STEM Sparks June 2026
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Unlocking the Resume: Helping High School Students Build Their First Resume
Brought to you by Landed
One of the most common responses teachers hear when assigning a resume is:
“I don’t have anything to put on a resume.”
In reality, most high school students already have many experiences and accomplishments that belong on a resume. They simply have not learned how to recognize or describe them yet.
Teachers play a critical role in helping students identify, translate, and showcase these experiences.
Helping Students Recognize What Counts as Experience
Students often believe that resumes are only for paid jobs. However, resumes can include many types of experiences, such as:
School Activities
- Clubs and organizations
- Sports teams
- Academic teams
- Band, choir, or theater
- Student government
Academic Work
- Major class projects
- Research assignments
- Presentations
- Capstone projects
Leadership Roles
- Team captain
- Club officer
- Peer mentor or tutor
- Group project leader
Volunteer Work
- Community service projects
- Church or youth group activities
- Nonprofit volunteering
Personal Responsibilities
- Babysitting
- Helping with family businesses
- Yard work or household responsibilities
- Caring for siblings or relatives
Helping students understand that these experiences build transferable skills—such as teamwork, leadership, communication, and problem-solving—makes resume building more accessible.
Strategies Teachers Can Use in the Classroom
Teachers can help students build stronger resumes by:
1. Encouraging Reflection
Ask students questions such as:
- What projects are you most proud of?
- Have you helped organize or lead anything?
- What problems have you solved in class?
- What responsibilities do you have outside school?
2. Connecting Classwork to Career Skills
Help students translate assignments into resume language.
Example:
Instead of saying:
“I did a history project.”
Students can write:
Conducted research and presented findings on historical events using digital presentation tools.
3. Reinforcing Skill Development
Highlight the skills students develop through their coursework, such as:
- Critical thinking
- Communication
- Collaboration
- Time management
- Digital literacy
The Goal
The goal is not just to produce a resume for one assignment, but to help students:
- Recognize their strengths
- Document their growth
- Communicate their experiences effectively
This STEM Sparks article was shared by Landed, a college and career planning platform designed to build confidence and foster dreams and curiosity in students. This article reflects the perspective of the organization.
For more information about Landed, go to https://www.landed.us/
