There are so many resources and funding opportunities to promote student-led research.
It’s important to remember that this is a chance for you to explore your own interests. Research is meant to expand your horizons and help you develop as a scholar. You do not want to designate a significant amount of your time into a project you aren’t passionate about. Follow your own curiosity!
- Internships
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Internships are a great way to gain some professional development. They allow you to try out different career paths and ease the growing pains as you shift from student life to the professional world.
The most common struggle I’ve experienced is deciding which internship opportunities to apply for. In a world where people are constantly complaining about the job market, it can seem like opportunities are hard to come by and ultra-niche. I particularly struggled with knowing if I should even bother applying to some of the internships that weren’t exactly what I wanted to do. What I learned is that internships are opportunities to explore different areas and learn about different pathways. The goal is to see what life is like working in a field that you’re interested in. If your perspectives on things change- you’re doing it right! You should take the time while interning to evaluate what you like and don’t like about the work that either you’re doing or what those around you are working on. This is the time to try things out, ask questions, and consistently reflect on your day-to-day experiences.
Some internships are more competitive than others. This does not necessarily make the experience more valuable than others. Internships, for the most part, are what you make of them. There are many opportunities to learn from those in your prospective field and to collaborate on projects or concepts. My advice is to talk to everyone. Create an elevator pitch to introduce yourself to others, and ask them questions about their experiences. You never know what valuable connections will come your way.
Original photo by Allie West - leadership
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Leadership itself is not an activity. Rather, leadership is a skill that recruiters and employers look for within your resume. It is a demonstration of your personal growth and development; therefore, there are a million different ways to go about obtaining this skill.
You can show leadership in the other resume builders listed above. For example, go beyond just joining a club. Participate, go to that club’s meetings and events, or even run for an elected position on that club’s board. Similarly, in research and internships, there will be a certain expectation of initiative. This initiative to submit a research proposal, take on responsibilities at your internship and work with others will all show your excellent leadership abilities. But what more can you do?
Push yourself. The best way to embark on personal growth is to take risks and try new things. This will, at the same time, develop your own sense of self and help make you the “leader” that everyone seems to be looking for.
One of the most meaningful experiences I’ve pursued is a short study abroad. I applied directly to a summer program at Queen’s University in Belfast, Northern Ireland. There was nobody else from my school there. In fact, I did not know a single other person before my arrival. But I survived, I learned, and I grew. Experiences like this will come across your path many times throughout your college experience. UConn has endless opportunities through its Experiential Global Learning Program and Alternative Break Initiative. I encourage you to take advantage of every opportunity that comes your way. If you hear about something interesting, look into it! Talk to your advisors, friends, parents, or anyone.
Original photo by Allie West
Endless opportunities, your career
There are endless ways to become more involved on campus and develop professionally. Beyond building a resume, these experiences are for YOU. Take advantage of all the different opportunities that are bound to come your way. Every single activity and experience will point you towards what’s next. And remember, you don’t have to tackle everything at once. I hope this article will help you get started on your resume-building journey in college!