Academic Resume

Elmhurst College

Academic Diary

Academic Diary:

The purpose of an academic diary is to provide a convenient method to keep track of a series of college experiences. This is really just a listing of courses and a participation list of activities. Think of this as an amplification of your college transcript which is a a listing of course and the grades in chronological order. For the academic diary, you should group them into categories and describe them more fully. Each experience and skills acquired can be documented for future reference and reflection. As you near the end of your college experience, this should prove to be invaluable in constructing the professional resume and professional statement. Hopefully, you will update this at least twice a year or more.

As a starting point simply list the courses and other activities as you do them. Try to go back to the beginning of your college career. Give the course number and title and a one or two sentence description of the course or other activities. This is a good place to write short impact statements which highlight the Dimensions and Skills. The purpose is to reflect upon, list, highlight, and remember your newly acquired skills and insights.

Professional Resume:

Your professional résumé is a concise summary of your goals and qualifications as you begin the job search. Since it is often your very first introduction to prospective employers, it will create a lasting first impression. You want the impression to be favorable enough to get a direct interview, and you don't want the impression to land your résumé - and any job opportunity - in the trash heap.

Many of the activities throughout this course have as the final objective, the production of a high quality resume that will help land that first job. The academic diary is one tool to help you construct this professional resume.

Example Academic Diary
Template for Academic Diary

Name Jane Doe

email jane123@elmhurst.edu

Professional Objective and Major
In this space list your major. Then add or or more statements about your professional career goals. Probably leave this fairly broad at this point.

General Education Courses
For each course: Give catalog number, name of course, short description (look in the college bulletin or write your own version), and several impact statements that highlight the skills and insights from the course.

Major and Related Courses
For each course: Give catalog number, name of course, short description (look in the college bulletin or write your own version), and several impact statements that highlight the skills and insights from the course.

Elective Courses
For each course: Give catalog number, name of course, short description (look in the college bulletin or write your own version), and several impact statements that highlight the skills and insights from the course.

Co-Curricular Activities
List a variety of activities from sports, drama, music, clubs, student boards, hall councils, etc. Again, give a short description, and several impact statements that highlight the skills and insights from the activity.

Community and Service
List a variety of activities from church, community groups, service to the community, and volunteer work. Again, give a short description, and several impact statements that highlight the skills and insights from the activity.

International Travel and/or Internships
List a variety of activities from travel (both domestic and international)courses, internships, mentorships, shadowing, part time work that relates to your major. Again, give a short description, and several impact statements that highlight the skills and insights from the activity.

Name	Jane Doe
email	jane123@elmhurst.edu
Professional Objective and Major	In this space list your major. Then add or or more statements about your professional career goals. Probably leave this fairly broad at this point.
General Education Courses	For each course: Give catalog number, name of course, short description (look in the college bulletin or write your own version), and several impact statements that highlight the skills and insights from the course.
Major and Related Courses	For each course: Give catalog number, name of course, short description (look in the college bulletin or write your own version), and several impact statements that highlight the skills and insights from the course.
Elective Courses	For each course: Give catalog number, name of course, short description (look in the college bulletin or write your own version), and several impact statements that highlight the skills and insights from the course.
Co-Curricular Activities	List a variety of activities from sports, drama, music, clubs, student boards, hall councils, etc. Again, give a short description, and several impact statements that highlight the skills and insights from the activity.
Community and Service	List a variety of activities from church, community groups, service to the community, and volunteer work. Again, give a short description, and several impact statements that highlight the skills and insights from the activity.
International Travel and/or Internships	List a variety of activities from travel (both domestic and international)courses, internships, mentorships, shadowing, part time work that relates to your major. Again, give a short description, and several impact statements that highlight the skills and insights from the activity.