Class 18

How My Career Management Class Helped Me Perfect My Resume — And Why It Matters Right Now

As a student actively applying for internships, one of the most empowering things I’ve done this semester is take this class. This Career Management module wasn’t just a class. It became a toolkit, a support system, and honestly, a huge confidence booster.

Before the class, I had a resume… but I wasn’t really sure if it was "good." I mean, sure, it had the basics: name, contact info, a few job roles I’ve had, and some skills. But it didn’t feel powerful. It didn’t feel me. And it definitely wasn’t tailored to stand out to actual hiring managers—let alone the robots that scan resumes before humans even see them.

Turning a Blank Page Into a Professional Brand

The class walked us through everything. I learned the differences between a resume and a CV, when to use each, and how to make my documents not just accurate—but strategic. One of the biggest game changers for me was understanding the different resume formats: chronological, functional, and combination. I chose the combination style because it lets me highlight both my skills and my experience, which is especially helpful as someone who is still building out a professional portfolio through internships.

We discussed the importance of including a summary statement—a few powerful lines at the top of your resume that quickly tell a recruiter who you are, what you’re good at, and what you’re aiming for. This little section was one of the hardest for me to write, but also the most rewarding. Crafting it made me reflect on my goals and put into words the energy I want to bring to a job.

We also explored how to present hard and soft skills—something I hadn’t thought much about before. I used to just list things like “communication” and “teamwork,” but now I know how to add context. Instead of saying I’m a good communicator, I can describe how I led a project team or created social content that boosted engagement by 20%. That shift—from vague to measurable—makes all the difference.

The Power of Tailoring

One of the biggest takeaways was this: your resume should never be one-size-fits-all. We learned how to read a job description and pick out key skills and keywords that should appear on your resume. We practiced using tools like Jobscan and SkillSyncer to test how well our resumes matched specific job listings. It felt a little intense at first, but honestly, it was so satisfying to see my match score go up after a few smart edits.

This class made it clear: if you want to land an internship—or any job—you can’t just tell a company “this is me.” You have to show them, “this is how I fit your needs.”

Applying What I’ve Learned—Literally

Right now, I’m in the middle of applying for internships in digital marketing, communications, and brand strategy. And I can’t even express how much better I feel sending out my resume now. I like how it looks. I know it’s aligned with the roles I’m targeting. And every time I hit “submit,” I’m not cringing or second-guessing—I’m excited.

The class also covered how to write a killer cover letter—another part of the process I used to dread. Now, I treat it like a personal pitch: a chance to explain what I bring to the table and why I care about the role or company. We even explored video resumes, which I might try soon for some of the more creative roles I’m going after.

More Than a Grade—A Career Asset

What surprised me most about this course is how much it felt like real-life prep, not just schoolwork. We weren’t writing papers or taking tests. We were building real tools that we’ll use for the rest of our professional lives.

And while yes, I’ve submitted assignments and earned a grade, the true value is something deeper: clarity. I have a clearer sense of who I am professionally, what I offer, and how to communicate that in a competitive job market.

I’m so grateful I took the time to really polish my resume. It’s not just a document—it’s a reflection of everything I’ve worked toward so far, and a signal to future employers that I’m ready to grow, learn, and bring value to their teams.

Final Thoughts

If you're a student or early-career professional, don’t sleep on resume work. Take the time. Take the class. Invest in learning how to tell your story on paper. Because when opportunity knocks—and it will—you’ll want your resume to be ready to open the door.

And to anyone hiring interns out there: check your inbox. You just might find my name in there soon—with a resume I’m genuinely proud of.