Make Your 4-H Youth Development Experience Stand Out on Your Resume

Introduction

4-H prepares youth through a variety of programming, including project-area learning, professionalism and work skills, college and career exploration, leadership development, and real-life work experience, all of which can be easily translated to their first resume. 

Life skills such as communication, citizenship, decision-making, leadership, interpersonal relations, and community/global awareness are central to 4-H participation. Sometimes translating the skills learned from 4-H to an employment, award, or school application can seem difficult. 4-H experiences can apply toward your next goal. 

List Your 4-H Skills and Experiences 

Focus on your work-related goals. Then examine your experiences and values that support them. Here are questions to help you transfer 4-H skills, knowledge, and insight to your resume: 

1. Which 4-H skills and experiences are fitting for future jobs, award applications, or academic interests? 

2. What roles have I taken on in 4-H that show leadership, teamwork, or responsibility? 

3. Which 4-H experiences taught me practical knowledge or technical skills (like public speaking, record-keeping, animal care, etc.)? 

4. How have I solved problems, stayed committed, or improved over time in my 4-H journey? 

5. Which of my 4-H experiences align with the goals of the job, award, or academic program I’m applying for? 

Tip: Look in the secretary’s book and your e-records to remind yourself of experiences you’ve had in 4-H. Take a moment to think about your skills, knowledge, personal strengths and values. Some resume formats include a section where these are listed.

If you do not think you have much from your 4-H experience to put on your resume, it isn’t too late to get started! Here are some things you can do:  

• Join judging or competitive teams.  

• Run for a club, council, district, or state 4-H office. 

• Design a project training for others. 

• Teach something to younger 4-H members.  

• Ask about committees and delegations you can work with.  

• Go on state and national trips that provide leadership opportunities.  

List 5-10 realistic action steps for your work-related goal. Check them off when completed. 

Action Steps	Date Completed

Tip: Choose activities to enhance and expand what you already know and have experience doing, as well as activities to help you learn new skills.

Organize Your Experiences 

How do you organize your experiences and effectively record and present them so employers and schools can get a good idea of what you really can do?  

Record books: Keep track of decisions you made, activities, deadlines set and met, problems faced and how you solved them. With so many activities, it’s common to forget details of different accomplishments. Organized record books will illustrate your ability to use resources, including time, materials, and people. 

Tip: Use the club secretary’s book to help document your activities and your attendance.

Portfolio: Record all your 4-H experiences and keep them together with your copies of resumes, letters of reference, certificates and work samples (photographs, news clippings or anything else you have to show your work). When you exhibit your projects, save your illustrations or photographs and any certificates or ribbons you’ve earned. 

Tip: When you hold a club office such as parliamentarian or president, save a copy of an agenda you especially liked.

Learn Resume Basics 

What is a resume and how do I create one?

A resume is one way of presenting your background and your strengths. It should incorporate much of the information in your personal portfolio. Your resume showcases your abilities and experiences. Your skills in organization and communication will also show through. 

Tip: Consider these resume MUST-DO’S

• Include your contact information- ensure your email address is appropriate 
• Put your strongest and best materials first 
• Keep your resume brief (one page if possible) 
• Keep it simple and professional 
• Avoid personal material 
• Use active positive language, without slang or jargon  
• Highlight skills you possess that are specified in the job description 
• Remember to proofread it several times so there are no errors or inaccuracies of any kind 

Create a resume that highlights your skills, experiences, and education. You can list two or three of your most important skills and then three or four of your most recent related experiences. Be sure to include 4-H Life Skills you have learned.

Share your resume to get feedback from friends, leaders, parents, teachers, and others. Consider their suggestions as you make your resume tell your story. You can use the various systems you work in for feedback: school, family, athletics, local 4-H club, 4-H councils, State 4-H Senate, etc. 

Look at Sample Resumes 

Most word processing programs have resume templates. They look nice and are easy to adapt to your needs. There are several sites online, but they may charge you to use their template. Type “resume templates” into a web browser to find free templates for resumes. 

Libraries and school counselors have lots of resume references. Ask your county Extension 4-H agent for additional help. 

Following is an example of a resume that is based on the actual education, experience and skills of a 4-H member.

Tip: Including your GPA on a resume is optional. Typically, you would not include it unless it is a 3.5 or higher.