Internships, volunteer work, GPAs, oh my! Putting together a resume is tricky business, but as any employer will tell you, having a strong resume is critical to being considered for that dream job. With more and more qualified applicants joining the workforce every day, having the same old summer internships on your resume won’t make you stand out the way it used to. To get the edge over other applicants, you sometimes have to think outside of the box and one way to make yourself shine is to add camp counseling to your resume. It’s a competitive world out there, but here are a few of the ways in which camp might just give your resume an edge over the competition.
Camp counseling adds diversity to your resume.
Resumes are a dime a dozen and it can be challenging to make sure yours stands out from the others in the pile. When competition is fierce, employers often look for candidates that are unique and have skillsets or experience that set them apart from the crowd. Working at summer camp adds the diversity that can catch the eye of employers. While most applicants can boast school achievements or internships, having camp experience on your resume can show employers that you are unique and bring a lot to the table.
Working as a counselor shows you are collaborative.
Being able to work cooperatively with others is one of the most valued skills of employers and camp experience provides great opportunities to build collaboration skills. As a camp counselor, you make due living in close quarters with a wide variety of other staff and campers, and being able to work productively with all those around you is critical to your existence. A summer at camp is proof that you can communicate, compromise, and work effectively with others no matter what comes your way.
Working as a counselor shows you are willing to put in lots of effort.
Summer camp is all about the experiences, but it is also harder work than you would find at your average nine to five job. Putting camp counseling on your resume tells your potential employer that you can work a fourteen hour day in the blazing heat with a smile on your face and a positive attitude.
Camp counseling shows that you are passionate.
Let’s be real- nobody chooses to work at a summer camp because of the huge paycheck. Committing to a summer at camp might mean giving up the possibility of striking it right this summer, but it also shows future employers that you are passionate about helping others. Being a camp counselor requires a huge amount of heart and employers might appreciate that you are someone who is willing to put the needs of others ahead of your own.
Being a counselor shows that you can organize groups.
Trying to get a bunk of eight-year-olds up and moving each morning is about as easy as herding kittens, but if you can manage a cabin full of campers, you’ve got the managerial skills to do anything. Being responsible for a group of children requires strong communication and organization skills, which are also skills that are critical in most work environments.
Camp counseling isn’t just about fun in the sun (although you’ll definitely be in for a healthy dose of both fun and sun), it is also a way to make you a more competitive applicant as you pursue future careers. Adding camp to your resume tells employers that you have strong people skills and a desire to work hard- skills that are critical for making it into the workforce. Working a summer at camp has the potential to not only make for a great summer, but also to help you to reach all of your career goals in the future.
