Get involved, get experience.
Getting high grades is only half the battle of impressing future employers with your resume. Employers like to see that their employees are well-rounded, can multitask, and are involved in their community. As much as I wish binge-watching Grey's Anatomy for the 100th time can count as a resume-worthy accomplishment, employers want to see something more meaningful. Here is a list of types of extracurriculars to make your resume stand out:
Major-Related Clubs
These are one of the best for networking and reaching club alumni in your field for possible career opportunities. These are also a great way to form study groups, swap professor recommendations, and make friends with people with similar interests.
Greek Life
Greek life is another amazing networking opportunity. Whether you join a social, service, or major-related sorority/fraternity, the networking and friendship making possibilities are endless. Other benefits of joining Greek life are academic and alumni support, leadership development, and philanthropy.
Sports
Joining sports teams shows employers your ability to multitask by juggling mandatory sporting events while successfully completing a college degree. Time-management is an important skill when managing sports and academics that employers like to see in their employees.
Community Involvement
Joining community service clubs that are offered on almost every college campus like Habitat for Humanity or Relay For Life demonstrate to employers your desire to aid the community and cooperate amongst groups.
Leadership Clubs
Employers like to see that their employees can take charge in a leadership role, if need be. The experience as a Resident Assistant (RA) or an Orientation Leader can be a predictor of future behavior in the workplace that is attractive to employers. Leadership experience shows employers your proactiveness, decision-making abilities, and your managerial skills.
School Government
As well as networking opportunities, being in a school government organization teaches students leadership skills, how to work with a team, and the development of "people" skills.
If these clubs don't really work for you, start your own! Starting a club with an advisor and a few friends shows your initiative and drive to accomplish a project. Clubs are an easy way to have fun but also benefit your future after graduation by learning important skills and networking.
Rebecca Connolly
Hofstra University
Rebecca is a senior marketing major at Hofstra University.
Originally from Colchester, Connecticut, she loves exploring New York City and finding all the best food. You can usually find her anywhere that serves pizza, buffalo wings, or chocolate milkshakes while panicking over her post-graduation future.
