Building Your Athletic Resume

In high school you hear people all the time saying “Oh, that would be great on your resume”. For student athletes, it’s tough to add more activities outside of academics and your sport. However, making the effort to give back outside of these two commitments can really boost your resume as well as make you feel fulfilled and successful, not to mention help others! I would recommend committing to a volunteer group or club at
school that you feel passionate about. Does your church do mission trips that don’t interfere with your season? Are you passionate about the environment and your school has a Sustainability club? These activities bring balance into your schedule and give you an opportunity to give back to your community. Being involved in clubs or volunteer groups also shows that you are a leader outside of school and off the field.

Of course, as an athlete, it can be difficult to make time for countless other opportunities. When writing your resume think about the langauge you use and feel free to use athletic accomplishments to show your level of commitment, leadership, or hard work. You can include a section for Athletic Achievements or add to your Extra Curriculars by including things like “Newcomer of the year by the Sunset League in 2012″ or “Four time Player of the Week in the Horizon League”.  In your resume make sure to always use action verbs. For example:

Leadership Experience

Highland Park High School Women’s Lacrosse Team, Captain 2011-2012

• Lead the varsity team to a State Championship
• Dedicated 8 extra hours a week to plan team events and review goals with coaches

Building your resume can be challenging, highlighting your participation in events that  make you stand out and using the correct language will make your resume stronger. I encourage you to think about your volunteer and club opportunities this school year. Giving back is an important aspect in becoming an Athleader and continually learning and helping others. Your sport is a vehicle for success in and after college, and volunteering can be a great way to stand out to college coaches, administrators, and even potential employers.