CV Examples for Students (Templates & Tips)
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Student CV Sample (Text Version)
Julie Adams
Boston, MA 02215
(555) 555-5555
example@example.com
Career Objective
Dedicated and detail-oriented journalism undergraduate with hands-on experience in reporting, editing and multimedia production. Known for producing in-depth stories with measurable impacts, such as increasing online readership by 25% over six months. Recognized for strong research skills, attention to accuracy and the ability to engage diverse audiences. Seeking opportunities to further develop reporting skills in dynamic media environments.
Core Qualifications
- News writing and reporting
- Video editing and production
- Social media strategy
- Fact-checking and research
- Interview techniques
- Data visualization
- AP Style proficiency
- Time management
Education
Expected in June 2025
Boston University Boston, MA
Bachelor of Arts Journalism
- GPA: 3.8
- Relevant Coursework: Investigative Journalism, Multimedia Storytelling, Media Ethics, Advanced Reporting, Digital Journalism
- Special Project: “Journalism and Crisis Reporting,” analyzing best practices, including accuracy, sensitivity and journalist safety.
Work Experience
October 2023 – Current
Campus News Publication – Boston, MA
Student Journalist
- Write over 40 articles covering campus news, local events and student perspectives, increasing readership by 20%.
- Conduct and transcribe interviews with over 40 students and faculty members to provide diverse viewpoints.
- Enhance social media engagement by 30% through targeted article promotion and multimedia integration.
September 2023 – December 2023
Metro Boston – Boston, MA
Editorial Intern
- Collaborated with a team that published weekly editions, contributing over 15 articles that increased website traffic by 10%.
- Researched, fact-checked, and edited submissions to maintain a 98% error-free publication rate.
- Developed social media posts that grew online follower count by 12% over a three months.
January 2023 – May 2023
Boston University – Boston, MA
Research Assistant
- Assisted with background research, data collection and analysis for an investigation series on housing costs.
- Compiled data reports that contributed to a 50% rise in article shares and readership.
- Created infographics that visually communicated key findings, improving reader comprehension by 35%.
Volunteer Experience
Event Assistant, Community Food Bank
Supported event planning and coordination for annual food drives, including setting up venues, registering participants and distributing supplies, contributing to a record collection of 5,000 pounds of food for families in need.
Content Writer, Environmental Awareness Group
Wrote articles and blog posts about sustainability and environmental issues for the organization’s website, which boosted readership by 15% and raised awareness on key community topics.
Conference Presentations
- “The Role of Journalism in Social Justice Movements” – (2024)
- “Engaging Gen Z Through Digital Storytelling” – (2023)
- “The Future of Journalism in the Digital Age” – (2022)
Conference Attendance
- Boston University Power of Narrative Conference – (2024)
- Emerging Media Studies – (2024)
- New England Newspaper & Press Association (NENPA) Annual Conference – (2023)
- Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ) Regional Conference – (2023)
- Boston Media Makers – (2022)
- Harvard Media and Politics Seminar Series – (2022)
Honors and Awards
- Excellence in Investigative Reporting – For outstanding coverage of ‘Media Literacy and Fake News’ – (2024)
- Dean’s List, Boston University – (2022 – Current)
- Outstanding Digital Storytelling Award Finalist: ‘Mental Health and University Life’ – (2023)
- Best Feature Article, Boston University – (2022)
Professional Associations
- Member, University’s Journalism Club – (Current)
- Contributor, Campus Literary Magazine – (Current)
- Member, Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ) – (Current)
Certifications
- Certification in Digital Media – (2024)
- Completed Workshop in Advanced Multimedia Journalism – (2023)
- Certification in Social Media Strategy – (2023)
Hobbies and Interests
I enjoy photography and videography, capturing moments that convey the richness of human experience. I am an enthusiastic podcast listener and creator, drawn to audio as a powerful medium for narrative journalism and diverse voices. In my free time, I attend local cultural events and keep up with current affairs, always seeking new angles and insights for compelling stories.
Important CV Sections
Contact details
Create a section at the top of your CV for your contact information so that the recruiter or hiring manager can contact you to schedule an interview.
The standard way to display your contact information is as follows: Your full name, followed by your city, state and ZIP code, followed by your phone number and professional email address.
If you have a networking profile or professional website, add those last. See how to write a CV for additional examples and tips.
Personal statement
Include a professional summary at the top of your CV. This is a brief personal statement that introduces you to the hiring manager and showcases your top skills and qualifications.
Your student CV personal statement should feature job-relevant skills and one or two of your most notable academic or professional accomplishments. Here is an example:
Highly motivated psychology student with a proven record of research and academic excellence, including receiving the Dean’s List Award for three consecutive semesters. Experienced in conducting data analysis, literature reviews and presenting findings, as demonstrated in a recent research assistant role for a study on behavioral psychology. Recognized for strong attention to detail, analytical thinking and teamwork skills. Seeking an opportunity to apply research abilities and passion for understanding human behavior within a dynamic, research-driven environment.
In general, your personal statement should be no longer than five succinct sentences to grab the hiring manager’s attention.
