job resume for college student

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College Student

College Student resume examples & templates

Choosing the right resume format for car sales

Include your contact information, make use of a summary, outline your college work experience, include the relevant key skills that make you a great candidate (even as a college student), detail your education & relevant certifications, pick the right resume layout and design for a college student resume.

Stepping out into the professional world as a college student or fresh graduate can seem difficult and confusing, with so many options on the path to a good job. You can give yourself a winning edge with the right methods for creating an awesome college resume. You might actually get a dream job right out of the gate, with a little luck and a toolbox of insights. 

Writing a resume for a college student is different from one for an established professional. You’ll need to highlight varied experience from internships , academic positions, volunteer work , and more. Remember, other college students have the same coursework and degrees to show, so your resume is key to proving why you’re the best candidate for a competitive position.

Resume guide for a college student resume

Accelerate success with Resume.io. Our guides and resume examples cover over 500 professions, and our resume builder makes creating a compelling resume easier than ever.

This resume guide and corresponding college student resume example will cover the following:

How to write a college student resume

• Choosing the right resume format for college students
• How to add your contact information
• Using summaries
• Adding your college experience
• Listing education and relevant experience
• Picking the right resume design/layout
• What the job market looks like, and what salary you can expect

The very first step in writing your college student resume is understanding what sections to include. Your resume should contain the following elements:

• The resume header
• The resume summary (aka profile or personal statement)
• The employment history section
• The resume skills section
• The education section

Lack of work experience is what usually makes student or graduate resumes inherently different from most job seekers. 

But, you can still build a strong professional profile to impress anyone! To create a persuasive narrative, gather as much information as possible about the job you’re applying for, the skills needed, and the people doing the hiring. Identify the company’s needs and showcase how you’re the person who can fulfill those needs. To craft a great college student resume, stick to this winning formula:

• Remember to highlight accomplishments rather than responsibilities. All of your classmates were assigned similar tasks, but what unique value did you bring to the class or internship?
• It’s essential to customize each application you submit for the specific employer or opportunity. You should not only tailor the writing but also the formatting and tone of your resume.
• When submitting online, optimize your resume with appropriate keywords so it won’t be filtered out by ATS screening software . Read more about ATS below.

Optimize for the ATS

Automated recruiting technology is a reality in today's job market and hiring practices. You'll need to understand the nature of applicant tracking systems (ATS) to pass this technical barrier to getting an awesome position. 

ATS software is designed to help recruiters and hiring managers sort through hundreds of resumes. This is done by automatically processing, analyzing, and scoring your resume based on keywords. As a result, certain vital sections of your resume will require extra attention.

The terms that describe job qualifications and requirements are often the same ones that the ATS searches for when processing your resume. So, pay attention to what’s obvious and give yourself an easy advantage. Stay consistent with the employers' terminology in your resume wording. 

U.S. survey results show that, in general, 75% of resumes are never seen by human eyes. Automated screening technology can become a resume black hole. If you're sending your resume through an ATS channel, keywords may be the deciding factor whether a recruiter will actually get to see it. To learn more about conquering the ATS, check out our article Resume ATS optimization .

The most commonly used chronological resume format is designed as a straightforward way for job candidates to organize their experience and qualifications below employer headings and dates, in order from most recent to earliest. But, for college students or recent graduates who lack work experience, other resume formats may be more suitable. 

Like every consideration when preparing your resume, the format you choose should depend on the type of job and industry, and how best to present yourself as an ideal match. 

In cases where specialized knowledge and skills are just as important as where you have worked until now—if not more so—a functional resume may be your best bet. It offers greater flexibility to emphasize your most relevant strengths up front in a section labeled “Experience.” 

A hybrid, or combination, resume format offers even more versatility. Job seekers can integrate chronological and functional elements in the most applicable manner, and perhaps even put their education section higher up on the page. 

Never underestimate the importance of a distinctive resume header to set yourself apart from other candidates. An eye-pleasing header design gets your resume noticed for the right reason. Not only does it contribute to the document’s overall reader-friendliness but also readily identifies who you are and how you can be contacted for an interview.

The most important goal is that your contact information is easily accessible. Just as important, however, is that it’s professionally presented. 

• Full name & title . List your first and last name. Use the title of the role you are pursuing.
• Professional email address . Use a clean format like [email protected] . Don’t use a quirky, unprofessional email address or an .edu.
• Phone number . List a number where you can be readily contacted, with a professional voicemail greeting.
• Location . List only your city and state . Note 'Willing to Relocate' here if applicable.
• LinkedIn . Even as a college student, you should create a LinkedIn profile that is active , relevant, and aligned with your resume. Include the URL in your header.

Don’t include:

• Date of birth : Not necessary and could potentially lead to age discrimination .
• Personal details : Marital status, social security number, passport number , etc.

Jenna Smith

Research Assistant

090-080-0000

[email protected]

Rarely does a college student or new graduate have much to showcase in the way of rich work experience. But, what you can have is a college student resume that paints a picture of a determined, positive, and productive personality. 

This is what your summary is for . It's your personal story. In fact, it may be your best chance to stand out from hundreds of other applicants, including college students with similar educational backgrounds. 

So, make sure not to squander this valuable opportunity by merely copying and pasting a block of generic text. Instead, catch the recruiter's eye off the top, in the very first line of your resume summary. Show that you've done your homework and that you have what it takes to succeed.

The whole point of the resume summary is to project a certain character and image, which is relatively easy to do in this more flexible freeform resume section. Since we're dealing with first impressions and perceptions, that image needs to be purposefully crafted. Here are some examples of possible content:

• Describe the personal qualities you think are appropriate for the industry and position. Inspire the future employer's confidence that you're a good fit for the job.
• Use action verbs and energetic, positive language. Come across as an upbeat, vibrant, productive person who will be a joy to work with and employ.
• Sprinkle in one or two of the most valuable skills you bring to this job. For example, CRM software knowledge for an office manager job could be a crucial advantage.
• Mention one or two aspects of your work / life experience that show you are productive and determined.

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You can find adaptable college student resume example summaries below:

Eager and ambitious business administration student with a passion for innovation and entrepreneurship. Demonstrated leadership abilities through involvement in student organizations and extracurricular activities. Strong academic foundation in finance, marketing, and management, supplemented by hands-on experience gained through internships in the business sector.

Creative and empathetic sociology student with a keen interest in cultural studies and social justice. Proficient in critical thinking, research, and written communication, with a focus on exploring complex societal issues and promoting diversity and inclusion. Seeking opportunities to apply my interdisciplinary perspective and storytelling abilities in roles that foster social change and promote understanding across diverse communities.

Enthusiastic and driven computer science student with a passion for technology and innovation. Possesses a solid foundation in programming languages such as Java, Python, and C++, coupled with coursework in algorithms, data structures, and software engineering. Experienced in developing web applications, mobile apps, and software solutions through hands-on projects and internships.

Even as a student, your work experience section needs to shine. Luckily, “experience” can be defined as more than just transitional employment. Let’s look at how this resume section can give you an edge by reflecting your life experience and your vibrant, productive personality. 

• Internship experience . This is one of the most impressive substitutes for "full" employment experience. Recruiters pay special attention to this when considering student or graduate resumes .
• Summer / temp jobs . Experience as a waitress , clerk , or nanny counts for more than you might think in terms of transferable skills. Courtesy, patience, discipline, dependability, willingness to work long hours are just a few examples.
• Social initiatives / volunteer work . These are almost always impressive on a college student resume. Volunteering demonstrates altruistic traits and a cooperative team spirit .
• Self-directed or community projects . Cite examples of commitments and collaborations that extended from your personal interests and talents.

List your current (or most recent) job at the top of this section and work your way back to your first job. Only go back as far as you’ve been in college and stick to experience that is directly related to the role you are applying for. 

Under each employer and role heading, describe your contributions in concise bullet point statements, omitting “I.”  Start each bullet point with an action verb like led, motivated, orchestrated, collaborated, or managed.

Make sure to focus on results and concrete information that demonstrates tangible outcomes as opposed to generic duties. This will impress the employer and help them see why you’re a cut above other college students.

Take a look at the college student employment history resume sample below:

Sales Associate at Coffee Grinders, Boston  September 2015 - June 2018 

• Greeted customers and assisted them with purchasing products.
• Helped customers grind coffee beans and sample new products.
• Maintained a clean and welcoming store environment.
• Handled financial transactions.
• Monitored and recorded inventory records.

How to write a college student resume with no work experience

Remember, no employer is expecting to see a 10-year work summary on your college student resume. Concentrate on projecting a positive, productive image to make a strong first impression. 

If you have no experience, your summary can be a goal statement—perhaps a bit more imaginative but still relevant and focused. Just aim for a general description, combining a variety of past projects, personal qualities, and life experiences. 

In your employment history section, showcase your involvement in extracurricular activities such as clubs, organizations, sports teams, or volunteer work. Describe your roles and responsibilities within these activities, highlighting any leadership positions or notable achievements. 

Finally, include a skills section where you can list any technical skills , languages , software proficiency, or certifications that are relevant to the jobs you're applying for. By focusing on your academic achievements, skills, and extracurricular activities, you can create a compelling resume that demonstrates your potential as a college student with no prior experience .

The skills section of a college student resume should be defined by the job you're looking to attain. Even at this early stage of life, job seekers often have more relevant skills and professional qualities than they give themselves credit for. The trick is to choose and describe them correctly on your resume.

Start by creating a master list. The master list is a free-form document—electronic or even a piece of paper—where you write down every skill and quality you can think of. Keep your master list handy for reference whenever a new job opportunity arises. Grab it for easy cherry-picking to tailor each new version of your specific resume to the job application.

Once you've found an actual job application or opportunity, tailor your resume and skills section to the job listing. We've talked about keywords already, and the point of this step is to satisfy both the hiring specialist and the ATS. 

Pay attention to the skills terminology used in the job description and ensure your skills outline matches the same wording if possible. This may seem trivial but may become the difference between getting a job interview and being filtered out.

Make sure to understand the difference between hard skills and soft skills and how to assess their relative importance to specific jobs and employers. Hard skills are pragmatic tools used in daily duties (for instance, computer skills or math aptitude) while soft skills relate to social interactions , self-management, teamwork, and so on.

Check out a college student resume sample for the skills section below.

• Office Technology Skills
• Motivated Attitude
• Social Media Platforms
• Advanced Communication Skills

As a college student, your education is likely the most consequential experience you’ll have to show on your resume. That’s why it’s important to carefully complete this section with the right details to impress the hiring manager or scholarship committee.

As with your employment history section, you’ll want to list each degree from most recent to oldest. Create a subheading with the degree name, university, dates attended, and location. Since you’re likely still studying, you can add “present” instead of an end date.

Underneath the subheading, you should add 2-3 bullet points that describe your most impressive academic achievements, relevant coursework , and leadership roles. It’s also a good idea to include your expected graduation date if you’re still a student. Your GPA is also an essential piece of information, but only list it if it’s 3.5 or above. If your GPA for your major is significantly higher than your overall score, include that instead. 

If you’re still in college, you can add your high school education in much the same way as your college one. If adding a GED , simply include the date completed. Once you’ve completed a bachelor’s degree or higher, remove your high school details to make more room for professional experience on your resume. 

Check out our adaptable education resume sample below and learn more about adding your education to your resume .

