Help!!!!! Extraccuriculars on Resume for Internship?

Applying to College
1

I actually just made an account just to ask this so please answer seriously. I am a sophomore applying for a STEM internship this summer and the program application requires a resume with a list of my activities. I am interested in going into the med field (possibly pharmacy) so I want to do a science related research project and they ask that I demonstrate a strong interest in science. I’m not really sure what to put on my resume though because I’ve never had a job before (but I am planning to get one this summer) and I don’t think my extracurriculars are strong enough. Here’s basically a summary of my extracurriculars:
-Executive Youth Advisory Board Member (I volunteer for events in the community)
-Volunteer to tutor (but its part of the Executive Youth Advisory Board activities)
-Volunteer at a nursing home every week
-Newspaper Club Writer
-HOSA member (I haven’t qualified for any competitions though)
-Volunteer at local hospital
-Violin 5 years and part of orchestra outside school (auditioned)
-Lastly, I run a program at my local library to teach STEM classes to children. I am the main teacher and coordinater and I have been volunteering for 4 years but I took over the program last year. I plan the classes, prepare the materials, and teach them to children. Although we do teach tech related classes, the ones I enjoy teaching the most are the science related classes and I also love interacting with the kids. This is honestly the one activity I am proud of.

I don’t have any awards besides Honors student. I have been playing violin for 5 years but I don’t have anything to show for it. I played in my school’s orchestra in middle school but I couldn’t continue later because my high school did not have a music program (I go to a very competitive magnet science high school where we don’t have as many opportunities and are very focused on science related activities). I’m not even that good at science and I don’t think I would win any competitions.

Are you supposed to put any standardized test scores on a resume like AP or SAT Subject tests? I honestly don’t think I could put that either because I took AP bio as a freshman last year (self studied) and got a 3 which isn’t very good. This year I am retaking it though because I wasn’t as serious last year. I also took sat bio but i only got a 620 because I wasn’t feeling well that day. (also retaking).Although it might not show through my scores, I love science but I’m just a terrible test taker

As for skills, I do know how to 3D print and I teach classes at the program I teach. Because, I go to a science magnet school I take science related college credited classes and I learn things people at other schools might not know but I’m not sure I can put it on a resume. These include aseptic technique, bacterial plating and identification, gram staining, micropipetting, DNA gel electrophoresis, centrifuging, PCR, EKG analysis, vital signs, elisa analysis (laboratory skills) ect.

I really want to get this internship opportunity, not because I want it to look good on anything, but because I am interested in doing research and getting a feel for what working as a professional is like. I don’t have any awards, competitions, or amazing science related extracurriculars like everyone else does so I’m very worried. Please tell me what else I should include in a resume and if you think I have a chance of getting in. Other suggestions are welcome but please answer seriously.

2

I think you have an excellent resume indeed.

Google “student resumes” or something similar. It should bring you to some excellent templates.

Best to keep to one page.

Basic format:

— Name address phone email. Centered on the page.

              Julie Smith
      1 smith road Jones,RI
            401 535 5555
      NASAorbust@gmail.com

Objective;
“To demonstrate my commitment to the pursuit of educational opportunities in the sciences…”

Education:

Jones High School, Jones, RI.
Sophomore, 3.7 gpa. High honors. Completed AP BIo, Honors Earth Science
PSAT 1480. 780 math

— EC/Awards name. Listed By Dates participated or received, most recent goes first.
And a really brief description. (Highlight any science components)

“March, 2019, Science Fair, 1st place ribbon.

Competed in a group of 100 science students. Project focusing on gamma rays and health outcomes.”

And so on

But use a template and it will be fine.

Good luck!

3

What else is on the application? Do they just ask for a resume, or is there a section for your transcript, recommendation letters, etc? If not, I would list the STEM classes you’ve taken along with your GPA.

Definitely list extracurriculars! That’s what they’re looking for; they know you’re too young to have had other jobs. Maybe combine the first two (skip orchestra, it’s not relevant here) and then put the rest down, with explanations and hours/week if possible. Use active verbs. Show your passion for tutoring and teaching.

Make another section after that called “scientific skills” or something and write what you listed above, as long as you’re sure you can do them. Leave out centrifuging, micropipetting, and aseptic technique but put the rest! Try to make it coherent – for instance, combine gram staining with bacterial plating, and make one paragraph each for biology skills (bacteria, electrophoresis, PCR), medical skills (EKG, vitals), and tech skills (3D printing, coding, Excel, etc.).

Emphasize that you go to a STEM school and take advanced classes. It gives you a big advantage over others your age. Trust me, other people are not winning awards or competitions, even if it seems like it on CC – they’re not looking for Einstein, just someone who wants to learn!

Don’t worry about making awards a separate section if you haven’t won any, just list “activities.”

4

They also asked for transcripts and recc letter from a science or math teacher. Even though they asked for transcripts do you think I should still put the classes I have taken on there? For my headers do you think it would be ok if I put education, activities, and skills? Thank you so much for your advice! I really appreciate it!

5

I would leave out the classes then, since they’re already on the transcript (unless you have one or two important ones). Those headers are fine; just put bullet points beneath it.

Since there’s no essay component, I would also consider including a short statement/paragraph at the beginning saying why you want this internship, etc. Other than that, keep it simple and avoid filler – they’d rather read a short, to-the-point resume than wallow through a long one. Avoid sounding too stuffy; use plain but engaging language.

Good luck – I think you have great chances! Keep us updated!! :slight_smile: