College students gain a depth of experience without ever leaving campus. They gain interpersonal and leadership skills through co-curricular and club positions, yet, many student leaders forget to highlight the skills when applying to positions. Leaders of campus organizations often lead large teams, manage budgets, market events, execute semester-long projects, and collaborate constantly with various student groups, university officials, and departments. Many employers are looking for these transferable skills and these are all great skills that you could bring to paid Micro-Internships like those facilitated by Parker Dewey.
Whether you participated in athletics, performing arts, student government, cultural organizations, fraternity and sorority life, or service organizations it is important to reflect on the skills you’ve gained. Reflecting on your leadership experience and translating it authentically to the professional world is crucial to landing your next position.
Here are some key steps and reflection questions to help you articulate your leadership experience on your resume and in an interview.
Take the time to spell out your role with your co-curricular or leadership experience. Not every employer immediately knows what StudGov, SAC, or IFC stands for.
You’ll need to talk about the projects you worked on and more importantly, how you supported the progress of the project.
Bring it home for them, and clearly articulate how your past experience will make you great for the job that you’re applying for.
There are a few ways you can articulate your leadership skills to future employers and on Micro-Internship applications.
Remember, like most skills, translating and articulating your leadership experience to employers takes practice. Make sure to take the time to reflect and then get out there to try sharing your skills today!
Alexandra Colina, MEd, LPC Alexandra Colina, MEd, LPC is a licensed professional counselor and a career consultant at Next Move Consulting. She has served as a career counselor at Loyola University Chicago, has taught career development courses to undergraduate students at Loyola University Chicago, and has designed career curriculum for Chicago non-profits including Cara Chicago and the Women’s Business Development Center. She has also provided resume reviews for 100+ applicants in programs provided by Skills for Chicagoland’s Future. Alexandra is also a certified instructor for TRACOM Social Styles and Resiliency programs which aim at providing social intelligence and self-awareness to employees. She has supported hundreds of individuals in achieving their next career move. |