If you’ve ever thought, “I don’t have anything to put on a resume yet,” you’re not alone. A lot of students feel like they need experience before they can even start. The truth is, your resume is something you build as you go, not something you wait to create later.
The good news is you are probably already doing more than you think.
Campus Organizations– Getting involved on campus is one of the easiest ways to gain experience. Whether it connects to your major or is just something you enjoy, it shows teamwork, commitment, and involvement.
Volunteering – Helping out at events or in the community can turn into great resume content. It shows initiative and a willingness to be involved.
On-campus jobs – Any job is valuable experience. You are building communication skills, time management, and responsibility, which are all things employers are looking for in potential candidates.
Class Projects – The presentation or group project that you worked hard on counts! If it relates to your major, it can be added as relevant experience.
Small Leadership Roles – You do not have to be the president of the organization to gain leadership skills. Being a committee member or holding a chair position can still show leadership in your organization.
You do not have to wait until your junior or senior year to start building your resume. The small things you are doing right now add up more than you think. Start keeping track of your involvement and take advantage of opportunities.
If you are not sure where to start, Career Services will always be here to help.
Mallory Cain
Mallory is the Career Services Specialist at Southern Arkansas University. She graduated from SAU in 2021 with her BBA in Marketing and with her MBA in 2023.
