College Resume Examples & Writing Tips
Written By Lauren MastroniCareer Expert & Digital Content Writer
Reviewed By Conrad BenzContent Manager & Hiring Manager
Lauren Mastroni is a Digital Content Writer at Resume Genius, where she creates data-driven career content and actionable job search advice. With a background in academic research, she brings a...
Check out our college resume examples, writing tips, and template below to see how to fill up a resume without much (or any) on-the-job experience, and don’t forget to pair your resume with a college student cover letter to complete your application.
College student resumes by experience level
For more designs, check out our library of resume templates.
Fill-in-the-blank college resume template
[YOUR NAME]
[Phone Number] | [Professional Email Address] | [City, State] | [LinkedIn Profile] (optional) | [Portfolio or Personal Website] (optional)
PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY
[Current student or recent graduate] pursuing a [Degree Name] in [Major] at [College or University], with a strong background in [relevant coursework, technical skills, or area of study]. Experienced in [internships, part-time jobs, research, campus organizations, volunteer work, or academic projects], where you developed [2–3 job-relevant skills]. Seeking a [job title] position where I can apply my [key strengths] to contribute to [company name or type of organization] while continuing to grow professionally.
EDUCATION
[College or University Name] | [City, State]
[Degree Title]
Expected Graduation: [Month Year]
GPA: [X.X/4.0] (optional if 3.5 or higher)
Relevant Coursework: [Course 1], [Course 2], [Course 3]
Honors & Awards: [Dean’s List, scholarships, academic awards] (optional)
EXPERIENCE
[Job Title]
[Company Name] | [City, State]
[Month Year]–[Month Year]
- [Describe a responsibility or achievement using an action verb.]
- [Include a measurable accomplishment whenever possible.]
- [Highlight a transferable skill relevant to the job you’re applying for.]
[Previous Job Title]
[Company Name] | [City, State]
[Month Year]–[Month Year]
- [Describe a key accomplishment or responsibility.]
- [Include numbers, percentages, or other measurable results if possible.]
- [Show how you contributed to the team or organization.]
PROJECTS (optional)
[Project Name]
- [Briefly explain the project, your role, the tools or technologies you used, and the outcome.]
- [Include measurable results if applicable.]
LEADERSHIP & CAMPUS INVOLVEMENT (optional)
[Position]
[Organization Name]
[Month Year]–[Month Year]
- [Describe your responsibilities or accomplishments.]
- [Include leadership experience, event planning, fundraising, mentoring, or other contributions.]
VOLUNTEER EXPERIENCE (optional)
[Position]
[Organization Name]
[Month Year]–[Month Year]
- [Describe your responsibilities and the impact of your work.]
- [Include any measurable achievements.]
SKILLS
- [List relevant technical skills like software, programming languages, lab techniques, design tools, etc.]
College resume examples for different situations
Our team of career experts has put together these college student resume examples to reference when writing your own:
College student resume for an internship
This example is specifically designed to target internship opportunities by highlighting relevant extracurricular activities and relevant coursework:
Sorority resume
The example below illustrates how to present your achievements in a way that appeals to recruitment committees.
College freshman resume
Review this example to see how to create a professional resume before you’ve built extensive work experience.
Resume for a college application
Use our college application resume example to guide you when writing your own resume.
Recent college graduate resume
Use our recent college graduate resume example as a reference to help you land that all-important first job after graduation.
Grad school resume
This example shows how to emphasize the coursework and experience that graduate admissions committees value.
Scholarship resume
Use our scholarship resume example as a guide to help you create a resume that’s sure to impress any scholarship panel.
Undergraduate resume
This undergraduate resume example shows how to effectively highlight your unique skills, achievements, and potential as a dedicated and capable employee.
How to write a college student resume
Employers know college students are still building their experience, but they still expect a polished, targeted resume. Follow these steps to highlight your potential and make a good first impression.
Expand your education section
As a college student, your education is one of your biggest qualifications, so your education section should take up more space than it would on an experienced professional’s resume. Instead of simply listing your school and degree, include details that demonstrate your knowledge and potential.
You should include the following details in your education section:
- University name
- Major and level of degree (i.e., Bachelor’s or Master’s)
- School location (city and state)
- Anticipated graduation date (month and year)
- Relevant coursework
- Your GPA (if it’s a 3.5 or above)
- Awards or honors
- Dean’s list (if received twice or more)
For example:
EDUCATION
State University of New York at Albany, Albany, New York
Bachelor of Arts in Political Science
Anticipated Graduation: May 20XX
GPA: 3.7/4.0
Dean’s List: Fall 20XX, Spring 20XX
Relevant coursework: American Government, Comparative Politics, International Relations, Constitutional Law, Political Theory, Research Methods
Awards:
- Outstanding Achievement in Political Science (Awarded Spring 20XX)
- Excellence in Research Award (Awarded Fall 20XX)
Explain your goals in your resume objective
Begin your resume with a 2–4 line resume objective that highlights your key skills and ends with a statement about your career goals.
