To get your resume into that “yes” pile, get involved on campus right away

On November 11, 2010

Amanda Elser
Penn State University

 

The post comes from our partners at USA Today College. Read more great posts in their blog.

Here is the thing about college – it can be a bit overwhelming. All of a sudden, the best years of your life turn into an anxious and stressful roller-coaster to decide what you want to do after graduation.

But don’t fret. Enjoying yourself in college and becoming passionately involved in campus activities can get your resume into that “yes” pile.

In today’s job market, universities pound it into their students that the best way to get a position is to have a mile-long list of internships and work experience. And while internships and co-ops are important aspects to being successful after graduation, they shouldn’t be the main focus of concern during your years as an undergrad.

Bob Martin, Assistant Dean for Internships and Career Placement at Penn State said the best thing for students to do is combine leadership roles and relevant experience – starting from the very beginning.

Freshmen Year

Start off slow. The first semester of your college career is an important one and you should take the time to adjust to a new lifestyle and atmosphere. While it is important to not overwhelm yourself at once, your first semester is an important time to establish your campus life. Try joining one particular organization to develop your time management skills. Some schools hold recruitment for Greek life in the fall, which could be a great stepping-stone to even more leadership roles on campus. If toga parties aren’t for you join an activity that does suit your hobbies. The important thing to remember is that it doesn’t have to be directly linked to your intended career path. Getting involved in something you are truly interested in can lead to excellent leadership roles that shine through on any resume.

Sophomore Year

After you lose your Freshmen 15 and regain a normal sleeping pattern, sophomore year is the perfect time to get involved in more extracurricular activities and even take on that part time job your parents have been nagging you about. Depending on your major, your workload may be lighter because you are still taking general education classes so the time to branch out is now. If your intended major is still something that interests you and you want to learn more about it, try joining a club that is geared towards people that share you common interest. If you’re a journalism student, write for you school paper. If you’re a business major, join your college’s business association. With activities like these under your belt, your college career will start to gain an air of credibility.

Junior and Senior Year

Now that you have established a list of activities to keep you busy, your junior year is the time for you to excel. Whether you’re a science major involved in theater or an English major involved in the robot club – passion translates. Take on a few leadership roles to prove how dedicated you are. An effective professionally relevant role in any organization will look good on a resume.

Martin suggests that if you are passionate about Ta Kwon Do for example, then become the publicity chair if you are PR major. A professionally relevant role in any organization will look good on a resume and four years of being actively involved on campus pays off in the end. “On-campus experiences can truly separate you from the crowd and show how dynamic of an individual you really are,” he said.

Martin adds that from his experience, prospective employers want dynamic go-getters that can multitask and perform well in a variety of capacities. And when it comes down to it, the more you are involved in, the more you would have to talk about in an interview. “Relevant on-campus experiences are often great conversation starters,” Martin said.

Lea Goldman, Deputy Editor at Marie Claire Magazine, said she has a list of criteria when resumes cross her desk. “Internships are no longer the differentiator,” she said. “I look for entrepreneurialism and involvement. I want to see something you’re passionate about.”

Resumes that showcase personality is what Goldman looks for in potential employees. “Give me real insight into your personality and really tell me about yourself,” she said. Goldman relates that she gets a lot of applicants interested in writing and is usually turned off by their narrow experiences. “There are opportunities everywhere,” she said. “There is no excuse.”


Amanda Elser is a student at Penn State University in Altoona Blair, PA.

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