Thinking of getting a summer job or after-school gig? Applying to college? Whatever the case, a resume is a must-have. We put together ideas for getting your first resume off the presses.
Now, grades are important, I will admit. As someone who tried to get an A on everything my first year of high school, it would be a bit hypocritical of me to say otherwise. But it’s just as important to stress that your GPA is not the only thing that should matter to you in high school – and more importantly, a number does not and should not ever define you.
However, there are so many things that you could do in high school other than just worry about how you’re doing in class — getting involved with extracurricular activities, for instance.
I know that the idea of being involved in activities can be a bit daunting, especially if you’re anything like I was and don’t even know where to start. So here are a few ideas to set you up for success:
1. Ask Around.
Check out what your friends are doing. See if anyone is a part of a program or extracurricular activity in your community that you find interesting. Talk to your peers, upperclassmen, teachers, and counselors in your high school and see what they have to recommend. In high school, I knew I loved to write, and after talking to an upperclassman who was involved with a writing and mentorship program called Girls Write Now, I too became involved. I have been grateful for the experience ever since.
2. See What Activities Your School Offers.
Most high schools love to boast about the extracurriculars they offer – sports teams, academic or theater clubs, community service opportunities. My high school offered extracurriculars such as model UN, photography, tutoring at local elementary schools, and research opportunities at nearby colleges and universities. Even though I wasn’t involved in all of the activities that my school offered, I was happy with the ones that I did participate in, such as the running club, the social justice club, and Girls Inc., which gave me the opportunity to tutor middle-school girls in English and math after school.
3. Do Some Research.
I remember that toward the end of my sophomore year, I had no idea what I wanted to do for the summer. I decided to randomly google “community service near me” to find what opportunities were available in my area. I ended up finding that my local public library in New York was open to having interested high school students do volunteer work there. So I spent most of my summer helping younger kids use computers and find new books to read. Not only was the experience fun and a great way to spend my time during the summer, but it was something that I was able to put down on my resume.
4. Try Making a Club Yourself.
For those who don’t like what you schools have to offer, try starting your own club – either alone or with a couple of friends. In my junior year of high school, I was obsessed with a lot of books that I wanted to discuss with others. But that was hard to do, considering that most people might not have read the same books. That is when I talked to my English teacher about starting a book club. It can be that easy. Talk to faculty and friends and get your idea turned into a club – not only for you to enjoy, but for many others who might also benefit. Starting a club looks great on a resume, by the way.
Final Thoughts
Whether it’s finding extracurricular activities in your school or community or volunteering in your neighborhood, it’s important to take the time to discover what you might want to be involved in during high school.
It is also an excellent way to build your resume, which will be impressive to present to employers and admissions officers at jobs, internships, and colleges that you might consider applying to in the future.
It is all about what you make of your high school experience. Don’t just spend all your time on books. Let your experiences define who you are and what you want to do someday – that matters just as much as numbers on a piece of paper.
What clubs are already offered at your school?
- What extracurricular activities are you involved in that you can put on your résumé?
- If you aren’t already involved in clubs or extracurricular activities, what can you do?
- Do you see the need for a club that doesn’t yet exist? Can you get one started?
- Where can you volunteer in your local community to gain service hours and leadership opportunities?
