4 Reasons High Schoolers Should Start a Student Resume

You have to do a lot of writing in high school. Persuasive essays. Book reports. Creative writing. Presentations. But one thing you may not have written yet is your student resume. “But I’m just in high school,” you might be saying. “Why do I need a resume?”

I’m here to tell you that your student resume is more than just a list of achievements; instead, it's also a tool that can enhance your letters of recommendation, simplify writing your Common App activities list, show your fit to major, and even set you on the path to landing that dream internship or job. Think of your student resume as your secret weapon for showcasing not just what you've learned in the classroom but also your leadership, passions, and unique experiences.

So, if you're ready to learn even more about why your student resume is more than just a piece of paper, let's dive in together!

1. Great Student Resumes Boost Those Stellar Letters of Recommendation

Picture this: you're asking your favorite teacher for a top-notch letter of recommendation to use for your college and scholarship applications. They know you're awesome in class. But we know you’re a lot more than that. If only there were a way you could show them all your extracurricular activities, leadership roles, and community service projects in one document.

See where I’m going with this?

Here’s where your student resume can swoop in to save the day! A well-written and well-organized resume gives your teachers a comprehensive view of your achievements, making it easier for them to craft a standout recommendation that truly showcases your strengths.

2. Well-Planned Student Resumes Simplify the Writing of Your Common App Activities List

Filling out your college applications, whether you’re using the Common App or another portal, can be tedious. And once you get to the Activities List, you might be wondering how to maximize that pretty-small character count. How can you distill four years of high school into just 10 activities and 150 characters per activity description?

It can seem overwhelming, especially when you've been involved in a ton of different things throughout high school.

No need to panic! Your student resume is back to save the day. Because you’ve already organized all your activities, honors, and achievements in one place and used solid action verbs to describe what you’ve done, you’ll be able to more easily transfer them over to your Common App with just a little editing — and without breaking a sweat.

3. Show Your Fit to Major Through a Carefully Crafted Student Resume

There are some schools, like UT-Austin and Texas A&M that accept resumes as part of your college application. Because these schools accept students to the schools first and their major second, having a strong resume that supports your major can (especially for UT-Austin) help show your fit to that major.

Once again, having a polished student resume will help showcase your passions, your leadership skills, and your unique experiences. By presenting a well-rounded picture of who you are and what you’ve done through your resume, you're showing them why you're the perfect fit for their campus community.

4. Use Your Student Resume to Land an Internship or Job

Whether you're eyeing a competitive summer internship or getting ready to apply for a part-time job, a well-crafted student resume can make all the difference. Potential employers love seeing your involvement in school clubs, volunteer work, or any part-time gigs you've tackled. Not only can they see your experience, but they can also get a glimpse into the qualities you’ve developed and the accomplishments you’ve had. Student resumes are a sneak peek into your skills and interests, giving organizations a glimpse of the incredible asset you'd be to their team.

So, there you have it! Your student resume isn't just a piece of paper – it's your ticket to unlocking amazing opportunities, showcasing your talents, and standing out in a sea of applicants. Start crafting your student resume today with my online course, and watch as your academic and professional doors swing wide open. You've got this!