Extracurricular Activities for a Resume and College Application: Dos and Don’ts
Resume and College Application Extracurricular Activities
Extracurriculars activities may not be the first thing that comes to mind when considering typical work experience, but they are essential for students and recent graduates building their resumes. Gaining work experience early on does not need to be a 9-to-5 job during high school or college; for most, that’s not feasible. Instead, extracurriculars can bridge the gap between school and the workforce. While it makes sense for students to focus on grades and GPA—because colleges do prioritize these things—they often become just one or two lines on a resume and may fade over time after graduation. However, not all extracurriculars are equally beneficial, and not all should be included on your resume or college application. So, what extracurricular activities should you participate in, and how do you put them on your resume and college application?
What Counts as an Extracurricular Activity and Which Should You Participate In?
What can count as an extracurricular activity is broad. Almost anything you do outside of the classroom can be considered an extracurricular, but not all of these activities are beneficial or impressive on your resume or college application. Some examples of useful extracurriculars include sports teams (recreational or competitive), volunteering, clubs, internships, and academic competitions. These can all be counted as relevant experience on a resume and can strengthen your college applications.
However, hobbies like knitting or hiking typically do not count. While these activities may be fun and can showcase your personality, they don’t effectively demonstrate your skills or how you could benefit a potential employer or college.
This doesn’t mean you have to give up your hobbies and passions to join the math club. Instead, consider turning them into something that can enhance your resume. For example, if you enjoy hiking and nature, you might join an eco club—or even better, start your own! If you like knitting or another craft, consider volunteering to teach a class at your school or local library, or starting a small business to sell your creations! Ultimately, it doesn’t matter what you choose to do, as long as you make it relevant for employers.
Related: Where Should I Put National Honor Society (NHS) in the Common App?
Want advice on extracurriculars for your applications and resume?
What Should You Say About Your Extracurriculars?
Now that you’ve joined a club or started a business, how do you describe these experiences? It’s not enough to simply list all the clubs and activities you’ve participated in; you need to explain to the hiring manager or admissions officer why those experiences were valuable and what you learned from them.
It may feel like your small business selling crochet items is irrelevant to the job you’re applying for, but it’s all about how you present it. First, identify key words and phrases. Starting your own business requires skills in innovation, leadership, and dedication. On your resume, you should list each skill in its own bullet point. For example: "Learned to be innovative and think outside the box to start and maintain business." Your college application will ask for a description of the activity or role, so it will look a bit different than bullet points on a resume. Aim to provide a brief description in about 2-3 sentences, depending on the specified length. A short description might look like this: "In ninth grade, I started my own business selling handmade crochet items and launched a small shop online. I learned to be innovative and dedicated, identifying problems and developing solutions." This tells whoever is reading your resume or college application that you’re driven, creative, and possess skills that will translate to a job or coursework!
How Many Extracurricular Activities Should I Participate in?
While it’s important to include extracurricular activities on your resume and college application, this doesn’t mean you should join every single club at your school or start five businesses or projects. Having too many extracurriculars can signal to the hiring manager or admissions officer that you weren’t truly engaged in them, or that you never even participated at all. Whoever is reading your application will understand that you don’t have time for everything—and that’s okay! The goal is to demonstrate that you were active in your community and productive during your time outside of school.
However, there is such a thing as having too few activities. If all you’ve done is join the art club, that’s unlikely to impress anyone. The best way to ensure you have a balanced number of extracurriculars is to engage in what you can manage. Challenge yourself, but be careful not to overextend; your extracurriculars shouldn’t impact your grades. Aim to have 2-3 activities outside of school. For example, if you’re on the lacrosse team all four years of high school, try joining a club for one semester and a different one the next. If you’re involved in just one organization or club, stick with it, but consider starting a new one during any spare time you have.
Do's and Don'ts
Do:
- Participate in extracurriculars in high school and college.
- Include them on your job resume and college application.
- Participate in things you're passionate about!
- Find ways to show how they are relevant to the job or college you are applying to.
- Participate in 2-3 activities at a time.
Don’t:
- Include hobbies on your application.
- Participate in too many or too few.
- Overextend yourself!
- Sweat it, you’ve got this!
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