Each fall, when I address the freshman class, one of the things I tell them is, “Today is the day you start building your personal resume.” Since many of the students are still struggling to find their way from the residence hall to class, this is often met by wide-eyed stares and sometimes a few nervous giggles.
Inevitably some brave soul will ask, “What are you talking about?” and provide me the perfect segue to discuss why being an engaged student is as critical to one’s success as is a strong academic program. The latter will provide the intellectual basis for success, the former will help you learn and develop the skills and traits you need to succeed.
Communication skills top almost any list of skills sought after by employers (or graduate and professional schools). Organizations need people who have the ability to listen, write and speak effectively. Certainly you’ll have an opportunity to learn those skills in a variety of classes, but what better way to hone them than to participate in student government or a student organization that requires you to communicate a position, argue for a cause or inspire others to participate. Experiences such as these demonstrate that you are an effective communicator that possesses desirable skills – critical information to include on your personal resume.
Perhaps as part of the organization, you’ll be asked to work with a group of fellow students to plan, organize and implement a project or meeting. That experience can help you demonstrate your ability to relate to others, work with others and be sensitive to other people and their cultures: All skills identified as critical to success in the modern workplace.
As students, I recognize there are a lot of demands on your time…class, sleeping, studying, sleeping, eating, sleeping, exercising, sleeping, working and sleeping. So you might be wondering how you can find the time to get engaged in campus activities. Believe it or not, the best students are those who get involved. Why? Because engaged students learn to manage their time. Prioritizing what needs to be done when, and juggling a variety of tasks, demonstrates your ability to manage multiple priorities.
Regardless of the opportunities you may or may not have had in high school, college is the perfect time to try new things. On my campus, we have more than 150 social, honorary and special-interest clubs. Come from the desert? Why not try kayaking? Never been out of state? How about studying abroad for a semester? Want to make a point? How about working elbow-to-elbow with your professor doing research? The goal is to expand your horizons, have fun and demonstrate your willingness to learn something new.
Employers (and graduate and professional schools) want people who are passionate, self-confident, self-motivated, dependable and honest. Campus clubs, organizations and volunteer opportunities provide the perfect laboratory for you to cultivate and demonstrate these traits.
Today you begin building your personal resume – the resume that validates how you have taken an active part in your education and have prepared for success. Seize the opportunity.