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5 Resume Boosting Ways to Travel

Her Campus Placeholder Avatar Hillary Coombs
Her Campus Placeholder Avatar Devon Correll
This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at Bryant chapter.

 

Traveling the world – Something that is on almost every college students Bucket List. While traveling the world is the last thing you would think to relate to your resume, I am here to tell you just how many ways it actually does, and how much it can help you along the way! After spending a semester abroad in Spain, while interning in a Spanish marketing firm, I have found ways to strengthen my resume in various ways. And, in spirit of Her Campus’ recent pairing with Contiki, we are dedicated to providing you with ways to make the most of all your travels (even in ways that are not so sexy).

  1. Try the food: This is not only a great resume booster and a way to discuss your immersion into the culture, but it is fun! Who doesn’t love food? When I traveled to 6 different countries while abroad I tried a key dish in every place, even escargo (snail) in Paris! Immersing yourself in the culture not only makes you more culturally versed, but shows your dedication to making your experiences educational. Employers will be amazed at your motivation to learn no matter where you are in the world.
  2. Speak the language: While it is not always possible to be fluent in another language, especially if you have never studied it before, pick up SOMETHING! Try to pick up key phrases: hello, goodbye, how are you, thank you, where is _?, how much is _?, etc. This way you can add to the skills section on your resume – background in Italian/Spanish/Chinese, whatever the language may be! Then, in an interview WOW your employer with some of those phrases you had a great time learning abroad.
  3. Volunteer: Giving back to the community is always a great feeling, and always looks great on your resume. While traveling, volunteer any chance you get! Whether you can make a trip out of a volunteer project, like one to Peru Bryant offers, or find a local soup kitchen or school that could use help teaching English, giving back always impresses employers. Not only can you give back to a great cause, but you can show your employer how compassionate you are, even when traveling the world!
  4. Find a hotel alternative: This goes along with the food and the idea of emerging yourself in another culture as much as possible. Try avoiding the typical hotel where you can find everything in English, American food, etc. While abroad I stayed in hostels every place I traveled. Not only were they cheaper, but I met a ton of great people (most of whom were foreigners). It is a great chance to meet other people, and again immerse yourself more in the country than staying surrounded by American customs. Here you will experience some local food, meet people from ALL OVER the world, and be forced to speak some of the language.
  5. Visit a museum: Now, before you write off this idea… this is an absolutely amazing way to build your resume. And, while I wasn’t always a fan of museums in the past, I could not get enough of them while in Europe. For starters there are museums of all types, so you are sure to find one that interests you. Additionally, museums are literally a cool version of a one semester history course. Now how great does that sound? All that knowledge, in one day, without any lectures? YUPP – DO IT! It will allow you to converse with employers about history lessons they may have never learned about. And, what is better than to increase your already intelligent mind with a little more information? That is what a resume is all about anyways, right? All the things you know and skills you are capable of?

So what are you waiting for? Get out there and book a #contiki trip to your dream destination today! And don’t worry about convincing your parents, now you have FIVE reasons it’s all in the good of your resume. 

 

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Hillary Coombs is a junior at Bryant University studying International Business and Marketing minoring in Chinese and Spanish. She works during the summers at Westminster Tool blogging and updating all social media accounts as well as interning in the International Affairs office. During the fall of 2012, Hillary studied abroad in Salamanca, Spain where she held a marketing internship and perfected her Spanish language. At Bryant, she works in the Office of Planning and Institutional Research gathering crucial university data and presenting it through documents to the President, Deans, and other faculty members of Bryant University. Aside from working and studying Hillary is a member of the Sigma Sigma Sigma Sorority and Omicorn Delta Kappa. Hillary finds peace of mind staying active and running in local 5K races.
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Devon is a senior at Bryant University.  As a Marketing and Communications major, Her Campus is everything that Devon loves. Her hometown of Rutland, Vermont is where she was born and raised.  She attended Philadelphia University for her freshmen year of college as a Fashion Industry Management major, but discovered her true passion was the business aspect of the fashio industry, leading her to transfer to a nationally ranked business school, Bryant University.  Devon is the co-president of the Her Campus chapter at Bryant and is also a Research Assistant in the school's Office of Planning and Institutional Research.  You will see Devon on campus organizing HC events, running around finishing projects, or hanging out with her friends.  Devon's passions include: writing, dance, the ocean, and spending time with the people she loves.