Bachelor of Film and Media Studies, Boston University, Boston  August 2016 - Present 

• Working towards a Film and Media Studies degree

High School Diploma, Regis High School, New York  September 2012 - May 2016 

• Graduated with High Honors
• President of the Journalism Club

Layout, design and formatting considerations are vitally important for a successful college student resume. There are two main reasons for this: visual perception by humans and processing compatibility with automated systems. 

Make it easier on recruiters. Employ chunking, which makes the text more readable and digestible by breaking it into bite-sized pieces. This is achieved through the use of white space and graphical elements such as boxes, lines, images, and other formatting that improves legibility.

Recruiters are likely to pay a lot more attention to your resume if you apply a visually attractive, suitably-formatted template based on research-backed design principles.  Just as you should customize the content of your resume for each position you apply to, your layout and design should also match the image of the employer or opportunity. 

Professionally designed resume templates make it easy to create a perfectly formatted layout and give you the ability to switch between styles with ease.

Key takeaways for building a college student resume

You can get an awesome job as a college student. Your college student resume is a hugely important instrument for that. The summary section provides the best opportunity for your college student resume to stand out and show personality.

The education section is a focal point for most college student resumes. Your resume skills section will be defined by the job you are pursuing within a specific industry. Tailor it to the job description and your knowledge of the industry. 

Our online resume builder makes the process of college resume creation much easier and helps avoid hidden technical pitfalls.

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College Student Resume Examples and Templates for 2024

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How To Write a College Student Resume

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Joseph Corbin (123) 456-7890 | [email protected] | Philadelphia, PA 12345 | www.linkedin.com/example

Motivated student with strong academic performance in high school, including an “A” average for Mathematics. Demonstrated success in a leadership role through multiple school athletics and work activities. Naturally curious and eager to explore and understand new topics.

Key Skills 

• Complex problem-solving
• Data analysis
• Group leadership
• Mathematics
• Microsoft Excel
• Team collaboration

Graduate, Benjamin Franklin High School, Philadelphia, PA | August 2018 to June 2022

• “A” average in all Mathematics classes, including AP Calculus

High School Athletics

Spring Track Team 

Co-Captain (Senior year)

• Voted into team leadership role; coordinated with the head coach to help organize meets and answer various questions from team members
• Served as a valued mentor and resource to underclassmen

Member (all four years)

• Gained and demonstrated a strong sense of dedication and teamwork
• Contributed to team’s placing in the top four out of 18 high schools in the region for three consecutive years

Work Experience

Host / Server / Team Lead, Domino’s Pizza, Philadelphia, PA | Summer 2018 and 2019

• Greeted visitors and took and served food orders in a fast-paced environment
• Proposed several changes to the order entry process for servers and delivery drivers, improving efficiency and collaboration among the two groups
• Helped restaurant place No. 3 in the region for customer satisfaction in July and August 2019

Hobbies & Interests

Avid reader (six or more books per month) | Painting | Running

Advanced proficiency in Spanish (A- average for classes taken in all four years of high school)

Rob Smith  (123) 456-7890 | [email protected] | Columbus, OH 12345 | www.linkedin.com/example

Efficient and hardworking student with a strong interest in computer science. Draw on technical knowledge base covering UX design, JAVA, MySQL, and HTML. Demonstrated success objectively measuring software performance while participating in a rapid development cycle.

• Efficiency improvement
• Group collaboration
• Independent research
• Technical troubleshooting
• User experience (UX)

Graduate, AAE High School, Columbus, OH | August 2018 to June 2022 3.7 GPA | Top 10% of graduating class

Tech Support, XYZ Company, Columbus, OH | June 2020 to present

• Quickly and professionally respond to various tech support tickets
• Install hardware and software as needed to maintain systems
• Work with managers to develop rapid response systems to major tech threats
• Co-design and deliver educational materials to staff on proper tech use

Retail Sales Associate, Smith Clothing Company, Columbus, OH | August 2019 to May 2020

• Gained strong foundation in positive customer relations
• Operated cash register and balanced the till at end of day (EOD)

Certifications

• Computing Technology Industry Association (CompTIA) A+
• Nielsen Norman Group UX and UX Master

John Miller (123) 456-7890 | [email protected] | Columbus, OH 12345 | LinkedIn | Portfolio

High school student with a strong interest in marketing and advertising. Freelance graphic design professional with a growing portfolio and client relationships with major local nonprofits. Enjoy collaborating on a team to explore topics and solve complex challenges.

• Data visualization
• Graphic design
• Marketing strategy
• Task prioritization
• Writing and editing

Candidate: Diploma, Douglass High School, Columbus, OH | expected June 2023 3.8 GPA | SAT scores: 760 math, 680 verbal (1440 combined)

High School Athletics and Activities

Member, Debate Team | August 2020 to present

• Collaborate closely on a 10-person team to research debate topics and form and organize compelling arguments

Member, Cross-Country Running Team | Fall 2021 and 2022

Freelance Graphic Designer, XYZ Company, Columbus, OH | April 2018 to present

• Conceptualize and create diverse marketing materials to spec
• Engage and partner with marketing teams to design campaigns and track return on investment
• Design logos and event graphics for client nonprofits
• Make infographics using data provided by sales teams
• Developed an award-winning print ad for a local coffee shop

Library Materials Associate, Community Library, Columbus, OH | June 2014 to April 2016

• Greeted students and verified account status for check-out
• Helped students find and incorporate various research sources
• Set up display technology for individual and group use
• Managed schedules for meeting and study rooms
• Reshelved materials at EOD

Technical Skills

Adobe InDesign, Photoshop | Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint)

When applying to colleges, you may find some schools require a resume . You can write a great resume for your college applications by showing your relevant high school and other experiences and emphasizing how you’ve explored topics and pursued your interests. Incorporating this theme into each section of your resume can increase your chances of being accepted into your preferred college or university. The advice and examples provided below can guide you in achieving this goal.

1. Summarize your college student qualifications in a dynamic profile

Your resume profile should catch admissions officers’ interest by giving the top reasons they can expect you to engage actively in their campus community. Can you share some instances from your life where you have exhibited curiosity and dedication toward excellence? Your answer to this question can lead to your best profile points. For example, maybe you’ve earned an “A” average in the school subject likely to become your college major. Or perhaps you’ve done freelance work that’s helped you develop a hobby into a possible career track. With details like these at the top of your college resume, you can show your potential to thrive in a college setting.

Profile Example

Motivated student with strong academic performance in high school, including an “A” average for mathematics. Demonstrated success in a leadership role through multiple school athletics and work activities. Naturally curious and eager to explore and understand new topics.

2. Add a compelling section featuring your college student experience

Use your resume’s experience section(s) to give examples of exploring and pursuing topics that interest you. Colleges and universities generally want students who are engaged, diligent, and curious about the world. So view your experience from this perspective and write down anything that reflects your gaining or showing these qualities.

You aren’t limited to details about work experience, especially if the jobs you’ve held so far don’t speak to your career interests. On a resume for college applications, the strongest experience section will often come from a different area. For example, maybe you’re most proud of having been on the debate team or teaching yourself HTML outside school. Below is a list of possible experience sections you might develop on your resume:

• Community service
• High school athletics
• Internship experience
• Personal accomplishments
• School clubs and societies
• Study abroad experience
• Summer coursework

Experience Example

Spring Track Team

3. Include education and certifications relevant to college students

View your resume’s education section as another chance to show active engagement in learning. Give basic details about your high school. But also feel free to name study areas or materials that have sparked your interest and may become a focus for you at the college level. For example, if your English classes have let you choose from a reading list for each unit, you could name some of the books or texts you decided to read and why. Also note any AP classes you’ve completed, school awards you’ve won, or other distinctions you’ve earned, like a high GPA or class rank. These can all help admissions officers see your potential.

Below are templates and examples to help you format your high school education, along with any certifications you’d like to add to your resume. Note that optional template areas appear in [brackets].

• Candidate: Diploma, High School Name, City, ST | expected graduation date
• [Select study areas or materials of interest]

Certification

Certification Name or Title , [Awarding Organization] | [Year]

Service Excellence Certificate, VCU Advanced Solutions | 2023

4. List college student-related skills and proficiencies

Add a key skills section to show how you excel in a learning environment. For instance, maybe you like to research a topic independently, or you prefer the stimulation of working in a group. On the other hand, perhaps you’re open to learning by various methods. Whatever your learning style, you can highlight it in your key skills section so admissions officers see how you’d apply yourself at their school. Below are some common keywords for college student resumes:

5. Consider adding personal hobbies or interests

You may have heard that hobbies and interests should be left off a resume. While this is often true for regular job seekers, it doesn’t apply to aspiring college students. Hobbies and interests can be a strong feature of your college application resume because they help show your all-around sense of curiosity. Feel free to highlight them in a separate section, typically toward or at the bottom of your resume.

Hobbies and Interests

How To Pick the Best College Student Resume Template

For college applicants, a clear and straightforward resume template is usually best. Opt for a visual design that lets the admissions officer quickly review your most relevant information. Select a traditional resume font , and avoid any template with a colorful or elaborate design.

Frequently Asked Questions: College Student Resume Examples and Advice

What are common action verbs for college student resumes -.

For aspiring college students, good resume verbs will relate to the process of learning and discovery – think “explored,” “researched,” or “uncovered.” But there are various others you might use to describe your school, work, and other life experiences so far. The following list can help you find a good mix of action verbs for your college application resume:

How do you align your resume with each college application? -

The National Center for Education Statistics forecasts that total undergraduate enrollment will increase by about 9% (to nearly 17 million students) between 2021 and 2031. 

To optimize your resume for each college application:

1. Take cues from what you know about the school. 2. Refer to their website, brochures, notes from the campus tour, or any other information you’ve gathered on what the school is known for and what you’re most drawn to about it. 3. As you look over these materials, highlight words or phrases that are repeated or emphasized.

These terms can tell you what details you may want to feature in your resume profile or key skills sections (as long as they’re accurate to your experience).

For example, say you’re drawn to the college’s study-abroad program. Consider using your profile to showcase any travel or exchange programs you’ve done, along with your foreign language skills. With adjustments like these, you can make your resume more relevant to each college opportunity.

What is the best college student resume format? -

In nearly all cases, use a Combination (or Hybrid) resume because it’s easiest for admissions officers to learn about your pertinent skills and background. It’s also easiest for you to align with your goals.

With the Combination format, you focus on your most relevant skills and experience in your experience section(s) and an intro section. (This combination of experience and intro content is where the format gets its name.) Your resume intro should usually include a profile summary and key skills section, but you may also add a highlights or awards section. By carefully choosing the details for these intro sections, you can (a) position yourself for your desired school program and (b) give admissions officers a clear, quick view of what you offer.

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Jacob Meade

Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW, ACRW)

Jacob Meade is a resume writer and editor with nearly a decade of experience. His writing method centers on understanding and then expressing each person’s unique work history and strengths toward their career goal. Jacob has enjoyed working with jobseekers of all ages and career levels, finding that a clear and focused resume can help people from any walk of life. He is an Academy Certified Resume Writer (ACRW) with the Resume Writing Academy, and a Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW) with the Professional Association of Resume Writers & Career Coaches.

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11+ Best Student Resume Templates (W/ Examples & Resources)

Writing an impressive resume as a student with no work experience can be a challenging task, often resulting in a generic document that fails to capture your full potential. 

