Building a college resume: What every student should include

And while you might already be juggling classes, part-time work and a social life, there’s one thing you’ll thank yourself for starting early: building your college resume.

Think of your resume as your professional Instagram highlight reel. It doesn’t need to list everything you’ve ever done (sorry, seventh-grade spelling bee champ). Instead, it should showcase the skills, experiences and qualities that make you the perfect fit for the next big thing you’re chasing.

Sure, you might think, “I’m still in school, what do I really have to put on a resume?” Here’s the deal: Recruiters and grad school committees don’t expect you to have decades of experience; they expect you to show potential. Your resume is proof that you’ve been learning, growing, and applying yourself.

A solid resume can help you with:

• Internships and co-ops: A strong resume for internships in college helps you stand out in a competitive pool. Check out UC’s co-op programs for opportunities. 
• Applications: Whether it’s grad school or scholarships, a polished resume for college applications shows that you’re serious and prepared.
• Part-time jobs and research opportunities: Even on-campus positions want to see what you bring to the table.

So, where do you start? Here’s the breakdown.

Keep it clean and simple; no funky fonts or rainbow colors (sorry, graphic design majors). Stick with a college student resume format that highlights sections like education, experience, skills, and activities.

If you’re looking for a bit of inspiration, check out these UC college resume examples.

Your degree comes first. List your major and expected graduation date so employers know where you’re headed. While you can include your GPA, the truth is most employers care more about your skills and experience than whether you pulled a 3.5 or a 3.0. If you’ve got relevant coursework, certifications, or a portfolio that showcases what you can actually do, put those front and center. That’s what really stands out.

Example:

University of Cincinnati – Cincinnati, OH
Bachelor of Business Administration, Marketing
Expected Graduation: May 2027

Experience isn’t just about jobs. Think internships, co-ops, volunteer work, research, or even leadership roles in student orgs. Employers love seeing that you’ve applied what you’re learning beyond the classroom.

Not currently in a club or leadership role? No worries. UC has plenty of ways to get involved. You can explore student organizations or volunteer opportunities that align with your interests and find something that fits your goals (and adds some great experience to your resume).

The way you describe your experience makes all the difference.

Instead of “Helped with events,” try, “Coordinated a campus-wide event with 200+ attendees.” Strong action verbs like led, created, implemented, developed, and organized show impact and initiative and get noticed. 

For extra help, check out our list of powerful action verbs for resumes to boost your bulleted descriptions.

Core skills (like coding, graphic design and data analysis) and transferrable skills (like teamwork and communication) both deserve space. Tailor them to the role you’re applying for — your skills section shouldn’t look the same on every application.

For example, if you’re applying for a graphic design internship, you might include:

• Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign)
• Canva Pro
• Basic HTML & CSS
• Branding & visual identity
• Strong communication skills
• Ability to collaborate in team settings

This shows recruiters both the technical tools you can use and the soft skills that make you effective in the workplace.

Don’t overlook student organizations, honor societies, or leadership positions. Employers love seeing students who take initiative outside the classroom. These added experiences make your resume memorable.

• Keep it to one page. You’re still early in your career, so be concise.
• Tailor each application. Use keywords from the job posting. We promise, recruiters will notice.
• Use a template wisely. Some of the best college resume templates are clean and applicant tracking system (ATS) friendly.
  • Pro tip: Skip the Canva graphics-heavy ones; ATS may not read them correctly.

• Proofread. Then proofread again. Typos are a quick way to the “no” pile.

For more tips, you can try using the ResumeAI online review tool — because even the strongest writers benefit from a second set of eyes.

If you’re still wondering what to put on a college resume, here’s a quick cheat sheet:

• Education
• Relevant coursework
• Work experience (paid or unpaid)
• Internships/co-ops
• Leadership roles
• Volunteer work
• Skills (core + transferrable)
• Honors and awards

Your college resume is your ticket to making the most of your UC years and beyond. Whether you’re aiming for your dream internship, prepping for grad school, or just trying to land that on-campus job, a polished resume makes the journey smoother.

Ready to get started? Meet with a Bearcat Promise Career Studio career coach to review BigInterview's suggestions or get even more resume-writing advice. Stop by during walk-in hours or schedule a one-on-one appointment.