Get Experience

Build Up Your Resume

Now that you know teaching is the right fit, it’s time to start building your resume. Early field experience and student teaching will be critical components of your learning. But it’s also important to take advantage of the many opportunities on and off campus that will set you apart from other candidates during your job search.

Kinds of Experience Employers Look For

• Working with children
• Leadership opportunities
• Working with diverse populations

Here are some suggestions for building your resume:

• Join student organizations and pursue leadership positions. There are over 750 student organizations on campus.
• View our professional development calendar and more workshops in Handshake.
• Find local volunteer opportunities at the Bloomington Volunteer Network.
• Review the Education Career Guide to find more experiential opportunities.
• Search Handshake for internships and part-time professional opportunities, but also learn about ways to protect yourself from fraudulent jobs and scams.
• Gain classroom experience by substitute teaching for Monroe County Community School Corporation, Richland-Bean Blossom Community School Corp., North Lawrence Community Schools, Brown County Schools, or Seven Oaks Classical School.
• Work in local before/after school programs, such as the RBBCSC Latch Key Program.
• Gain experience working with kids as a tutor, sitter, or caregiver via Care.com.
• Consider participating in Global Gateway for Teachers to gain cultural immersion experience.
• Consider adding a minor, license addition, or language classes to make you even more marketable.

Start Building Your Resume Now!

Keep a master version that lists your work and volunteer experience up to this point. From there, we can help you tailor it for future job applications.

• Make an appointment with one of our advisors to make sure your resume is polished and ready.
• Attend one of our resume workshops.
• Upload your resume to your Handshake, which will allow one of our advisors to provide feedback and suggestions. Note that all students must have an approved resume uploaded by early March to be invited to register for Interview Day.
• Look through our Resume Guide to help you draft your resume.

Feel like you are ready to enter the professional world?

Most of your undergrad is about getting a mixture of learning and working experience. Once you’ve built up a well-rounded resume, you’re ready to enter the job search process!