This challenge intensifies in the face of a sea of applicants vying for the same role as you, making it all the more critical to stand out. 

Fortunately, we’re here to solve this problem! 

This article presents a selection of impactful student resume templates and examples that will help transform your raw skills and academic accomplishments into an impressive, attention-grabbing resume. 

Here’s what we’ll cover: 

12 Student Resume Templates

3 student resume examples, 5 other professional resources for students.

Let’s dive in!

#1. Creative Resume Template

The Creative resume template offers a visually appealing and unique design that can greatly benefit students. 

With a modern and innovative layout that leverages eye-catching colors, this template allows students to showcase their skills, experiences, and achievements all on one page. 

The template's artistic element can help you stand out from the crowd and make a memorable impression on potential employers by highlighting your creativity, attention to detail, and ability to think outside the box, all of which are valuable attributes in today's competitive job market.

#2. Basic Resume Template

This resume template comes with a straightforward and clean design that offers numerous benefits to students. 

For starters, it provides a professional and well-organized structure that lets you present your skills, education, and experiences in a concise and effective manner. Not to mention, by positioning the skills section at the top of the resume, this template emphasizes your skills over your work experience (which is something you’re likely lacking).

This template can help any student, regardless of their standing, create a professional-looking resume that showcases their abilities and increases their chances of securing interviews and job opportunities.

#3. Combined Resume Template

Just like the name implies, this template is a perfect blend of two resume formats , namely the functional and the reverse-chronological format . 

This Combined template can arm you with a versatile and effective way to present your skills and professional experiences, as well as any relevant optional sections like certifications and personal projects. 

In a nutshell, the Combined template gives you the flexibility to leverage both the popularity of the chronological format and the impact you can make by emphasizing your skills and abilities. 

So, if you’re not sure which resume format works best for you or if you’re on the fence about a particular template, this stylish and impactful design might just be the choice for you. 

#4. Minimalist Resume Template

Novorésumé's Minimalist resume template offers a sleek and simple design that comes highly recommended for students. 

True to its name, this template aims to highlight only essential elements through clean aesthetics. Specifically, it lets students present their strong points and most noteworthy achievements concisely, eliminating unnecessary clutter. 

With a stylish color palette of pink and gray and a design that puts skills and work experience side by side, there’s no way you can go wrong picking this student resume template. 

#5. Traditional Resume Template

This template’s classic and time-tested design is guaranteed to work wonders for students looking to work in all fields, but especially those aiming for more traditional industries like banking or finance. 

Following a structured design that highlights all key resume sections, such as the resume objective , education, work experience, and skills sections, this template lets you include all your relevant information without your resume spilling over to page two . 

#6. General Resume Template

The General resume template is meant to offer you a versatile and adaptable format to showcase your qualifications, including your awards, your foreign language skills , your education, and much more. 

The header’s blue color is meant to grab recruiters’ attention to two of the most important resume sections–the contact information and the resume summary sections. 

Once you have their attention, you can wow them with other relevant sections such as your skills, work experience, and anything else you deem important. 

Easily customizable and practical to skim through, this resume template can make your application look good even if you don’t put too much effort into it. 

#7. Modern Resume Template

The Modern resume template is a great choice for students who want their resume to look sleek and stylish, and yet professional. 

By incorporating modern elements like horizontal lines and bold blue color, this template is a great choice for practically every field you apply to. 

By using the Modern template, students can present themselves as forward-thinking and professional candidates, increasing their chances of standing out from the competition.

#8. IT Resume Template

If getting into IT is your dream, then this resume template is for you! 

The team at Novorésumé specifically designed the IT resume template to cater to the needs of students in the field. Using a clean and modern layout , this template offers a comprehensive structure that highlights your relevant technical skills, certifications, and education history. 

And, if you have any professional experience in IT, even if it’s through freelance work, internships , or personal projects, this template can surely help you highlight it through the reverse-chronological format - a favorite among recruiters.

#9. Simple Resume Template

Sometimes, a simple resume template can be just the way to let your personality and achievements shine through. 

This is exactly what the Simple resume template does for students. 

With a straightforward and reader-friendly structure that strays away from extravagant design elements and flashy colors, this template aims to let your achievements do the talking. 

So, if your professional journey is already rich in accomplishments or if you’re one of those people who think simplicity is always the right choice, then you just found your match. 

#10. Functional Resume Template

Just like the format it’s named after, the Functional resume template lets you highlight your skills and qualifications upfront, which is perfect if you don’t have enough work experience to list.

What makes this template even more impactful is the minty color that grabs recruiters’ attention, the perfectly aligned sections, and the way it leverages symbols to show your proficiency in say, foreign languages or technical skills . 

#11. Skill-Based Resume Template

The Skill-Based resume template does just what the name implies - it provides students with a valuable format that emphasizes their key skills and competencies. 

This template allows students to highlight their relevant abilities and qualifications, regardless of their work experience . By organizing their resume based on skills rather than professional achievements, students can effectively showcase their strengths and demonstrate their suitability for a particular role. 

This resume template lets you focus on your most marketable skills, making it easier for potential employers to quickly identify your strengths and match them with job requirements.

#12. College Resume Template

Are you a college student looking to land your first gig? Then the College resume template is just what you need. 

Specifically designed to cater to the unique needs of college students, this template offers a comprehensive structure that lets you highlight your academic achievements, extracurricular activities , internships, and relevant coursework.

The College resume template lets you effectively showcase your education, skills, and experiences in a concise manner and contemporary style. The resume’s design is tailored to the specific needs of college students, increasing your chances of impressing potential employers and securing your next entry-level position!

#1. High-School Student Resume

#2. College Freshman Resume

#3. Internship Resume 

Picking the right template for your resume is just a small first step toward landing your first gig. 

There are several other things you’ll need to do during your job hunt , such as networking with the right people, applying for the right positions for you, and continuously honing your skills. 

Here are some resources that are guaranteed to come in handy: 

• Professional Networking | What Is It & Why It Matters . Networking is an excellent way to lay solid career foundations and make professional connections you can even use down the line. This article outlines all the benefits of professional networking and gives you 9 essential tips to get it right.
• 30+ Jobs for Teenagers (Where & How to Look) . These jobs are perfect for students of all ages, from high school freshmen to college seniors, so start digging.
• 101 Essential Skills to Put on a Resume . Without a solid work experience section, your skills section is the most important part of your resume. Do it justice by going through the most essential skills every resume should have in 2024.
• How to List Computer Skills on a Resume . Nowadays, 92% of jobs require digital skills , according to the National Skills Coalition. Since students and younger professionals are more likely to be well-versed in digital skills, it’s good to know how to list such skills in your resume. Learn how with our article!
• How to Write a Cover Letter in 2024 . Cover letters are still an essential part of job applications, so you shouldn’t submit one without attaching a cover letter. If you think writing a cover letter is even harder than creating a resume, though, head over to our dedicated article to become a cover letter pro.

Conclusion 

By now, you should have realized how important it is to find the right student resume template if you want to land your dream job. 

We hope our list meets your preferences and can help you on your career path as effectively as possible! 

For more resources and career advice, make sure to visit our blog ! 

To provide a safer experience, the best content and great communication, we use cookies. Learn how we use them for non-authenticated users.

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How To Write A College Student Resume (With Examples)

• General Resume Examples
• Resume With No Experience
• Student Resume
• College Resume
• Entry Level Resume
• Military Resume
• Internship Resume
• First Resume
• College Application Resume
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• Blank Resume Template
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• Resume Templates

As a college student, a resume may seem daunting because you may not have much experience, but there are a lot of other opportunities to make your resume stand out to employers. The opportunities that you can showcase include any volunteering you did, studying abroad, any specialized classes, or internships you’ve done.

To help you write your college student resume, we’ll go over how to write a college student resume, provide a resume example, and go over some tips to keep in mind.

Key Takeaways:

Emphasize your education and honors/awards received in college.

Take advantage of the many opportunities college gives to you and use those to spice up your resume.

Make your resume job/ internship application-specific.

Include extracurriculars, volunteer experiences, certifications, publications, interesting projects, or impressive leadership experiences if you have any.

What is a college student resume?

How to write a college student resume, current college student resume example, college student resume template, tips for writing a college student resume, college student resume faq, final thoughts.

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A college student’s resume is a document that summarizes your academic qualifications and your time spent in college. You probably had to write a brief resume for your college applications. Writing a resume as a college student is similar to that, except with a more professional edge.

Since you don’t have years of professional experience, hiring managers will understand when you don’t have that, which is why they will be looking at your academic history. They will be wondering how you have applied yourself in college both inside and outside of the classroom.

As mentioned above, college is full of opportunities to have enriching experiences. Take advantage of them — they will greatly help you not only by filling out those blank spots on your resume but also by giving you something to stand out from the rest of the competition .

Hiring managers and recruiters will be looking for signs of maturity, self-motivation, and work ethic . Keep these elements in mind as you decide how best to sell yourself based on your college experiences.

To write a college student’s resume, you should start with a resume header that includes your contact information and then go into your resume objective statement. Your top claim to fame is your educational experience and the extracurricular activities you were involved with.

Here’s a more detailed list of what each section of your resume should include:

Resume header . Your resume header should include your contact information. Open with your first and last name, which should be a slightly larger size or otherwise emphasized above all else. Include your location ([City, State] is fine), phone number, and professional email address. If you have a LinkedIn or an online portfolio , feel free to include a link to those here as well.

Important tip: Never put your contact information into an actual header on your word processing software. Some applicant tracking systems (robots that parse resumes to weed out unqualified candidates) can’t read the information in a header.

If the ATS can’t find your contact information, your resume will be thrown out before it even reaches a human reader .

Resume objective statement . We normally steer job-seekers away from resume objectives toward resume summary statements .

However, it’s perfectly appropriate for a college student to use a resume objective instead. Be sure to keep it short (1-3 sentences), include keywords from the job description, and state your relevant skills and career goals.

That being said, if you have substantial or impressive work/internship experience under your belt that truly makes you perfect for the position, opt for a resume summary statement that emphasizes your qualifications and expresses your value to the employer.

Education . Depending on how valuable you find your education section as compared to your experience section, you can swap the order around. We put education third based on the assumption that it’s your most valuable asset at the moment.

Your education section should always include the following information:

Name/Location of the school you attended

Dates attended, date graduated, or anticipated date of graduation

Name of your major/degree

The rest of the information is optional, but more is usually better (especially if the rest of your resume is light):

GPA (if it’s over 3.5)

Minor (if relevant)

Academic honors (Latin titles, Dean’s List , Honors Programs, etc.)

Merit scholarships

Publications and/or research

If you really want to beef up your education section, you can also include more details about relevant coursework . This can be a great way to incorporate keywords from the job description and showcase that you have solid foundational knowledge.

Experience . Once you’ve progressed in your career, this will be a history dedicated to your work history, but for now, keep the heading more open-ended by calling it something like “Relevant Experience.” The reason why this heading works is because it allows you to put down a whole host of experiences in just one section. Items you can put here include:

Work experience (summer jobs, part-time work, etc.)

Internships

Volunteer work

Freelancing experience

Relevant coursework (if you didn’t include it in your education section already)

Study abroad

Club membership/leadership positions

In general, you should keep things in reverse chronological order (the most recent stuff first). Always be sure to quantify your accomplishments whenever possible. Make it easy for a reader to see what value you added to each experience you were a part of.

