How To Build An Impressive Cv In University
August 8, 2025
WRITTEN BY SATHWARA DEVANSHI RAKESH CLASS OF 2030
In today’s competitive world, a well-crafted CV (Curriculum Vitae) is more than just a piece of paper — it’s your personal marketing tool. For university students, especially those just starting their academic journey, building a strong CV early on can open doors to internships, research positions, scholarships, and even job opportunities. This blog will guide you step-by-step on how to create a standout CV during your university years.
UNDERSTAND WHAT A CV IS
A CV is a summary of your academic qualifications, experiences, skills, and achievements. Unlike a résumé, a CV is more detailed and tailored especially for academic, research, or professional opportunities.
KEY ELEMENTS OF A STUDENT CV:
- Contact Information
- Objective or Summary
- Education
- Skills
- Internships / Volunteer Experience
- Certifications
- Projects / Research Work
- Extracurricular Activities
- Awards & Achievements
PLAN FOR THE COURSE OF MEDICAL UNIVERSITY THROUGH THE YEARS
FIRST YEAR:
Join student clubs or societies
Volunteer at campus events or NGOs
Enroll in beginner online courses (Coursera, edX, etc.)
Start a LinkedIn profile
SECOND YEAR:
Apply for small internships or shadowing programs
Start contributing to college magazines, events, or research
Take certifications in relevant tools
THIRD YEAR ONWARDS:
Take leadership roles in student bodies
Apply for significant internships or research assistant positions
Attend conferences, workshops, or publish papers if possible
CRAFTING THE CV – SECTION BY SECTION
EDUCATION:
Include university name, degree, and expected graduation date.
SKILLS:
List both technical (hard) and soft skills (e.g., Microsoft Office, Canva, Communication).
INTERNSHIPS / VOLUNTEERING:
Mention your role, place, duration, and key work.
CERTIFICATIONS:
Include only relevant and recognized courses. Projects / Research: Highlight what you worked on, tools used, and the outcome.
EXTRA-CURRICULARS & AWARDS:
Student council, club positions, competition wins, etc.
VISUAL APPEAL MATTERS
Use a clean and professional template.
RECOMMENDED TOOLS:
- Canva (Student CV Templates)
- Zety or Novoresume
- Microsoft Word Templates
TIPS:
- Use bullet points
- Stick to one font style
- Avoid over-designing
KEEP UPDATING & TAILORING IT
Your CV should evolve as you grow. Keep updating every 3–6 months.
Tailor for each opportunity — a CV for a research internship will look different than one for a startup job.
REFERENCES & REAL EXAMPLES
Reading well-made CVs helps you understand what works. Refer to:
LinkedIn profiles of seniors or professionals
University career services CV samples
Free online student CV guides (Zety, Indeed, Canva)
COMMON MISTAKES TO AVOID
Typos and grammatical errors
Using unprofessional email IDs
Adding irrelevant or outdated details
Leaving large empty sections
HOW TO HIGHLIGHT YOUR UNIQUE STRENGTHS
Every student has unique experiences and qualities — don’t hesitate to showcase them. Whether it's managing a part-time job, handling family responsibilities, or pursuing creative hobbies, these speak to your time management, dedication, and individuality.
For example, if you’ve participated in a cultural exchange program, organized a local event, or maintained a long-term personal blog, include it. These experiences make you stand out.
REAL-WORLD BENEFITS OF A STRONG CV
A professional CV isn’t just for landing internships — it opens doors to scholarships, leadership roles, research projects, and even early job offers. Having a CV ready makes application processes easier and gives you confidence in interviews.
Furthermore, when applying for academic conferences, fellowships, or university representation, a strong CV is often a requirement.
ADDITIONAL INSIGHT: APPLYING YOUR SKILLS IN REAL LIFE
To make your CV more impactful, it’s helpful to show how you've applied the skills you list. For example, if you’ve mentioned communication as a soft skill, describe a time when you gave a presentation in class, hosted an event, or served as a liaison between students and faculty. To make your CV more impactful, it’s helpful to show how you've applied the skills you list. For example, if you’ve mentioned communication as a soft skill, describe a time when you gave a presentation in class, hosted an event, or served as a liaison between students and faculty. If you’re good at Canva, include how you designed posters or social media graphics for a student club. For leadership, mention how you coordinated a team during a college fest or helped resolve group conflicts in a class project.
These practical examples make your CV more relatable and convincing to potential recruiters or academic reviewers.
EXTRA TIP:
When describing experiences, use action verbs like 'organized', 'developed', 'led', 'created', and 'collaborated'. This helps show your impact, not just your involvement.
CONCLUSION
Your university life is the best time to shape your identity on paper. A strong CV reflects not just what you’ve done, but who you are becoming. Start small, build consistently, and never underestimate the power of each step.