Skills develop form experience which is why most hiring managers prefer candidates having the most experience in the field. When it comes to creating a resume, candidates often miss the mention of certain experiences that could actually help them win over the employer. Why don’t people understand that experience isn’t merely confined to paid work? You can in fact, mention any form of relevant co-curricular activity or volunteer work in your resume. Including your past experiences along with the accomplishments that reflect your capabilities and potential can play a significant role in impressing the prospective employers. If you think for a while, there are several previous college/campus experiences that can be included in your resume to make it appear more appealing, such as,

1. Part-time jobs
2. Internship opportunities
3. Foreign study
4. Service-training
5. Research at the undergraduate level
6. Program councils/On-campus activities
7. Professional/Specialized organizations
8. Fraternities or Sororities
9. Community voluntary work
10. Club sports
11. Band or choir
12. Student magazine or radio
13. Resident aides or community advisory services
14. Admissions delegates
15. Orientation supervisors
16. Teachers or tutors
17. Theater/Drama
18. Student government organizations
19. Honor society
20. Planning committee for homecoming

You may consider contacting the career center at your campus to determine the particular opportunities that are associated with your career objectives. For instance, in case you’re a major in education, you need to get information regarding employment opportunities at the daycare center of your campus. Apart from these opportunities, the staff members can also let you identify summer jobs or internships in the particular area.

If you’re still doubtful whether you need to link your influential educational history with engagement and training outside your classroom, here are the top 10 advantages of listing the experiences that’ll help you land a conclusion.

First thing is first. Being specific about your major and professional motives is as important as test driving a car you intend to purchase. By getting engaged in co-curricular activities and internships, you get a chance of testing reality and analyzing the fit of a variety of tasks. This eventually reduces the threat that you’ll be displeased with the planned career once graduated. Moreover, gaining extensive transferrable capabilities can prove to be highly beneficial. Although most of these programs are held outside the boundary of your classroom, these hold great importance from the educational perspective. Besides, educational institutions are now making use of the word “co-curricular” instead of “extra-curricular” to define such experiences since they have a direct relation with the institution’s main aim. They aren’t just optional but they are vital. They are essential in developing time management, leadership, collaboration, communication, and additional required skills.

These skills are highly valued by employers. According to the recent NACE’S survey, employers acknowledged communication, collaborative work and interpersonal capabilities as certain top abilities they seek in fresh grads. These are accurately the capabilities that are designed through several co-curricular activities. Furthermore, these experiences are valued by graduate institutions as well. Apart from reflecting the candidate’s potential to excel in the field, these activities further improve the candidate’s performance in a graduate institute’s interview or individual statement. You’ll have to communicate your motives to opt for a specific career field. Participation in co-curricular activities allows you to preview a professional field that will provide evidence of your attention and commitment in that area.

Remember, these experiences should be properly documented in your resume. “Effective interview response” is yet another benefit of these experiences. Most interviews are intended to test the candidate’s behavioral skills and the candidate is usually required to recognize past experience, with the supposition that the previous behavior will reflect the applicant’s performance in the future. When such questions are asked during an interview, the candidate may draw upon his/her co-curricular activities/experiences.

Involvement in co-curricular activities also offers experiences that can be brought back to the classroom. This hands-on, convenient experience should be utilized to implement the theories and values being learned. This surely will ensure your educational success; enhancing your engagement in classroom conversations and making studies more fun at the same time.

By plunging into activities, you can build a strong network. Co-curricular involvement, mainly internships, offers a chance to build connections with experienced individuals in the career and reflect your ability. In accordance to the National Association of College and Employers, sixty-six percent of inters were given full-time job in 2007. Although a permanent job position is not obtainable, you can still inform the supervisors about your career objectives who can network in your place.

Recent studies have revealed that students participating in co-curricular programs have increased chances of getting enrolled in the institute and eventually graduate. And the best part is that these activities let you enjoy, reduce stress, and develop long-term relationships.