Extracurriculars. If you’re a part of one or many extracurricular activities, it might be worth including a separate section detailing your involvement with each. Be sure to highlight the key skills you picked up from each experience to show how it relates to the job you’re applying for.

Skills . You’ve certainly acquired some skills during your time in college. Try to give a healthy mix of hard skills and soft skills . Hard skills are those you must be taught, and be tested or measured in some way. Soft skills refer to the intangible, interpersonal qualities that make you great to work with.

Where you can, add a bit of detail to flesh out each skill more fully. For example, if you put down “HTML” as a skill, give a brief description like “wrote webpages during a 3-month internship with XYZ Inc.”

Also, try to make sure that each soft skill you list comes with a correlating piece of data in your experience section. For instance, if you write that you have excellent communication skills , there better be some proof of those skills in action elsewhere on your resume.

Hobbies and interests . If you’re still not at a full page , you can consider adding relevant hobbies and interests. Even something seemingly irrelevant, like a love of working on miniature models, can paint a picture of a candidate who regularly hones her attention to detail in her free time.

Remember, every resume should be job-specific . You should b e tailoring it to each job you apply to. This will help you get noticed by hiring managers.

With that in mind, check out this current college student resume example:

Prateek Student

102 University Blvd. | University, CA 33409 | (555) 555- 5555 | [email protected] CAREER OBJECTIVE Dedicated outdoor education student with extensive teaching experience seeking hands-on internship opportunities.

PRE-PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE The Pool Pros, University, California Lifeguard Senior Manager and Educator (June 2015-May 2018

• Managed over 100 lifeguards at three public pool locations.
• Completed 20 training classes for lifeguard certification and recertification each season.
• Organized and implemented water conservation and education classes for 50 students per season.

Outdoor Leadership Liaison and Leader, (August 2017- May 2018)

• Organized outdoor excursions for 200+ university students.
• Led training workshops for outdoor skills monthly to 20 students per workshop.
• Kept communications between outdoor nonprofit leaders and university officials to ensure the safety of university students while on excursions.

National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS), Lander, Wyoming Wilderness Medicine and Rescue Semester Team Leader, (August 2018- May 2019)

• Led 15 students on two semester-long wilderness immersion school expeditions.
• Trained students in wilderness safety, leave no trace principles and each student completed Wilderness EMT certifications.

EDUCATION CERTIFICATIONS California State University , University, California Bachelor in Outdoor Education and a minor in emergency medical response GPA: 3.90 Graduated May 2018 Received NOLS scholarships for a semester abroad in India. Dean’s List all semesters.

Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) , California Licensure Wilderness EMT certificate expiration date May 2020 EMT certification expiration date May 2020 BLS Healthcare responder expiration date August 2021

Here is a college student resume template to help you get started on yours. Be sure to tailor your resume to fit your needs and the position you are applying for:

Your name [Address, City, State ZIP code]| [Phone Number] | [Email Address] | [LinkedIn Profile (optional)] CAREER OBJECTIVE Dedicated and motivated college student seeking [Internship/Part-time] EDUCATION [Degree Pursuing, e.g., Bachelor of Science in Computer Science] [University Name, City, State] [Expected Graduation Month, Year] [GPA: X.X/4.0] Relevant Courses [Course Name] [Course Name] PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE [Job Title] [Company/Organization Name, City, State] [Dates of Employment] [Brief description of responsibilities and achievements] [Job Title] [Company/Organization Name, City, State] [Dates of Employment] [Brief description of responsibilities and achievements] EXTRACURRICULAR [Club/Organization Name, Position held, Dates] [Brief description of your role and contributions]

When writing a college student resume, you should include action verbs to help show what you did and be sure to keep your resume relevant to the job you are applying to. Here are some more tips to keep in mind when writing yours:

Use action verbs. Action verbs help you show a potential employer what you did. Some example action verbs to use are:

Proofread. One of the biggest mistakes you can make is sending your resume in without proofreading it first. Take an extra couple of minutes and read through your resume for any spelling or grammar mistakes. You can even have a friend or a professor look over it to catch anything you might have missed.

Choose the right format. You want your resume to be easy to read so make sure you choose a format that won’t get tossed aside because it has a million different fonts and colors. The top resume formats to use are chronological, functional, and combination.

Keep it relevant. You only want to add the relevant information. They won’t want to hear about your pottery club if you are applying for a tech company. Rereading the job description is a great way to know what relevant information you should include. This will

Get help. If you are completely stuck, ask for help. They have centers at most colleges that help with this kind of thing. They won’t judge you for having the wrong format or too much information. The entire point of college is to learn and get prepared for the workforce, and getting help is doing that.

Getting help will also give you feedback on how to improve your resume. Career centers are the best places to get help with resumes and cover letters .

Keep it to one page. Since you don’t have much experience, your resume should be one page long. If your resume is too long, potential employers will pass yours over. Keeping your resume to one page will also help you keep it relevant and concise.

Select the right font. The font that you use should be professional and easy to read. The most professional fonts are sans-serif or serif fonts and examples of those include Calibri, Helvetica, and Georgia .

What should be on a college resume?

A college resume should include education history, relevant jobs, extracurricular activities, leadership experience, and any skills relevant to the job.

Since college students may not have much work experience, it’s important to emphasize your education history and any relevant jobs that may have armed you with skills for the job you’re applying for.

You can also demonstrate your abilities by including volunteer work, internships, or extracurricular activities.

How do you write a resume for a college application?

The five things you need to write a resume for a college application are:

Your relevant contact information

Detailed education history and test scores

Experiences

Awards/honors

Any additional skills you’d like to share

These are the different sections required for a resume for a college application. Most sections are self-explanatory, but your experiences section might be a little tricky for some.

In this section, you have the opportunity to differentiate yourself because you’ll want to articulate more than your responsibilities. Focus on your accomplishments and provide numbers for context and scale.

Do you need a resume for college?

No, you don’t need a resume for college, unless a school specifically requests one. The items typically requested on a college resume are typically things that are asked on your college application.

However, resumes can be used to streamline this information and can be advantageous for those with extensive leadership achievements in and outside of the classroom.

A resume can also be used to tell a story, rather than just a list on an application, and can allow applicants to expand on experiences not mentioned in other places.

How can a college student make a resume for a first job?

A college student should include contact information, a resume summary, education, experience, skills, and any additional achievements on their resume for a first job. The candidate should have the relevant experience to draw on for an entry-level job by including all of this information.

Many managers hiring for entry-level jobs understand that college students may not have extensive work experience and will be looking for certain keywords throughout the resume that highlight education, experience, and skills.

Education can include your degree or any special training, experience may include work, volunteer, or internship experience, and skills may include anything that highlights a good fit for the open position.

How long should a college student’s resume be?

A college student’s resume should be one page. Resumes should be this length so that employers and hiring managers can review them quickly. Typically those looking to hire a candidate only have a few minutes to review a resume, so you should make sure it’s relevant and succinct, with all of your impressive information listed early.

Once you gain more experience, your resume may become longer but is typically only recommended for those applicants with over ten years of experience in the workforce.

How do you write a resume for college with no experience?

When writing a resume for college with no experience, be sure to emphasize your education instead. Your education and experiences in school will be key in helping you craft an effective resume for college. Be sure to include relevant internships, any soft or hard skills you possess, and projects you may be proud of.

You may also want to include hobbies, interests, certifications, languages spoken, or any additional achievements you may have received, whether they were in or outside of an academic environment.

What makes a college resume stand out?

Any relevant experience you have will make your college resume stand out. Your relevant experience may include any internships, volunteer positions, or extracurricular activities. To get an idea of what relevant experience you should include, reread the job description. This will include any keywords that you can add to help make your resume stand out more.

Adding any relevant awards or achievements can help your resume stand out. Awards and achievements help show any potential employer that you have the skills and abilities to do the work.

Writing a resume as a current college student is exciting because of the flexibility you have in crafting it. Every college student will have a unique resume and that’s a great thing because it helps you stand out from each other.

When writing a resume as a current college student, keep in mind that the best way to make your resume stand out is by taking advantage of the many opportunities being in college gives you.

Try new things: take on a new project or volunteer opportunity. It not only will help your resume but will also give you great pre-professional experience that will help you decide which career path you should take .

Harvard Extension School – Resume and Cover Letters

University of Pennsylvania – Undergraduate’s student resume samples

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Heidi Cope is a former writer for the Zippia Career Advice blog. Her writing focused primarily on Zippia's suite of rankings and general career advice. After leaving Zippia, Heidi joined The Mighty as a writer and editor, among other positions. She received her BS from UNC Charlotte in German Studies.

Don Pippin is an executive and HR leader for Fortune 50 and 500 companies and startups. In 2008, Don launched area|Talent with a focus on helping clients identify their brand. As a Certified Professional Resume Writer, Certified Digital Career Strategist, and Certified Personal Branding Strategist, Don guides clients through career transitions.

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• College Student Resume Examples Guidelines

35 Impressive College Student Resume Objective Examples

The objective statement is the first place you get to pitch yourself to a potential employer. It’s the hook to draw a reader into looking at your resume in full. In your objective statement, you need to concisely convince the hiring manager that you understand what the job entails and that you are the best candidate for the job. Whether you are looking for a part-time job while studying, or for your first job out of college, you will want to make your very best first impression.

Examples of College Student Objective Statements

Below are some examples of objectives statements for college students and college graduates to guide you in writing a powerful opening to your resume:

