Résumé Writing for REU Students
RÉSUMÉ OR CV?
Application instructions for a particular position often will state whether a CV or résumé is requested. A résumé is a concise introduction of your experiences and skills as they relate to a particular work position. In contrast, a CV gives a detailed overview of your accomplishments, especially those related to the realm of academia and research (read more about the differences). For graduate school or scholarship applications, create a CV and include your presentations, abstracts, and publications.
ORGANIZE WITH WORK EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS
Highlight elements of your REU experience in your résumé or CV according to the style of your résumé or CV. Two styles are presented here.
Include your REU work experience
Itemize your skills and accomplishments from the REU under the specific work experience. Use active verbs in a consistent verb tense for bullet-points. Here is an example:
Research Internships
June 2014 - SOARS Academy Internship at UCAR Boulder, Colorado
- Conducted study on “Analysis of Radar-Derived Cloud Reflectivity from a Low Pressure System in June 2014 over Boulder, Colorado.”
- Measured storm cloud reflectivity using radar with the Center for Severe Weather Research
- Analyzed radar data using SOLOII, C++, & conducted statistical analyses on data
- Gave a team oral presentation to a scientific audience at UCAR, Boulder, CO
- Prepared and presented a poster at the AMS student conference in Phoenix, 2015
- Communicated professionally with colleagues to complete research and scientific poster
Include all the skills that you learned in the REU
List your skills and accomplishments from the REU under difference categories, for instance:
Research Experiences
June 2014 - SOARS Academy Internship at UCAR Boulder, Colorado
- Measured storm cloud reflectivity using Doppler radar with student team, analyzed and plotted data, and presented results at AMS conference in 2015
Computer Skills
- Used SOLOII software on a Mac platform to display and analyze radar data
- Programmed in C++ to manage data and libraries
- Conducted statistical analyses using Excel
Technical Skills
- Collected data using the Doppler-on-Wheels 7 RADAR
- Launched a weather balloon and radiosonde at NCAR, Boulder, CO
- (List other technical skills obtained in your coursework or jobs)
Communication Skills
- Gave a team oral presentation to a scientific audience at UCAR, Boulder, CO
- Prepared and presented a poster at the AMS student conference in Phoenix, 2015
Leadership Skills
- Worked effectively with team to analyze and present data under extreme time constraints
- Communicated professionally to complete research and prepare scientific poster
- Presented on internship and research experience at home institution
* Consider fleshing out these sections above with skills gained in your courses, jobs, and extra-curricular activities.
Presentations
Layne, J., J.W. Evonosky, and R.V. Martes. 2014. Analysis of Radar-Derived Cloud Reflectivity from a Low Pressure System in June over Boulder, Colorado. SOARS Academy Symposium, June 17, UCAR, Boulder, CO.
Conference Proceedings
Evonosky, J.W., J. Layne, and R.V. Martes. 2014. Analysis of Radar-Derived Cloud Reflectivity from a Low Pressure System in June over Boulder, Colorado. 14th Annual Student Conference, Phoenix, AZ, American Meteorological Society, [Available online at https://ams.confex.com/ams/95Annual/webprogram/Paper270884.html]
ADDITIONAL SUGGESTIONS
- Remember to include informal leadership activities, such as: organizing a seminar on graduate school for the undergraduate students in your department, organizing a group to work for Habitat for Humanity for a day, or tutoring high school students in math and science.
- Check the web for advice on and examples of résumés or CVs.
- Be sure to have someone like a professor, career counselor, or other professional (an engineer, teacher, etc.) to review and edit your document.