Easy Ways to Build Resume Over the Summer

Hi everyone!!

With the spring semester coming to a close, I'm sure many of you have a summer internship or assistantship lined up! If not, don't fret. This is a perfect way to build your resume and your research skills. No classes, no internships, no nothing. Just time to relax with some easy projects.

So, here are some ways to build that CV/resume!

Learn a Coding Language

In this day and age, coding is everywhere! If you're like me, you either failed AP Computer Science Principles or you hate computers. (In my defense, it was quarantine when I took that course, and a 60-year-old vaccine denier man taught it. So don't hate me!)

However, if you want to be able to code statistical data, you'll need to learn some sort of coding language. All the programs and resources I will be listing are free to access, or at least free with your institution.

MATLAB

MATLAB is a very simple coding language and an older coding language. It is specifically designed for data analysis and is essential to certain concepts depending on the field. Fields that heavily rely on coding, like engineering, would benefit from using MATLAB.

MATLAB is great with the variety of toolboxes at its disposal. Tons of examples of code within those toolboxes for those who are beginners! As well, it has a ton of plugin support. So, depending on the software, MATLAB is greatly versatile. Furthermore, MATLAB is great for algebraic equations.

However, MATLAB is not as widely used as it once was. With the rise of Python, JavaScript, and R, the usage of MATLAB has decreased. As well, the commercial license is quite pricey. But! It's not completely useless. It is a great introduction to computer science and coding.

To learn MATLAB, the company has a self-paced course on its website. It is free WITH an institutional email (so whatever is your college email.)

https://matlabacademy.mathworks.com/details/matlab-onramp/gettingstarted

Example of MATLAB Course

RStudio

R is more common in the data sciences. R allows for more advanced statistical analysis and plotting of the data. Unlike MATLAB, R is less for numerical processes and algebraic equations.

R and RStudio is best for creating a visual of what your data has created for you; however, it is not as user-friendly in comparison to the other languages. It is also open-sourced, so have at it, anyone!

To begin learning R, you'll need both R and the RStudio application. Both of these will have to be installed on your computer, in comparison to MATLAB, which you can learn on your web browser.

R: https://www.r-project.org/

RStudio: https://posit.co/downloads/

On how to learn R, there are tons of resources on how to. Swirl is a free program that you install through R; however, users have complained that the program can be buggy. In my experience, it has helped me understand the basics of coding. Learning where to place quotations in the code, how to create files, etc. Another program that assists with learning R is discovR. It's similar to R by how interactive the program is.

Swirl: https://swirlstats.com/students.html

discovR: https://www.discovr.rocks/discovr/

If you prefer a traditional method of learning, there are online textbooks and guides you can resort to! There is a notorious digital textbook by Hadley Wickham, Mine Centinkaya, and Garrett Grolemund called R for Data Science that is for free. You can also buy the physical textbook if you prefer having physical media!

Digital: https://r4ds.hadley.nz/

Physical: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1492097403?&tag=hadlwick-20

Downloading discovR Onto My RStudio (don't let all the coding scaring you, it's just how it downloads. you don't have to do anything)

Learning the Basics of Coding from Harvard

Now, you may be asking, "I don't go to Harvard. So, how the hell do you expect me to learn coding from there?!" Which that's a completely fair statement. But, before you invalidate my blog, LEMME EXPLAIN!

Harvard offers their course CS50: Introduction to Computer Science for free! The course is self-paced, and you don't need to be a Harvard student. However, if you want a verified certificate that you took the course, it costs $219 USD. So, you have access to the highest quality of instruction about computer science in the palm of your hand FOR FREE!

It'll teach you the basics of computer science and programming. It'll teach you the basics of the following coding languages: C, Python, SQL, JavaScript, CSS, and HTML! So, what are you waiting for??

https://pll.harvard.edu/course/cs50-introduction-computer-science

Volunteering

Your community needs people who are willing to give. Even if it's just an hour a week, it can make a difference in someone's life.

Connecting with certain programs can expand your network and build a positive reputation for you. For example, I am currently tutoring as a volunteer at a local school in my area through my organization, Future Children's Association. Even if the children are very intelligent, which they are at the school I tutor at, they are still learning every day. I've been asked to teach organization skills to certain kids. They can do the homework amazingly; however, they are completely unorganized. They don't know how to schedule when to do it, or their binder is a complete mess. With my volunteering, I have created a positive reputation with the parents in the local area for helping their children prepare for their future. As well, the parents there are either in high positions (dentists, professors, lawyers) or are connected to people in high positions that can set you up for future internships or even job positions.

Additionally, these volunteer programs can teach you very valuable skills that you put on your CV and use in your everyday life. Last spring, I took a class called Bugs and People. It was a super fun class! But what made it even more worthwhile was a position that my professor offered to the entire class. However, only my best friend and I took it up. It was a Bug Camp Counselor. I got to run around in fields helping kids catch bugs and teaching them the anatomy of them. These kids were going to bug camp in the world's #1 entomology department, and I was just counseling them!

Here's Me Wearing a Bee Suit at Bug Camp

Just recently, the professor who ran the camp emailed the prior counselors about this year's camp! Unfortunately, I will not be able to do it this year as I will be in Atlanta for a conference the week it happens. However, something important I noticed in the email. She included what skills you can add to your CV. Those were: Science Communication, Youth Mentoring, and Insect Field Collecting Techniques. So, now I have experience teaching science to children without even knowing it!

So, get out there and get involved with your community! Not only will it benefit you, it'll also have a massive positive impact on those who need it.

That's All Folks

That is all I have for now! If I think of anymore things to do this summer to help your CV, I'll either edit this post or make another one!

I hope this'll help y'all!

Hanging on by a thread,

Malachi :)