• Computer science student seeking part-time work with ABC University in IT support, eager to gain first-hand experience while contributing to troubleshooting problems experienced by members of the university community.
• Courteous and responsible student with a stellar driving record and well-maintained 4-door vehicle seeking a position as a part-time rideshare driver.
• Recent graduate with B.S. in Accounting looking for a data entry and bookkeeping position at Fin Corporation, bringing excellent attention-to-detail, enthusiasm to learn and adaptability to take on new tasks.
• Flexible and joyful student pursuing a degree in early childhood education, seeking a role as a teaching assistant and coming with fluency in online tools and the capability to learn quickly.
• Dependable and flexible animal-lover seeking a position as a pet sitter with Creature Comforts LLC, coming with the ability to work independently and an excellent attention-to-detail.
• Reliable book enthusiast and current English major looking to work as a library assistant, bringing an understanding of the library system and an eagerness to learn library management processes.
• Self-motivated, focused and friendly student with a reliable car, insurance and a clean driving record seeking an on-demand runner or delivery driver position, coming with ability to provide a great experience to customers.
• Forward-thinking and dedicated team player seeking part-time work as a graphic designer with XYZ College, leveraging extensive knowledge of a wide variety of design software and tools, and superior command of layout principals and aesthetic design concepts.
• Responsible and outgoing student seeking a part-time host or waiting position at a restaurant, coming with two years of barista experience and an excitement for learning new skills.
• Highly motivated software engineering graduate with strong customer service and communication skills seeking to join Great North Casualty Company, leveraging ability to write code in JAVA, HTML5, and CSS3.
• Personable student looking for a part-time job as a sales clerk at a retail clothing store, coming with two summers of experience working at a café and gift shop.
• Punctual, responsible and hardworking student looking for a job as a barista at Café Coffee, leveraging a love of coffee, a team-oriented attitude, and an enthusiasm for making people smile.
• Emotionally mature and adaptable recent college graduate with a passion for bringing smiles to children, looking for a nanny position, coming with reliable transportation, CPR and First Aid certification, and references.
• Looking for a part-time job as a social media assistant at ABC Staffing, leveraging deep knowledge of various social media platforms, strong organizational skills and attention-to-detail to develop and maintain a professional and welcoming online presence for the benefit of the company.
• Chemistry student with an excellent academic track record, seeking a summer job as a lab assistant at First Labs to support research scientists and explore the possibility of pursuing a research career.
• Friendly and professional team player seeking a part-time job as a customer service associate, leveraging flexibility, great phone presence, and highly organized ability to work quickly and accurately.
• Accomplished student with an aptitude for programming, seeking part-time work with Big Time Realty in support of its IT requirements, bringing superior customer service skills, strong knowledge of various computer hardware and software, and an unbeatable work ethic.
• Outstanding mathematics student seeking part-time work as a math tutor, leveraging exemplary academic track record and ability to communicate complex mathematical concepts to children from primary to secondary levels.
• Detail-oriented accounting college senior (GPA 3.8) seeking a part-time job with Alton Accountants to gain practical experience in accounting, coming with knowledge from coursework and excitement about starting a career in accounting.
• Dependable student seeking weekend job as a lifeguard at Community Pool, leveraging Red Cross First Aid and CPR certifications, and three summers of experience in lifeguarding.
• Punctual and organized art student with a passion for oil painting seeks part-time job in an art supply shop, coming with two years of customer service experience gained through work in cafes and restaurants.
• To obtain a part-time dental office assistant position at Henley Clinic to utilize administrative experience while increasing knowledge of dentistry as a pre-med student.
• Reliable finance student looking to gain work experience as a part-time bank teller, coming with excellent customer service skills and an interest in banking.
• Political science student hoping to pursue a career in law, seeking a summer job as an office assistant at Gray Law Firm to gain first-hand insight into legal practice.
• To secure part-time work as an office assistant, experienced in providing administrative support as a receptionist and coming with fast typing ability (45+ wpm), superior organizational skills, and a desire to work hard.
• Mechanically inclined and reliable student seeking a part-time job at Cycle Store, bringing a passion for cycling and an understanding of cycle maintenance and repair.
• Self-starter and current culinary student seeking a part-time position as a kitchen assistant, confident in fast-paced kitchens and bringing skills in various cuisines.
• Statistics student planning on pursuing a career in business analytics, looking for a part-time job to gain understanding of practical applications of analyses and to contribute to fulfilling the analytical needs of a corporate team.
• Innovative and solutions-oriented student seeking a part-time position within a marketing agency to leverage creativity to gain practical experience for the benefit of the company.
• Art student seeking a part-time job as a receptionist at Art Museum, bringing excellent reception skills gained as a restaurant hostess and a passion for art, particularly oil painting.
• Hardworking and punctual student seeking warehouse packing work, bringing endless energy, optimism, and excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Biology student seeking to obtain a position as part-time receptionist at Medical Office, drawing on over two years of office support and reception experience.
• Enthusiastic sophomore seeking a part-time position as a tour guide at State University, looking to apply excellent communication and hosting skills gained as a waitress to show prospective students and their families around campus and give them insight into student life.
• Responsible and driven student eager to gain work experience through part-time work, willing to learn new skills and perform ad hoc duties as required.
• To obtain a part-time analyst position with Econo Analytics, bringing skills gained through mathematics and statistics studies, able to contribute insights into both macro and microeconomic trends.

Getting a good job that is in line with your career goals while you are still in college is a great way to roadtest your career choice and gain experience. If jobs within your future profession aren’t available, getting a different job with transferable skills is another good idea. Think about talking to people you know who might be able to put your resume in front of decision-makers. Whether you have a warm lead from someone in your network or are applying cold to an online job posting, make sure your objective statement is compelling and free from error. This is will get your resume noticed and make a strong first impression.

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• Resume Tips for Recent College Graduates

If you’re looking to get your foot in the door for a job interview, we put together some resume tips for recent college graduates to get you started. Essentially, a resume and cover letter are marketing documents to secure an interview for a job, internship, or graduate program. Recruiters often spend only about 15 seconds on an initial review. Therefore, a resume must concisely highlight an applicant’s qualifications.

Building a resume may be challenging for those coming straight from college due to limited professional experience. However, there are several strategies to create a strong resume.

Emphasize Education

For recent graduates, prominently place the Education section at the top of the resume. Include details such as your degree, major, minor, and relevant coursework. Highlight any honors or academic achievements.

Include Internships and Part-Time Jobs

You should include internships, part-time jobs, and relevant volunteer work under Work Experience. Focus on how these experiences have prepared you for the role you’re applying for. Highlight transferable skills like teamwork, communication, and problem-solving.

Showcase Involvement in Campus Activities

Involvement in campus organizations, clubs, or leadership roles can demonstrate essential skills. List these under a separate section, such as Activities or Leadership, and describe your role and accomplishments.

Highlight Projects and Research

Consider including this type of section in your resume if you have completed significant projects, research, or a thesis. Explain the scope of the project, your role, and the outcome. Doing this can be particularly relevant if the projects align with the job you are applying for.

Use a Skills Section

Create a Skills section to highlight both technical and soft skills. Include specific software, tools, or languages you are proficient in and interpersonal skills like leadership, teamwork, or adaptability.

Tailoring a Resume

A generic resume is less effective than one tailored to a specific job. Each job has unique requirements. Tailoring a resume to match the job description shows that the applicant understands the role and has the necessary skills. This alignment increases the chances of being seen as a suitable candidate.

Steps to Creating a Resume

Step 1: gathering information.

Begin by compiling a list of all work experiences, volunteer activities, courses, and skills. This list acts as an inventory. Select relevant information from it to add to your resume.

Step 2: Identifying Relevant Skills

Next, review the job description to identify key skills and qualifications. Highlight experiences and skills that match these requirements. Using the exact keywords in the job description can help human recruiters and Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) notice you.

Step 3: Organizing Information

Organize the resume into sections for Education, Work Experience, and Skills. This makes the resume easier to read. Fonts should be between 10.5 pt. and 12 pt., with section headings slightly larger. Set margins between 0.5 and 1 inch to ensure readability.

Step 4: Writing Bullet Points

Each bullet point in the experience section should begin with a strong action verb. Avoid using pronouns like “I” or “my.” Instead, focus on what you achieved in each role. For instance, instead of writing “I managed a team,” use “Managed a team of 3 to complete project X ahead of schedule successfully.” Current roles should use the present tense, while past roles should use the past tense.

A well-crafted resume is often the employer’s first impression of a candidate. It should be clear, concise, and tailored to the job. By following these steps and considering the additional tips for recent graduates, applicants can create a resume that effectively communicates their qualifications and increases their chances of being invited for an interview.

UMBC’s Career Center

Be sure to check out the resources and services provided by UMBC’s Career Center . They aim to empower all students and graduates to create their own success stories. 

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10+ Ways to Make Money as a College Student

Looking to understand how to make money in college? You're not alone! As a student juggling studies and finances, finding ways to earn extra cash can be a game-changer. From part-time jobs to online gigs, there are plenty of opportunities to boost your income and gain valuable experience.

In this post, I'll share practical tips on how college students can get paid while balancing their academic life. Whether you're looking to offset student loans or just need some extra spending money, I've got you covered. Let's explore easy ways to earn that won't interfere with your studies!

Part-Time Jobs: The Classic Way to Make Money in College

Part-time jobs offer a stable income and can help you gain valuable work experience while still allowing you to focus on your studies. Many college campuses offer a variety of on-campus job opportunities, such as working in the library, cafeteria, or administrative offices . These jobs are often convenient and flexible, making them an excellent option for busy students.

Off-campus part-time positions are another way to make money while in college . Local businesses, such as restaurants, retail stores, and service providers, often hire college students for part-time roles. These jobs can provide you with a more diverse work experience and help you build connections within the community.

When considering a part-time job, it's essential to find a balance between work and studies. Look for positions that offer flexible hours and are understanding of your academic commitments. Aim to work no more than 15-20 hours per week to ensure you have enough time for classes, studying, and extracurricular activities. Remember, while earning extra money is important, your education should always remain your top priority.

Online Side Hustles

Online side hustles offer flexibility and the potential to earn extra cash without committing to a traditional part-time job. Let's explore some popular online money-making options for college students.

Online Surveys and Micro-Tasks

One simple way to earn money online is by taking online surveys and completing micro-tasks. Websites like Swagbucks and Survey Junkie , offer paid surveys and small tasks that can be completed in your spare time. While the pay for each survey or task may be modest, the earnings can add up over time, providing a nice boost to your bank account.

Freelancing and Gig Economy Platforms

Freelancing and gig economy platforms, such as Upwork , Fiverr , and Freelancer , provide opportunities for college students to offer their skills and services online. Whether you're a writer, designer, programmer, or have other marketable skills , these platforms allow you to connect with clients and earn money by completing projects remotely from your dorm room.

Virtual Tutoring and Teaching Opportunities

If you excel in a particular subject or have a passion for teaching, consider offering virtual tutoring or teaching services. Platforms like TutorMe and VIPKid connect students with tutors and teachers for online sessions. As a college student, you can leverage your knowledge and help others while earning money online in the process.

Creative Ways to Monetize Your Skills and Knowledge

By thinking outside the box and leveraging your expertise, you can generate extra income while still focusing on your studies. Let's see some innovative methods to make money using your unique abilities.

Tutoring Services (In-Person and Online)

If you excel in a particular subject, consider providing in-person tutoring sessions to fellow students or local high school students. Additionally, you can expand your reach by offering online tutoring through platforms like Zoom or Skype, allowing you to connect with students from anywhere in the world.

Creating and Selling Online Courses

Platforms like Udemy and Skillshare make it easy to create and sell your own courses. You can create an online course on virtually any subject, from academic topics to creative skills like photography or graphic design. By investing time in creating a high-quality course, you can generate passive income as students purchase and enroll in your course.

Content Creation and Social Media Management

If you have a knack for writing, photography, or video creation , consider offering your services to local businesses or startups. You can also explore opportunities to manage social media accounts for companies or influencers, helping them grow their online presence while earning money for your efforts.

Business Ventures for Ambitious Students

For college students with an entrepreneurial spirit, starting a business venture can be an exciting and lucrative way to make money. Identifying opportunities and catering to the needs of fellow students , will help you to create a profitable business that complements your college life. 

Start a Small Business on Campus

Consider offering services or products that are in high demand among students. For example, you could start a coffee cart, a snack delivery service, or a campus-wide tutoring network. By focusing on the needs of your fellow students, you can create a thriving business that generates income while you attend classes.

Offer Services to Fellow Students

Consider offering services such as laundry, cleaning, or running errands. You can also provide specialized services based on your skills, such as resume writing, graphic design, or social media management. By helping your fellow students save time and effort, you can build a successful service-based business.

Develop and Sell Products Catering to Student Needs

As a busy college student, you have unique insights into the needs and preferences of your peers. Use this knowledge to develop and sell products that cater specifically to student life. For example, you could create study aids, dorm room essentials, or college-themed merchandise. 

Seasonal and Event-Based Money-Making Opportunities

As a college student, you can take advantage of seasonal and event-based opportunities to earn extra cash throughout the year. 