Skills
Hiring managers want to know what skills you bring to the table. Create a separate section for your job-relevant skills and display them with bullet points.
Include a mixture of hard and soft skills to showcase the breadth of your abilities. Here are a few examples of skills that you might include on your student CV:
- Research and analysis
- Cross-team collaboration
- Critical thinking
- Project management
- Data analysis
- Customer service
- Leadership
- Creative thinking
- Attention to detail
If you are applying for your first job, include transferable skills such as communication, problem-solving or time management.
Work history
A strong work history section is essential for showcasing your skills, involvement and impact, even if you do not have traditional work experience yet.
This part of your CV can include internships, part-time jobs, volunteer roles, extracurricular activities or any projects that demonstrate your abilities and accomplishments.
List your experiences in reverse-chronological order, including the organization names, locations and dates you were involved.
For each entry, add three to five bullet points highlighting specific achievements or contributions. Aim to quantify your accomplishments where possible to give a clearer picture of your impact.
Here are a few examples of work history bullet points for a student CV:
- Organized a campus fundraiser that exceeded its target by 25%, coordinating efforts with a team of six volunteers and promoting the event through social media channels.
- Improved event attendance at university club meetings by 40% over one semester by implementing targeted outreach and enhancing event planning.
- Completed a research project analyzing social media engagement, leading to a 15% improvement in reach for a student organization’s online presence.
If this is your first job application or if you don’t have extensive work experience, focus on listing extracurricular activities, volunteer work, community service or personal projects.
Education
The education section is a key component of your CV that highlights your academic achievements, relevant coursework and any special projects that align with the role.
Begin with your most recent educational experience and work backward. Include the name of the institution, the location, the degree you’re pursuing and the expected graduation date.
Here are a few tips for crafting a strong student CV education section:
- If you’re applying for a role that’s closely related to your field of study, list some relevant courses that showcase your skills and knowledge.
- Mention any academic achievements, such as honors, scholarships or awards, that demonstrate your commitment to excellence.
- Include any significant academic projects or research that showcase your skills, particularly if they relate to the position you’re seeking.
Crafting a detailed, relevant education section allows employers to see your academic strengths and areas of expertise, even if you’re new to the professional world.
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Action Words for Your CV
Strong action verbs convey confidence and strengthen your CV, especially when combined with quantifiable achievements. Here are a few examples of a student CV:
- Research
- Lead
- Enhance
- Organize
- Achieve
- Coordinate
- Present
- Improve
- Develop
- Support
- Analyze
- Establish
- Resolve
- Manage
- Assist
- Streamline
- Conduct
Want more inspiration? We have hundreds of CV examples to help you visualize the ideal layout for your student CV.
Top Skills for Your CV
Review the job description carefully and match the required skills with your traits. Focus on interpersonal skills that are transferable to the role. Here are some examples:
- Communication
- Teamwork
- Conflict resolution
- Adaptability
- Active listening
- Collaboration
- Leadership
- Patience
- Flexibility
- Negotiation
- Persuasion
- Decision-making
Remember to also include technical skills that are relevant to the role you are applying for. Here are a few examples of technical skills:
- Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, PowerPoint)
- Data Analysis (e.g., Excel, SPSS, R, Python)
- Social Media Management (Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn)
- Graphic Design (Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, Canva)
- Coding/Programming (Java, Python, C++, HTML/CSS, JavaScript)
- Statistical Software (R, SAS, MATLAB)
- Project Management Tools (Asana, Trello, Monday.com)
- Video Editing (Adobe Premiere, Final Cut Pro)
- Database Management (SQL, MySQL, MongoDB)
- Customer Relationship Management (CRM) Software (Salesforce, HubSpot)
- Google Workspace (Docs, Sheets, Slides, Drive)
Certifications for Your CV
The certifications section of your student CV is an excellent way to demonstrate additional skills and knowledge beyond your formal education.
Including certifications shows potential employers that you’re proactive about learning and that you possess specific competencies that can add value to their organization.
For each certification, provide the name, the issuing organization and the completion date. If the certification is ongoing or needs periodic renewal, you can indicate that as well. For example:
- Google Analytics Certification, Google, Completed June 2023
- Fundamentals of Digital Marketing, Google, Completed April 2022
- CPR & First Aid Certification, American Red Cross, Valid until March 2025
If space permits, consider a brief bullet point under certain certifications to clarify the value or skills gained. This is particularly useful if the certification is highly relevant to the job.
Pair your CV with a matching cover letter
FAQ
What is a student CV?
A student CV (curriculum vitae) is a document that outlines your academic background, skills, experiences and achievements.
It is used when applying for internships, part-time jobs or academic opportunities, such as scholarships or research positions.
Unlike a traditional resume, which is typically one page and focused on work experience, a student CV can be longer and more detailed.
This is especially true if you have extensive academic or extracurricular accomplishments. The examples on this page are an excellent reference for the ideal student CV layout.
How do I write my first CV as a student?
Writing your first CV as a student is an excellent opportunity to organize and showcase your skills, experiences and accomplishments.
