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Crafting a good resume is an art form. Think of your resume as a snapshot of your entire professional and academic existence. Consider the work that people put into selecting a profile photo on Facebook or Instagram. They want to look physically attractive, sure - but perhaps they would also like to demonstrate interest in a particular hobby, or show off an important relationship. Maybe they include a pet or beautiful outdoor scenery. Just as that photo is intended to convey nuance and detail in a single image, so should your resume.

Internships are a way for young professionals to develop the skills that they learned in the classroom and then apply them in the workplace. And what better way to spend your summer than gaining knowledge that will benefit your future? The best part about internships are that 72% of internships turn into full-time job offers. Yes, you heard me right, 72%! There is a good chance that you will be offered a position at the conclusion of your internship. This statistic from the National Association of Colleges and Employers alone makes getting an internship worth it!

Mother nature thought that our April showers meant snow here in RI, but that won't get in the way of us helping you plan for college. Seniors have a lot on their plate this month. Top among their stresses: which school they are going to attend in the fall. Juniors, on the other hand, are starting to explore colleges and figuring out what they want in a school. Check out our college planing tips for April below!

Seniors

This is a big time of year for high school seniors! College decisions must be made! A big deciding factor for students when deciding which school to attend is how much each school awarded to you in financial aid. Comparing those award letters is never an easy task which is why the RISLA College Planning Center is here to help. Schedule an appointment with us to get help comparing your award letters!

The one thing I wish I learned in both high school and college is how to manage my finances responsibly! I was never taught how to use a credit card wisely, save money for emergencies, and prepare myself for a stable financial future. After experiencing some harsh realities, like getting charged late fees and situations where I have panicked over the cost of repairs, I have learned how to save and be a financially responsible adult.

There are a handful of words that drive recruiters crazy when reading resumes and we hope you're not using them. Get a handle on words and terms you should avoid in your resume and better understand how recruiters approach candidate resumes in the infographic below. 

Get rid of the fluff and focus on telling your professional story. Strong examples of how you are a great candidate will get you further than the buzzwords that recruiters hate. Make it easy for the recruiter to see why they should bring you in for an interview and don't make them hunt for required qualifications. You'll be one step closer to your dream job when you leave out some common resume cliches.

Transitioning from one stage of your life to another (college to the real world) can be overwhelming. Prepare for life after college with our Adulting Guide.

Ten months, countless hours, and a thousand edits later... we have finally released our new Adulting Guide! Adulting is geared towards young adults who are about to graduate or have already graduated from college. This is a step-by-step guide to help you find a career you love and become a responsible adult. Get insight from employers, graduates, and career center staff about internships and preparing for your career. Learn how to become financially responsible and be sure to understand all of your responsibilities after graduation. Enjoy our new Adulting Guide and we hope it guides you towards success!

Your “brand” exists whether you manage it or not. As the cumulative footprint of all of your web activity, your reputation, and your professional history, your professional brand will live on into perpetuity, even if you do nothing to take control.

Whether you’re new to interviewing or a seasoned pro looking for a career transition, there’s one consistently tricky interview element with which everyone struggles: the candidate questions. Leaving an interview without asking any questions has two downfalls: 1) you will appear disinterested in the job and 2) you will not get the best representation of whether or not the job is a good fit for you.

If you are a high school student - or parent of one - college is likely on your mind. We regularly give advice about best college planning practices through the lens of the RISLA College Planning Center. But this month, we had the rare opportunity of gathering most of Rhode Island's high school guidance counselors in a single room, and we wanted to take advantage of that! Below, we have outlined five of today's most pressing college planning questions, rounded up the best answers from our state's school counselors, and aggregated some common themes to help you on your journey to college.