Summer Jobs and Internships

Many companies offer summer positions specifically for college students, providing valuable work experience and a way to earn extra spending money. Look for opportunities in your field of study or explore new industries to broaden your horizons. Summer jobs and internships not only help you make money but also enhance your resume and network.

Campus Event Staffing

Throughout the academic year, many college campuses host various events, such as concerts, conferences, and sports competitions. Contact your college's event management office or student employment center to inquire about event staffing positions. You may find opportunities to work as an usher, ticket taker, or concession stand attendant, allowing you to earn extra cash while being part of exciting campus events.

Holiday-Specific Gigs

During holiday seasons, many businesses experience increased demand and require extra help. Take advantage of these seasonal opportunities to make money. For example, during the winter holidays, you can find work as a gift wrapper, retail sales associate, or holiday event staff. Other holidays, such as Halloween or Valentine's Day , may also offer unique money-making opportunities, such as working at a haunted house or delivering flowers. 

Leveraging Technology for Income

With the rise of apps and platforms designed for side hustles, it's easier than ever to find jobs online and start earning extra income. Let's explore some tech-based options for college students looking to make money.

Apps and Platforms for College Student Side Hustles

There are numerous apps and platforms specifically designed to help college students find side hustles and make money. Websites like Upwork , Fiverr , and Freelancer allow you to offer your skills and services to clients worldwide. These platforms cover a wide range of categories, from writing and graphic design to programming and virtual assistance. 

Ride-Sharing and Food Delivery Services

If you have a reliable vehicle and some spare time, consider signing up for ride-sharing or food delivery services. Apps like UberEats and DoorDash allow you to make money by providing transportation or delivering food to customers in your area. These services offer flexible hours, allowing you to work around your class schedule. 

Task-Completion Apps

Task-completion apps, such as TaskRabbit and Thumbtack , connect you with local individuals or businesses in need of various services. These tasks can range from furniture assembly and home repairs to pet sitting and event assistance. 

Selling Items Online

Platforms like eBay, Amazon, and Etsy allow you to sell a wide variety of products, from handmade crafts to second-hand textbooks. If you have a knack for creating unique items or have gently used belongings you no longer need, consider listing them online. 

Unconventional Ways to Earn Extra Cash

While traditional part-time jobs and online side hustles are popular ways to make money in college, there are also some unconventional methods to earn extra cash. These unique opportunities allow you to think outside the box and capitalize on your resources and skills. 

Participate in Research Studies

Universities and research institutions often conduct studies that require student participants. These studies can range from simple surveys to more involved experiments, and they typically offer compensation for your time. Check with your college's psychology department or research center to find out about available studies and how to sign up.

Rent Out Your Parking Space or Storage

If you have a parking space or storage area that you're not using, consider renting it out to other students or local residents. Many college students struggle to find affordable parking near campus , making your unused space a valuable commodity. Similarly, if you have extra storage space in your dorm room or apartment, you can offer to store belongings for students who need a place to keep their items during summer breaks.

Pet-Sitting and House-Sitting Gigs

As a college student, you can offer your services as a pet-sitter or house-sitter. This is a great way to earn extra money while enjoying the company of furry friends or having a quiet place to study. You can advertise your services on local community boards, social media, or through word-of-mouth. 

Resources and Tools for College Money-Makers

From job boards and financial management apps to campus resources for student entrepreneurs, there are numerous support systems designed to assist you in your money-making endeavors. 

Job Boards and Websites for College Students

One of the best places to start your search for money-making opportunities is by exploring job boards specifically tailored for college students. Websites like Handshake , CollegeJobBoard , and WayUp connect students with part-time jobs, internships, and entry-level positions. These job boards often have a wide range of listings, from on-campus jobs to remote work opportunities.

Financial Management Apps and Software

Managing your finances is crucial when you're making money in college. Fortunately, there are several financial management apps and software programs designed to help you track your income, expenses, and savings goals. Apps like Mint , PocketGuard , and YNAB (You Need A Budget) allow you to connect your bank accounts, create budgets, and monitor your spending habits. 

Campus Resources for Student Entrepreneurs

If you're interested in starting your own business or pursuing entrepreneurial ventures while in college, be sure to check with your college's entrepreneurship center or business school . Many colleges offer resources, workshops, and mentorship programs specifically designed for student entrepreneurs. These resources can provide valuable guidance, networking opportunities, and even funding for your business ideas.

Conclusion: How to Make Money in College

Earning money as a college student is both possible and rewarding. From online side gigs to part-time jobs on campus, there are countless ways to make extra cash while in school. Remember, the best approach is one that fits your schedule, skills, and interests.

By exploring these opportunities, you're not just earning money – you're also gaining valuable experience and skills that'll serve you well after graduation. Whether you're looking to pay off student loans, cover college costs, or just have some spending money, these strategies can help you get started.

So don't wait! Start exploring these money-making options today. With a bit of creativity and effort, you can boost your finances and set yourself up for success, all while navigating your college journey. Good luck, and happy earning!

About Author:

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How To Write a Resume for Your First Job

Imagine yourself stumbling across your dream job listing. You’re reading through the responsibilities and job tasks and you find yourself getting more and more excited as the list goes on. Then, it’s time to apply. But you have no real-world job experience. You’re just a student! How will you ever write a resume for your first job when you haven’t had one yet?

Knowing how to write a resume for your first job does not come naturally. In fact, it feels like a daunting task. If you have little applicable experience yet, or you’re just entering the workforce, how can you prove you’re the right fit for the position? 

Resumes are an excellent way to tout your knowledge, training and (if applicable) skills in the field. You can create an attractive resume highlighting your candidacy without any direct experience or prior work history.

We’ll show you how to write a resume for your first job so you can kick off your work experience with preparedness and confidence.

• Do you need a resume?
• What should you put on a resume?

Crafting a resume with no experience

Finalizing your first job resume, quick guide: write your first resume in 6 steps, do you need a resume for your first job.

While a resume may not be required to apply for your first job, it is highly recommended that you do so, and it will undoubtedly set you apart from the other applicants. A resume reflects your professionalism and commitment to the job application process. It showcases your knowledge, skills, training and prior experience in an easy-to-digest and relatively standard format, making it easy for potential employers to decipher between candidates to choose the best person for the job.

Even for entry-level positions, when many applicants don’t have a prior work history, sharing a resume will give you a competitive edge when written persuasively.

The role of a resume in job applications

A resume plays an important role when applying for jobs. It serves as an introduction to potential employers and those in the company who will decide whether or not to move forward with your application. It also provides a summary of what you bring to the table for those who will be interviewing you during the application process.

The resume is essential for showcasing your skills. A well-crafted and persuasive resume can highlight your achievements and knowledge, even if you have limited work experience in the field you’re applying to. Because your resume is the first contact point between you and a potential employer, it’s crucial to understand how to write a resume for your first job – and how to write it well.

What should you put on a resume for your first job?

There are a few things every resume must include – and those are some of the most essential details.

Contact information

We’d be remiss if we didn’t include the most important part of your resume – sharing your contact information. Start by listing your full name, phone number, email address and a link to your LinkedIn profile. Without your contact information, potential employers will have a hard time contacting you, which can prevent you from getting an interview.

Why share a link to your LinkedIn profile ? LinkedIn is now an essential part of the job search market. It serves as a shareable resume in addition to showcasing your network. Employers can see if you have any professionals in common from work or personal life, which may help build your credibility as a candidate.

Be sure to act professionally on LinkedIn. Share relevant news and insights to highlight your interest and knowledge of an industry, but be wary of getting too personal or engaging in inappropriate dialogue. Behave on LinkedIn as you would in an office setting with colleagues.

Educational background and achievements

Start by listing your educational information, such as schools attended, graduation dates and relevant academic achievements or awards. Include your major and minor, field of study and GPA. If you were enrolled in courses, projects or study abroad programs relevant to the job, include details to show your knowledge and interests.

Skills section

While you likely have some combination of hard and soft skills, a skills section will showcase the hard skills you’ve learned to prepare you for the job. Soft skills are best to be included in the bullet points to describe your accomplishments in your experience section.

• Hard skills include specific technical skills you’ve learned along the way. For example, computer proficiency, language skills, lab skills or specific training or certifications.
• Soft skills , or human skills, include job aspects that apply to many (if not all) job roles. These include communication, teamwork and problem-solving. If you’re particularly adept in any of these, showcase them and be prepared to share real examples of these skills in action.

Extracurricular activities and volunteer work

Employers look for candidates who go the extra mile to be involved in extracurricular activities. This demonstrates your commitment to becoming a well-rounded human being. Highlight clubs, sports or volunteer activities that you were involved in, especially emphasizing leadership roles or particular responsibilities you had in these activities. This extracurricular activity showcases your ability to multi-task, prioritize time and develop skills and interests.

Example Resume & Writing Guide

See a real-life example of a strong resume, including tips for gathering your own persuasive experience and skills using our Resume Writing Guide !

As a young adult or new graduate, you may wonder how to write a resume for your first job with no real-world experience. Don’t fear – there have been many in your shoes before you!

What does a resume look like for a first job?

Your resume should be straightforward with a clean and concise design. It should be easy to read with a simple flow highlighting information from most important to nice-to-have details. Do not go overboard with design details, fonts or graphics. 

Furman recommends that you use Microsoft Word to build your resume as it can be easier to make changes to a Word document than it is to change a template. However, you can use free resume builder tools online to build your resume in standard formats.

• Myperfectresume.com
• Resumenerd.com

Using strong action words and job-specific keywords in your resume for your first job will significantly impact you. Describe experiences and achievements using strong action verbs, such as:

• Collaborated
• Volunteered

What to put on a resume with no experience?

You can learn how to write a resume for your first job that impresses potential employers, even without relevant work experience, by emphasizing relevant coursework. Doing this demonstrates skills learned in a classroom or group project setting. Highlight personal or academic projects showcasing your abilities, such as experiences where you took the lead as a group or team leader.

Before submitting your first job resume, review and edit the document for mistakes or improvements.

Proofreading and editing

Attention to detail is critical to potential employers. Check your resume for typos and grammatical errors. Mistakes on your resume may eliminate you as a candidate, especially if grammatical adeptness or attention to detail is essential to the job.

Similarly, ensure a consistent design throughout your resume. Stick to one format, using one legible font and minimal design details. A professional resume appearance can set you apart from other applicants’ resumes that may appear messy or disorganized.

Seeking feedback

Don’t be afraid to ask for feedback from friends, mentors or even career services at schools or community centers. A peer review from your fellow students, teachers or mentors can provide invaluable input on skills you may be forgetting, plus the extra set of eyes can help detect errors and typos.

Career services at your school or library also serve as an excellent third-party validation and review resource. Furman’s Malone Center for Career Engagement offers in-depth career preparation services for students, such as resume and cover letter assistance , career fairs and networking , personalized advice from advisors and interview prep – just to name a few.

Webinar: Polishing Your Resume & Preparing Your Pitch

Watch the free Polishing Your Resume & Preparing Your Pitch webinar for an in-depth look at creating your resume and preparing a pitch to potential employers straight from a Furman career advisor.

Now, do you feel ready and excited to write a resume for your first job? We hope you jotted down notes specific to your experience as you read through the post, but in case you didn’t, writing your resume can be simplified to these simple steps.