Here are a few tips on how to write a CV for a student:
- Keep it simple and clean: Use a clear, professional font (like Arial or Times New Roman) and standard font sizes (10-12 points).
- Include up-to-date contact information: At the top of your CV, include your name, phone number, email address and Bold.pro profile (if you have one).
- Include a personal statement: Write a brief statement that outlines your most relevant and impressive skills and accomplishments.
- Detail your education: List your school, degree, major and expected graduation date. You can also include relevant coursework, honors or GPA (if it’s strong).
- Include work experience: Include any jobs, internships or volunteer positions. Focus on what you did and what you learned.
- Add optional sections: Add optional sections such as certifications, projects or extracurricular activities to showcase your commitment beyond academic achievements.
Explore our ChatGPT CV guide for tips on how to effectively use AI to support your writing process while you craft your student CV.
Do employers prefer a CV or a resume?
In the United States, resumes are generally preferred for most job applications, especially in corporate, non-profit and government sectors.
However, a CV is commonly used in specific settings, including the following:
- Academic positions: CVs are standard for roles in higher education, such as faculty positions, research roles or academic fellowships. They provide a comprehensive overview of academic achievements, including degrees and research contributions.
- Research and medical fields: Professionals applying for research-based positions, grants or medical roles (such as physicians or scientists) often use CVs to detail their research experience, publications and clinical work.
- Fellowships and grants: Applications for academic fellowships, scholarships or research grants typically require a CV, as they need detailed information about your academic background and research history.
Explore our guide on CVs versus resumes for additional information about choosing the best job application document for your situation.
How do you format a student CV?
The ideal format for a student CV is the reverse-chronological format, which lists experiences and education in reverse chronological order, starting with the most recent.
We recommend browsing our student CV templates for a first job to see examples of a well-crafted CV. Here are some additional formatting tips to consider:
- Use clear section headings: To organize your information, include sections like “Education,” “Experience,” “Skills” and “Certifications.”
- Maintain consistent formatting: Ensure headings, bullet points and spacing are consistent throughout your student CV.
- Use bullet points: Break down information into bullet points for easy readability, starting each point with an action verb.
- Align dates and locations: To keep the layout clean, place dates and locations in a consistent spot (e.g., right-aligned).
Before submitting your application, remember to double-check for typos, grammatical issues and formatting inconsistencies to ensure that your CV is polished and professional.
Best Practices
- Use measurable achievements to describe your skills and experience.
- Use action words to add impact to your student CV.
- Tailor your student CV to your target internship or role.
- Use keywords from the job description throughout your student CV.
- Format your CV so that it is easy to read by ATS software and recruiters.
- Lie about your academic or professional experience and skills.
- Boast about your “incomparable” abilities as a student.
- Include irrelevant personal information such as your ethnicity and age.
- Add skills and experience that do not pertain to the role.
- Forget to proofread. A student CV with errors is unprofessional.
Interview Tips
Learn about the company
It’s vital to take the time to learn about the company’s history, goals, values and people before your job interview.
Being able to demonstrate in-depth knowledge about your potential employer shows real interest, dedication and commitment. Here are a few areas to consider researching:
- Company culture and values: Understand the company’s mission, values and workplace culture. This can help you determine if they align with your own values and prepare you to discuss how you would fit within their environment.
- Products, services or industry focus: Familiarize yourself with the company’s core offerings, target audience and any unique aspects of its products or services. This shows that you’re genuinely interested in what they do and how you can contribute.
- Recent news and achievements: Look up recent press releases, news articles, or accomplishments like awards, product launches or partnerships. This demonstrates that you’ve done your homework and are aware of the company’s current initiatives.
Getting a glimpse of the company culture before you arrive will give you an idea of what to expect, so you can feel confident about your interview.
Practice at home
Practice makes perfect. To practice for your interview, start by reviewing the most common behavioral interview questions, such as:
- What two or three things are most important to you in a job?
- Describe a time when you needed to cope with a stressful scenario.
- How would your coworkers describe you?
Write down possible answers as you review potential questions. Then, ask a friend or relative to perform a mock interview so you can get comfortable with the questions.
Be proactive and ask questions
Your interviewer will ask if you have any questions at the end of your session. You should always have at least three questions ready to ask to demonstrate your interest.
Some questions you might ask at the end of a job interview include:
- What does a typical day or week look like for someone in this role?
- How would you describe the company culture, and what qualities do you think are important to thrive here?
- What are the biggest challenges currently facing the team?
- How do you measure success in this role, and what would you like to see accomplished in the first six months?
Gather References
You’ll need professional references quickly if the hiring manager offers you the job after the interview.
Having them ready will save you stress and time, so prepare a list of two former colleagues and a former manager who are willing to speak to your abilities to perform on the job.
If you are applying for your first full-time job and don’t have former colleagues or a manager for reference, ask a former instructor, volunteer coordinator, classmate or community leader.
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Elizabeth is a Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW) and a member of the Professional Association of Résumé Writers & Careers Coaches. She is passionate about delivering information that empowers job seekers to achieve their professional goals.
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