When you’re a student, it’s important to find ways to develop your skills and enhance your CV, while enjoying student life. Extracurricular activities are a great opportunity to learn new skills, grow personally, and stand out to employers.
In this article, we provide you with a complete guide to extracurricular activities, with concrete examples and tips to help you achieve these goals.
1. Student unions
Join the Student Association It is a great way to develop project management, leadership and teamwork skills. Here are some examples of associations and the roles they can fill:
BDE (Student Office): Event organizer, communications manager, treasurer, etc.
Humanitarian Society: fundraising, organizing solidarity trips, raising awareness of humanitarian issues, etc.
Theater Club: actor, director, technician, etc.
Tip: To maximize the impact on your CV, choose a role or responsibility that allows you to develop specific skills related to your field of study or future career.
2. Volunteer work
the Volunteering It is an extracurricular activity that allows you to develop transferable skills while contributing to a cause close to your heart. Here are some ideas for volunteer projects:
Food aid: distributing meals to those in need
School Support: Homework help for students who are having difficulties
Environmental protection: cleaning beaches or forests, participating in reforestation projects, etc.
Tip: Highlight the skills you developed during your volunteer experiences on your CV, and present them as transferable skills.
3. Sports
Playing team or individual sports It can have many benefits Among them is helping to develop discipline, endurance and the ability to work within a team. Here are some ideas for exercise that might be interesting to mention to your employer:
Team sports: football, basketball, rugby, etc.
Individual sports: swimming, running, cycling, and others.
Martial arts: judo, karate, boxing, etc.
Tip: Mention your sporting performance (competitions and levels achieved) in your CV to show your commitment and determination.
4. Teaching and guidance
By offering your help as a teacher or mentor, you can develop communication, teaching and empathy skills. Here are some ideas to get started:
Providing private lessons On a subject you master
Be a mentor for younger students or high school students looking for guidance
Participate in teaching programs online or via custom applications
Tip: Highlight your students’ successes (improved grades, passed exams) to show the impact of your support on your CV.
5. Training and student jobs
the Training And the Student jobs Excellent opportunities to gain professional experience and develop skills related to your field of study. Here are some examples of student jobs to enrich your resume:
Administrative Assistant: Develop skills in time management, organization, and communication
In-Store Sales Representative: Improve sales, customer relations, and inventory management skills
Restaurant Waiter: Learn how to manage stress, work as a team, and meet customer expectations
Tip: Tailor your CV and cover letter to the position you are targeting, highlighting skills acquired during your previous student experiences.
6. Foreign languages and travel
Learning a new language and traveling abroad exposes you to new cultures and helps you develop cross-cultural communication skills. Here are some ideas to enrich your CV:
University exchange programs (ErasmusFor example: studying at a foreign university and discovering new ways of learning
Language Stays: Combining learning a language and discovering a new culture
International volunteering: participating in development or educational projects abroad
Tip: Tag yours Level of proficiency in foreign languages On your CV according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) to make it easier for employers to understand your level.
In summary
Extracurricular activities are a great way to develop transferable skills and boost your CV while enjoying student life. By participating in associations, volunteer work, sports, tutoring, internships or student jobs, you will be able to gain valuable skills and stand out in the job market. Don’t forget to highlight these experiences and skills on your CV and in your cover letters to maximize your chances of landing the job or training of your dreams. Search elsewhere Our advice for enhancing these skills on your CV !
For more tips on student life and job hunting, check out our Studentjob platform blog, and discover job offers, internships and work-study programs adapted to your profile.