• Start with your contact information , including full name, phone number and email address. Consider adding a link to your LinkedIn profile.
• List your education experience , including relevant projects, courses and extracurricular activities.
• List both hard skills and soft skills relevant to the job.
• Explain your roles and responsibilities in your projects and extracurricular activities, especially those where you acted in a leadership capacity, using strong action verbs.
• Proofread and gather feedback.

If this is your first time writing a resume for your first job, approach the process with confidence and positivity. Your attitude will shine through the resume, so stay positive!

The perspectives and thoughts shared in the Furman Blog belong solely to the author and may not align with the official stance or policies of Furman University. All referenced sources were accurate as of the date of publication.

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Best Summer Jobs For College Students

Updated: Jul 29, 2021, 12:18pm

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Taking a summer break can sound appealing if you’re a college student who studied tirelessly a full semester, but you could be missing out on a valuable opportunity to make serious money to help pay for school.

College costs have dramatically increased over the past few years, leading many people to rely on student loans and other financial aid to fund their degrees. If you want to reduce how much you have to borrow, or even keep yourself financially afloat while going to school, taking on a summer job can be an excellent way to earn money.

If you’re not attending summer classes, it’s also a great way to work full-time and earn more before classes begin. Summer jobs for college students can range from corporate office positions to gigs working outside. Regardless of your interests, you can find a job that works for you.

Summer Jobs for College Students: 5 Factors to Consider

Many students pay for a portion of their college expenses with earnings from part-time jobs. According to Sallie Mae’s How America Pays for College study, students paid $2,303—about 8% of their college budget—from their income and savings.

You can use the summer break to bulk up your college savings and reduce your need for student loans. When thinking about good summer jobs for college students, consider the following five factors:

How much you can make is one of the most important parts of a job. The federal minimum wage is $7.25 per hour, but some states have a higher minimum wage. For example, California’s minimum wage is $13 per hour. You could earn significantly more depending on the type of job you choose and your location.

2. Commitment

As a college student, you likely won’t be able to continue working the same job once the semester starts. When looking for a job, look for seasonal work specifically designed for students like you, rather than positions that want a long-term commitment.

3. Schedule

During the summer, you want to earn money, but you also want to spend some time with your friends and family. An ideal job will have some flexibility that still allows you to have a personal life and enjoy some free time.

4. Experience

Besides earning money, you can also gain invaluable work experience with a summer job. If you’re in a competitive field, work experience and an established professional network can help you secure a job after you graduate.

5. Prestige

If you’re planning on going to graduate school or want to work for well-known companies, a prestigious internship or office job can look impressive on your resume or lead you faster to your career goals.

Once you’ve figured out what you want to get out of your job, you can start searching for the right position. Below are some of the best summer jobs available for college students.

Outdoor Jobs: $9 to $15 per Hour

For people who love the summer sun, you may want a job working outdoors. Most outdoor jobs require you to be physically healthy, and pay is generally under $20 per hour. Here are average pay estimates, as of July 2021, for popular outdoor jobs.

Landscaper: $14.25 per Hour

As a landscaper, you would mow lawns, prune bushes, maintain gardens and plant flowers and trees. It requires a good deal of physical stamina, since you’ll be outside throughout the heat of the day digging, weeding and cutting.

Lifeguard: $10.18 per Hour

If you’re a strong swimmer and are CPR trained, you could work as a lifeguard for public pools, at the beach or at waterparks. You’ll be responsible for watching the swimmers in the water and ensuring everyone is following safety guidelines.

Dog Walker: $14.97 per Hour

For animal lovers, dog walking is a way to earn money while exercising with new furry friends. Dog walkers take dogs out while their owners are away at work, ensuring they get appropriate exercise. To be a dog walker, you must be familiar with dogs and be able to handle animals of all sizes.

Camp Counselor: $9.93 per Hour

People who love working with children or young adults may enjoy a role as a camp counselor at local summer or day camps. You’ll oversee the campers and make sure they’re safe. You’ll also lead activities and make sure all of the kids are engaged.

Farmhand: $12.16 per Hour

If you don’t mind getting your hands dirty, farms always need extra help. Whether it’s mucking stalls or repairing fences, farmhands are an essential part of making a farm profitable. The work is physically demanding, but it can be rewarding if you enjoy being outdoors.

Office Jobs: $11 to $18 per Hour

If you’d prefer spending your summer inside (with air conditioning), you can earn money while gaining valuable work experience. Below are the average pay per hour for top indoor jobs as of July 2021.

Paid Intern: Varies by Field

Even if you’re a rising college sophomore, it’s not too early to consider taking on a summer internship. Depending on your major, you may be able to secure a paid internship that allows you to get hands-on work experience while earning money. The pay for interns varies based on your field. For instance, the median pay for marketing interns is $14.33 per hour, while the median pay for engineering interns is $17.62 per hour.

Receptionist: $13.37 per Hour

As a receptionist, you’ll be the first point of contact for customers. You’ll greet visitors and direct them to the correct person, answer phones and schedule appointments. It’s a job that requires you to maintain a professional presence at all times, and you must be highly organized.

Retail Sales Associate: $11.49 per Hour

In retail, you’ll build customer service skills and gain experience in sales. As a sales associate, you’ll manage product displays, offer your assistance to customers and handle payments.

Service Jobs: $7.17 to $15.27 per Hour

Right now, there is unprecedented demand for service and hospitality workers. To attract cooks, waitstaff, bartenders and housekeeping staff, some companies are offering sign-up bonuses and same-day hiring.

Server: Median Base Pay Rate Is $7.15, But You Can Earn More With Tips

If you’re friendly and efficient, working as a food and drink server can allow you to earn a substantial amount of money in tips. You’ll also gain essential experience in customer service, and the time spent working in a fast-paced work environment will help you later on in whatever career path you choose.

Hotel Receptionist: $12.90 per Hour

If you need more flexibility with your hours, working at a hotel might be a better fit because most hotels need employees around the clock doing multiple tasks like checking in customers, cleaning rooms and staffing banquets. The larger chains also have programs that encourage grooming employees for management, so it could lead to a career path after college.

Delivery Driver: $15.29 per Hour

Delivering food is a reliable part-time job. And, due to the Covid-19 pandemic, more restaurants than ever before are now offering delivery. By fulfilling multiple orders, you can earn a healthy base rate and you can also earn tips that boost your hourly rate.

Barista: $10.89 per Hour

One of the most popular summer jobs for college students is working as a barista at a local coffee shop. You typically have to be an early riser, since most people want their drinks before work, and you should be able to remember complicated drink orders.

On-Demand Gigs

The gig economy can be a great solution for college students looking for flexible work. You can set your own schedule and work when you want. And, if you want some time off to join friends for a beach weekend, you can do that without having to get approval from a manager.

The downside? There is no guarantee you’ll get work when you want it. If that trade-off is worth it, here are some good summer gigs for college students.

Shipt: Up to $22 per Hour

If you don’t mind grocery shopping for other people, you can earn a solid hourly wage from Shipt . You’ll accept online orders through the app, head to the grocery store to fulfill that order and drop it off at the customer’s home. There is a base rate and you can earn more money from tips.

TaskRabbit: Up to $22 per Hour

For people who are skilled at assembling Ikea furniture, gift-wrapping, cleaning houses or other general tasks, TaskRabbit can be a good match. You can find local customers that need help with various tasks and earn an hourly rate and tips.

Care.com: $11.76 per Hour

If you have experience and enjoy caring for children, you can find local babysitting jobs through Care.com. You can specify which age groups you’re best with, set your own rates and get paid directly through the site.

Dolly: $20 to $35 per Hour

If you are strong and don’t mind lifting furniture, consider applying to be a mover with Dolly. Dolly customers may request that movers pick up heavy objects—such as a table they purchased at a store—or help them relocate from one home to another. If you have a truck or van, you can earn even more if you allow customers to use the vehicle to move their things.

Where to Look for Summer Jobs

If you’re looking for a job, you’ll likely have to work a little harder than just doing a quick Google search for summer jobs.

You can find relevant opportunities through the following sources:

• Job search sites : General job search sites like Indeed and SnagAJob allow you to search for local opportunities and filter the results by experience and pay.
• Industry databases : If you have a particular industry in mind, look for an industry website that operates a jobs database. For example, landscapers can find jobs on LandscapeIndustryCareers.org , and people looking for work at salons can search for a job on BeautyLeap .
• Social media : Companies that need workers often post job listings online. If you have a few companies in mind, follow them on Twitter, Facebook or Instagram to find available positions.
• Word of mouth : If you’re looking for a job, let everyone in your network know. Your network includes your family, friends, professors and past coworkers and managers. They can tell you if they know of any interesting opportunities available.
• In person : Particularly in the service industry, visiting a business in person can be an excellent way to get a job quickly. Based on the current demand, you could be interviewed on the spot and start a new job as soon as this week.

How to Use Your Summer Job Income Wisely

Now that you’ve learned about the best summer jobs for college students, you can focus your job search on roles that fit your priorities. Once you secure a job, make sure you have a plan in place for your earnings. Otherwise, the summer will come to an end and you could find your bank account is already depleted from vacation expenses.

Consider setting aside a percentage of your pay—such as 10%—as fun money. You can use it for nights out with friends or to buy nonessentials. The rest of the money could be reserved for your college expenses. By splitting it up, you won’t feel deprived, but you’ll still have money to offset your education costs .

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For the past seven years, Kat has been helping people make the best financial decisions for their unique situations, whether they're looking for the right insurance policies or trying to pay down debt. Kat has expertise in insurance and student loans, and she holds certifications in student loan and financial education counseling.

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Best part-time jobs for college students

Heather Cox

2 August 2024

College life is a whirlwind of classes, assignments, extracurriculars, and social activities. Amidst all of this, having a part-time job is a great way to earn some extra cash and gain professional experience that can seriously boost your career prospects. With the crazy schedules of college life, flexible part-time jobs that fit seamlessly into your routine are a must. Not only do these jobs help you earn money, but they also help you build transferable skills, create professional connections, and gain real-world experience that’s valuable for your future career. Plus, juggling a part-time job and your studies teaches you important lessons in time management, prioritization, and work-life balance. In this article, we’ll dive into some of the best part-time jobs for college students, highlighting their benefits, flexibility, and how they can fit into your busy life.

Virtual Assistant

With the rise of remote work, virtual assistant roles have become increasingly popular. These positions often involve tasks like scheduling appointments, managing emails, arranging travel, and making phone calls for businesses and individuals. This job allows you to work from anywhere and at times that fit your schedule. Some jobs pay per task rather than by the hour, offering even more flexibility.

Skills needed: You should be tech-savvy and have strong organizational and communication skills. Experience with productivity tools like Microsoft Office and Google Suite is also helpful.

• Competitive hourly rates
• Valuable experience in time management and project coordination
• Strengthens organizational and communication skills for future roles

Online Tutor

Tutoring is a rewarding way for college students to earn money while helping others. Online tutoring platforms offer various formats, from one-on-one sessions to small groups or asynchronous learning. The great thing about this job is that online tutors are needed in nearly every subject and field. For success, consider specializing in subjects you excel in. For instance, offering tutoring for standardized test prep can be a great option, especially if it’s something you recently studied extensively yourself.

Skills needed: Deep knowledge of a particular subject, strong facilitation and communication skills, tech-savviness, and patience are crucial.