Here are some examples:
Resourceful college student studying business administration and seeking an internship in marketing, sales, or operations. Strong written and verbal communication skills developed through coursework. Passionate about innovation and eager to apply academic concepts in a real-world setting.
Quick-learning college student majoring in computer science pursuing a software engineering internship. Experienced in Java, Python, and web development with a passion for technology. Seeking opportunities to build professional experience and contribute to dynamic projects.
Innovative college student studying graphic design interested in an internship at [Marketing or Design Firm Name]. Proficient in Adobe Creative Suite and skilled in developing visually engaging and cohesive designs. Eager to apply creative talents and gain industry experience.
Swap out “Work History” for “Relevant Experience”
While you may not have years of work experience, that doesn’t mean you don’t have relevant experience that employers will find valuable. Change the title of your work experience section from “Professional Experience” to “Relevant Experience.”
Then, fill it with experiences you can use to demonstrate job-specific skills, like:
- Volunteer work
- Internship experience
- Extracurricular activities
- Relevant coursework or projects
- Study abroad programs
For example:
RELEVANT EXPERIENCE
Software Engineering Intern
Bright Star Tech Solutions, New York, NY
May 20XX – August 20XX
- Collaborated with a team of developers to design and implement new features for a cloud-based enterprise software solution using Java and Spring Boot
- Participated in Agile development processes, including daily stand-ups, sprint planning, and retrospective meetings
- Optimized application performance by identifying and resolving bottlenecks, resulting in a 25% reduction in response times
- Wrote comprehensive unit tests and conducted code reviews, ensuring high code quality and adherence to best practices
E-commerce Web Development Project
Brooklyn College, Brooklyn, NY
September 20XX – December 20XX
- Designed and developed a fully functional e-commerce website using React.js, Node.js, and MongoDB, featuring secure payment integration and responsive design
- Implemented advanced features such as user authentication, shopping cart functionality, and order tracking
- Optimized website performance and conducted thorough testing, resulting in a seamless user experience and a 95% user satisfaction rate
Machine Learning Research Project
Brooklyn College, Brooklyn, NY
September 20XX – December 20XX
- Conducted research on deep learning techniques for image recognition and classification, using TensorFlow and Python
- Trained and optimized convolutional neural network models on a large-scale dataset, achieving an accuracy rate of 92%
- Presented research findings at the university’s annual computer science symposium, receiving positive feedback from faculty and peers
If you have a lot of one type of experience (like multiple volunteer roles or internships), you can put them in their own dedicated section, like this:
VOLUNTEER EXPERIENCE
Volunteer Tutor
Boys & Girls Club of America | Albany, NY
September 20XX–Present
- Tutored middle and high school students in math and English, helping improve academic performance and study habits
- Developed engaging lesson plans and one-on-one learning activities tailored to students’ individual needs
- Collaborated with staff and fellow volunteers to organize educational workshops and after-school programs
Food Pantry Volunteer
Regional Food Bank of Northeastern New York | Latham, NY
January 20XX–August 20XX
- Assisted with sorting, packing, and distributing food to more than 150 families each week
- Coordinated with volunteers to maintain an organized inventory and prepare donation shipments
- Provided friendly, respectful service to community members while supporting efficient daily operations
Customize your resume sections
Include job-relevant skills
Since many college students have limited work experience, highlighting the right mix of technical and transferable skills can help demonstrate that you’re ready to succeed.
Review the job description and include the skills the employer is looking for, especially those that appear multiple times.
Here’s an example of a skills section for a graphic design student:
SKILLS
- Photoshop
- Illustrator
- Blender
- Figma
- 3D modeling
- Motion graphics
You can also list any certifications you’ve completed through independent study, like this:
CERTIFICATIONS
- Adobe Certified Expert – Photoshop
August 20XX - Adobe Certified Expert – Illustrator
December 20XX - UX/UI Design Certification – Interaction Design Foundation
March 20XX - W3Schools Responsive Web Design Certification
May 20XX
Get started faster with a professionally designed student resume template that’s easy to customize for any opportunity.
About the Author
Lauren Mastroni is a Digital Content Writer at Resume Genius, where she creates data-driven career content and actionable job search advice. With a background in academic research, she brings a research-focused approach to topics like resume writing, interviewing, and career development. Lauren is dedicated to helping job seekers at all stages navigate the hiring process and present themselves more effectively to employers.
