Creating a Resume for College or Internships: Where to Start
A strong resume isn’t about having done everything—it’s about clearly showing who you are.
Whether you’re applying for a summer internship, a college leadership program, or just trying to stand out in a stack of applications, a clear, well-organized resume can help tell your story before you ever say a word.
But here’s the thing: most students don’t know where to start—and that’s okay. You don’t need a long list of titles or perfect formatting to build something meaningful. You just need a thoughtful approach and a few key tips.
What a Resume Is and Isn’t
A resume is:
✔ A one-page snapshot of your experiences, accomplishments, and skills
✔ A tool to show how you’ve spent your time and what you’ve learned
✔ A bridge to conversations in interviews or applications
A resume isn’t:
✘ A place to exaggerate or inflate achievements
✘ A list of everything you’ve ever done
✘ Something you make once and never update
What to Include on a Student Resume
Here’s a general structure to follow for high school and early college students:
1. Contact Info
Full name, email address, phone number, and city/state
LinkedIn (optional) if it’s active and professional
2. Education
High school (and college, if applicable) with graduation year
GPA (if 3.5+) and any honors, AP/IB coursework, or relevant coursework
3. Activities & Leadership
Clubs, teams, service, or student government
Focus on roles, responsibilities, and time commitment
Don’t just list—describe impact and what you’ve learned
4. Work Experience
Part-time jobs, internships, babysitting, tutoring, etc.
Show initiative, reliability, and transferable skills
5. Skills & Interests
Technical tools (Google Suite, Canva, Microsoft Office, etc.)
Languages, certifications, or relevant training
Personal interests or hobbies that show curiosity and character
Tips to Make It Stand Out
Keep it to one page. Concise is impressive.
Use action verbs. Led, organized, collaborated, created, designed.
Be consistent. Fonts, spacing, and punctuation should match.
Tailor it. Slightly adjust your resume for each opportunity.
Proofread it. Then ask someone else to proofread it again.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Using overly complex templates that are hard to read
Focusing only on titles, not on substance
Forgetting to update it with new experiences
Downplaying informal experience (ex: tutoring siblings, side hustles)
How We Help
At College and Career Collective, we work with students to build resumes that reflect who they are—not just what they’ve done. We help identify transferable skills, shape clear bullet points, and create a document that supports college, internship, or job applications.
