Discussion Thread

  • 1.  Putting your extracurricular activities to work on your resume

    Posted 02-23-2020 05:37 PM
    Especially for those early in college, I highly recommend getting involved in extracurriculars as early as possible. These activities aid in your development as an engineer as they can help you gain leadership experience and even project management skills. When looking for your first job, including these activities on your resume will help you stand out.  My involvement in ASCE has been on my resume since my freshman year and was a great topic during interviews. I would love to hear your stories below! 

    Also, for those interested in getting their resume reviewed, check out the following article about ASCE's First-ever Resume Workshop: https://news.asce.org/crafting-the-perfect-civil-engineering-resume/

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    Danielle Schroeder EIT, A.M.ASCE
    Associate Engineer
    Pennoni Associates
    Philadelphia PA
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  • 2.  RE: Putting your extracurricular activities to work on your resume

    Posted 02-24-2020 01:09 PM
    My involvement with the whitewater kayak club at my university was huge in my personal development. During my time as club president I planned many overnight trips on challenging whitewater (III-IV) with groups of college aged kayakers and rafters. Planning these trips was a huge undertaking that many people do not get the chance to do. While many of the skills I picked up during this time were focused on whitewater specifically (paddling, rescue, navigation, etc...), I learned a lot about planning and team leading in this setting that I think I have been able to carry over into the professional world. To add to Danielle's experience with ASCE, even extra-curriculars that at first don't appear directly related to career development (like whitewater kayaking) can lead to personal growth that turns students into well rounded adults. So my encouragement would be for students to latch onto any activity that gives them fulfillment and pursue it. 

    As far as the resume is concerned, I did have this experience on my resume for the first few years out of school. My first boss out of school told me he made the call to set up my interview in part because he saw my kayak club experience and knew that I would be able to bring something to the job that others might not. So these activities can set candidates apart. 

    On the other side of the coin, I've reviewed resumes that list facebook and reddit as extracurricular activities and I would not advise that... So make sure the activity actually adds value to a resume.

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    Nicholas Martin Aff.M.ASCE
    Englewood CO
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    Original Message


  • 3.  RE: Putting your extracurricular activities to work on your resume

    Posted 02-25-2020 02:00 PM
    I participated in a talent show during my years in the community college. We had a group of 10 members that practiced salsa dancing every other day and we got second place in one of the talent shows. I remembered the excitement of dancing in the stage and hearing the people's shouts and applause at the end. Moving forward a bit, I started attending the ASCE student chapter meetings once I transferred to the university to complete my civil engineering degree. I felt in love with the organization and the people. I got encouraged to apply as one of the concrete canoe captains for my last year. That decision gave me the most amazing personal development experience I could have received from my years in school. I learned about project management, team management, budgets, networking and sponsorships, and leadership. I didn't expect I was going to learn so much from that experience but I am happy I applied. 

    In regards to the resume, I always recommend putting your extracurriculars involvement, especially if you are an active member and participate in the activities. Another recommendation to an early student in college is not to be afraid to apply for a position. You will learn a lot and hopefully, you will want to come back for more.

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    Julian Valencia A.M.ASCE
    Project Engineer
    Houston, TX
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    Original Message


  • 4.  RE: Putting your extracurricular activities to work on your resume

    Posted 02-27-2020 01:48 PM
    I wouldn't discount putting down internet activities on a resume as long as it doesn't go down a questionable rabbit-hole. Case-in-point was a temp worker in our office that didn't have experience doing computer drafting work. In a conversation with him, he mentioned a deep interest in an online mapping forum group in which he participates. He creates maps of his travels in google maps and is very good at using GIS tools. This is definitely worth adding to a resume. If someone is an active moderator or administrator of an online forum related to civil engineering then it would be worth mentioning especially if they help to build that community.

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    Yance Marti P.E., M.ASCE
    Civil Engineer IV
    City of Milwaukee
    Milwaukee WI
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    Original Message


  • 5.  RE: Putting your extracurricular activities to work on your resume

    Posted 03-13-2020 04:23 PM
    These are all great examples! Thank you for sharing.

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    Danielle Schroeder EIT, A.M.ASCE
    Associate Engineer
    Pennoni Associates
    Philadelphia PA
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    Original Message


  • 6.  RE: Putting your extracurricular activities to work on your resume

    Posted 03-13-2020 04:46 PM
    Thank you, Danielle, for bringing this topic. 

    Like myself, I was chosen for one of my internships opportunities in an engineering center because I was an active member of the ASCE Chapter at the University of Jordan as we created an internship program where our public relations team would contact firms for opportunities. 

    After graduation, I created a resume that is more focused on my Experiences as a civil engineering intern but out of space reason, I feel that I am not giving my ASCE Experience as a board member much of importance. 

    If the people seeing this can share with us also how to mention such activities in our resumes, especially as fresh graduates. And is mentioning the positions is enough or the actual activity that I took part in should be included too which are too many. 

    On the other hand, I always encourage people of curiosity to join student chapters and make the best out of their 4-5 years' time in college. It doesn't only give the skills but also gives you a chance to network and meet people from the profession. 

    My resume is uploaded on the resume workshop so I would appreciate anyone giving it a look ;) 

    Regards

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    Hala Abdo A.M.ASCE
    Centreville VA
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    Original Message


  • 7.  RE: Putting your extracurricular activities to work on your resume

    Posted 03-21-2020 05:57 AM
    I used to be a VFX artist for movies.
    I also used to do football analytics, test board games, and protect celebrities.

    In community college, I helped out on research on super massive black holes and multiferroics.

    None have them have much to do with civil engineering, but they definitely helped when I needed to look for internships.

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    Maxx Taga EIT,A.M.ASCE
    Student/Intern
    Glendale CA
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    Original Message


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