• Choose your own work hours
• Decent pay rates
• Opportunity to grow your client-base through referrals and word-of-mouth
• Development of teaching and communication skills

Freelance Writer or Social Media Manager

If you have a flair for writing or a good grasp of social media, freelancing can be a great fit. It may take some work scoring your first few paid assignments, but once you establish some credibility with a strong portfolio, you can expand your client base through the networks of your clients. These roles offer the chance to work on various projects at your own pace and can open doors to future opportunities in marketing and digital media.

Skills needed: Strong written and oral communication skills are essential. For content development or social media roles, a good design sense and proficiency in photo and video editing software are an asset.

• A great degree of flexibility in choosing projects and working hours
• Development of writing, marketing, and social media skills
• Potential for building a diverse portfolio

Event Staff

Working as event staff is a popular choice for college students due to the flexible and often sporadic nature of the job. Event staff roles can include working at concerts, college events, sports events, festivals, and conferences, offering a dynamic and engaging work environment.

Skills needed: Good interpersonal skills, punctuality, and a flexible attitude are key for success in this role.

• Gaining valuable customer service experience
• Flexible scheduling that can accommodate academic commitments
• Exposure to various events and networking opportunities
• Depending on the event, you may even get perks like tickets, discounts, or free food!

Warehouse or Logistics Positions

Part-time jobs in warehouses or logistics companies can be a good fit, especially during peak seasons when extra help is needed. These roles involve tasks such as lifting heavy objects, packing, organizing, and shipping products. While physically demanding, these jobs often pay well and can fit easily into a student’s schedule. Check out warehouse jobs that fit your lifestyle on Indeed Flex!

Skills needed: Punctuality, physical strength, high energy levels, a can-do attitude, and attention to detail are essential.

• Opportunities for part-time or seasonal work
• Competitive hourly wages
• Developing experience in logistics and operations (which can be useful for future career pathways)

Ride-Sharing or Delivery Services

Working as a ride-share driver or delivery person offers significant flexibility. You can choose your hours and work as much or as little as you want, making it easy to balance work with your academic schedule. However, you do need to have your own vehicle, so this option is suitable to only those who drive and own a vehicle. While these jobs have great flexibility and are a great way to make extra cash while driving your car, there are hidden expenses like gas, car maintenance, and taxes that you must budget for.

Skills needed: Besides a car and a valid driver’s license, it’s important to have good time management, navigation skills, and customer service skills.

• High degree of flexibility in working hours
• Ability to earn money during spare time
• Experience in customer service and time management

Hospitality Jobs

The hospitality industry offers a range of part-time jobs perfect for college students, including roles like waiter/waitress , line cook , or bartender . These roles are often flexible and can provide valuable experience in customer service, time management, and multitasking. There are a vast variety of hospitality jobs including server, line cook, and bartender positions that you can apply for on Indeed Flex today.

Skills: Excellent customer service and communication skills, plus the ability to multitask effectively.

• Variety of job roles to choose from
• Opportunities for flexible scheduling
• Development of interpersonal and customer service skills

A part-time job can enhance your college years by providing financial support and valuable experience. Whether you choose a role as a virtual assistant, online tutor, freelance writer, event staff, warehouse worker, ride-share driver, or hospitality staff, pick a job that fits your schedule and interests.

Motivated to apply right away? Click on the link to get started!

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Fact-Checking Claims About Tim Walz’s Record

Republicans have leveled inaccurate or misleading attacks on Mr. Walz’s response to protests in the summer of 2020, his positions on immigration and his role in the redesign of Minnesota’s flag.

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By Linda Qiu

Since Gov. Tim Walz of Minnesota was announced as the Democratic nominee for vice president, the Trump campaign and its allies have gone on the attack.

Mr. Walz, a former teacher and football coach from Nebraska who served in the National Guard, was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 2006 and then as Minnesota’s governor in 2018. His branding of former President Donald J. Trump as “weird” this year caught on among Democrats and helped catapult him into the national spotlight and to the top of Vice President Kamala Harris’s list of potential running mates.

The Republican accusations, which include questions over his military service , seem intended at undercutting a re-energized campaign after President Biden stepped aside and Ms. Harris emerged as his replacement at the top of the ticket. Mr. Trump and his allies have criticized, sometimes inaccurately, Mr. Walz’s handling of protests in his state, his immigration policies, his comments about a ladder factory and the redesign of his state’s flag.

Here’s a fact check of some claims.

What Was Said

“Because if we remember the rioting in the summer of 2020, Tim Walz was the guy who let rioters burn down Minneapolis.” — Senator JD Vance of Ohio, the Republican nominee for vice president, during a rally on Wednesday in Philadelphia

This is exaggerated. Mr. Walz has faced criticism for not quickly activating the National Guard to quell civil unrest in Minneapolis in the summer of 2020 after the murder of George Floyd by a police officer. But claims that he did not respond at all, or that the city burned down, are hyperbolic.

Mr. Floyd was murdered on May 25, 2020, and demonstrators took to the streets the next day . The protests intensified, with some vandalizing vehicles and setting fires. More than 700 state troopers and officers with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources’ mobile response team were deployed on May 26 to help the city’s police officers, according to a 2022 independent assessment by the state’s Department of Public Safety of the response to the unrest.

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What Mr. Walz’s former students have to say about the Democratic VP nominee

Tamara Keith

A look at Tim Walz's early years as a high school teacher and football coach

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz is seen at a campaign event in Detroit on Thursday. Before he held elected office, Walz was a high school teacher and an assistant football coach. Andrew Harnik/Getty Images hide caption

For most Americans, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz’s campaign debut with Vice President Harris this week is an introduction. For his former students, it’s the culmination of a rise they’ve been relishing for years.

Before landing on Harris’s radar, Walz was a global studies teacher and assistant football coach at Mankato West High School in the 1990s and early 2000s. Mr. Walz ended his teaching career when he won a seat in Congress in 2006, but Walz’s students still remember him fondly to this day.

At a rally in Wisconsin on Wednesday, Walz in turn credited his students for his rise in politics.

"It was my students who encouraged me to run for office. I never thought that much about it," Walz said. "But they saw in me what I was hoping to instill in them — this idea of a commitment to a better world, a common good. A belief that one single person can actually make a difference."

Vice President Harris and her running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, wave as they disembark Air Force 2 for a campaign rally at Detroit Metropolitan Airport in Michigan on Wednesday. Jeff Kowalsky/AFP via Getty Images hide caption

NPR spoke with some of Walz's former students to get a closer look into his character and those lessons he tried to pass on.

The students were downright giddy about the possibility that their former teacher could be the vice president. Their text chains lit up with old pictures and stories about Walz. One described it as surreal. Another marveled at what a normal guy he still is. Another said he was glad America was finally getting to know the man who was so important to them.

From the classroom and the football field

Students say Walz taught his global studies class in a way that got everyone involved in the conversation — and pushed them to expand their horizons.

Noah Hobbs, one former global studies student, says he was a C student and could have easily slipped through the cracks. But Walz took an interest in him, and the enthusiasm motivated Hobbs to learn.

"Leaving his class, going to the next one, it was really hard to not want to continue to learn," Hobbs told NPR. "Because it was like this sugar high that just doesn’t stop."

Walz was known for drinking diet Mountain Dew, and former student Will Handke fondly tells the story of watching Mr. Walz down a bag of Oreos on a late night train ride during a field trip to China.

"I heard some crunching and munching and looked out over the side and saw Walz’s hand zipping into the bag of Oreos as fast as I possibly have seen any hand move,” Handke told NPR. “And that bag of Oreos disappeared very quickly."

The story is so legendary his twin brother told NPR the same anecdote with slightly different details.

Sam Hurd said he was attracted to Walz's class because he heard it was heavy on discussion and light on homework. The lesson he ultimately took away from Walz was less about geography and more about the value of public service and the importance of everyone finding a way to contribute to the greater good. Hurd ultimately became a teacher himself, teaching English for speakers of other languages in Baltimore.

Hurd was so pumped to see Walz picked as Harris' running mate that he and another former Walz student dropped everything to drive up to Philadelphia Tuesday to watch Mr. Walz at the Pennsylvania rally, a full-circle moment.

"There’s still very much like a 'Mr. Walz goes to Washington' feeling about all of it, even though he has been doing that for, you know, 15 or 20 years," Hurd said from the passenger seat.

By the time Hurd and his friend got to the rally, the arena was full, and after waiting in a 2 hour line, they ended up in an overflow room. When they told people they were Walz’s students, they were suddenly very popular.

Mitch Salsbery was a freshman on the varsity football team Walz helped coach them to win the Minnesota state championship.

That state championship featured in an early Walz campaign ad and is now something Harris emphasizes when talking about her running mate, calling him "Coach."

But for Salsbery, it is the way Walz coached that has stuck with him.

"Mr. Walz brought passion every day. He loved to coach. He loved to teach," Salsbery told NPR.

Salsbery said it wasn’t the sort of fake energy he saw from a lot of other coaches in his years playing high school and college football. He said Walz had a way of holding every player to a high standard, to play to the best of their potential, whether they were a mediocre backup or a future all star.

"Football — if you don’t do your job, there’s literally a hole there for them to run the ball through. Tim, he just had a way of not making you feel bad but making you want to do better," he said.

To the campaign stage

Tim Walz shakes hands on the campaign trail during his first bid for Congress. William Handke hide caption

Handke, like many of Walz’s students, ended up volunteering on his first campaign, working as an unpaid intern on Walz’s bid for Congress in 2006, making calls, knocking doors, and helping out at parades.

"He doesn’t let any hand get unshaken," Handke said. "Walz would run back and forth, back and forth, shaking hands. This man does not stop."

Walz would be drenched in sweat and still going.

Kristina Rothenberg was a student the last year Walz taught. Rothenberg describes him as always smiling in the halls, someone who listened, who wanted to make people’s lives better.

Her senior year after Walz had been elected, a group of students went on a field trip to Washington, D.C.

"One year you have him as a teacher. The next year you go see his office in D.C. It’s pretty amazing," Rothenberg said.

Rothenberg added that Mr. Walz went out of his way to get her and a friend a tour of the White House.

"He had to walk to the White House, show his 'I’m a congressman' badge so that we could do the tour. And then he went back to his job of being a congressman," Rothenberg said. "I still think he’d do that today, by the way."

Tim Walz is seen campaigning with this daughter, Hope, on his shoulders in 2005. William Handke hide caption

Rothenberg went on to volunteer for his 2008 reelection campaign as his parade director, which meant organizing other volunteers and walking with him in many a sweaty, small-town parade.

"The way he could rally people at a parade was just something I'll never forget. He joined in all the cheers and chants," Rothenberg said. "And this was before you had a step counter, but he must have put miles on the parade routes when he was there."

She said it was one of the best summers of her life.

Walz returned to speak to the AP Government class Hobbs was taking a couple of years after leaving the classroom for Congress. Hobbs was late to the class — and Walz greeted him at the door saying, "Some things never change."

"I wasn’t a bad enough student that I should be remembered. I also was not a good enough student that I should be remembered," Hobbs said. "But two years removed [from] being my teacher, and remembering that I was habitually tardy to his class and every other class .. that is pretty incredible."

Years later, Hobbs ended up running for office himself, wrapping up six years on the Duluth Minnesota City Council. Hobbs said Walz showed him that you don’t have to go to an Ivy League school or come from money to get into politics and make a difference.

NPR's Jordan-Marie Smith and Clayton Kincade contributed to this story.