Working Student Resume Example and Template
Working student resumes should showcase your ability to balance significant academic commitments with employment. Emphasize time management, the relevance of work to your field of study, and any leadership shown through academics or activities.
Employers value working students highly because they demonstrate maturity and work ethic. Show that neither your grades nor job performance suffered despite juggling both responsibilities simultaneously.
Also searched as
Research Assistant
Olivia Jackson: Working Student
Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States
Summary
Senior at University of North Carolina pursuing a degree in Biology while working 15 hours weekly as a Research Assistant in campus neuroscience lab. Assist with two NIH-funded studies, processing samples and maintaining lab records. Maintain 3.6 GPA while working and leading pre-med mentoring group. Experienced in pipette techniques, data analysis, and lab documentation.
Work Experience
Research Assistant, UNC Department of Neuroscience
Sep 2023 – Present. University research lab, two active NIH-funded studies
- Process biological samples for two NIH-funded studies on neurodegeneration, maintaining lab equipment logs and research documentation with 100% accuracy
- Perform pipette and centrifugation techniques on 50+ samples per week, following strict protocol requirements for data integrity
- Collaborate with graduate students and postdocs on data analysis using Excel and Python, contributing to presentations at two lab meetings per semester
- Trained 4 new undergraduate assistants on lab protocols and safety procedures, reducing onboarding time by 2 weeks
Education
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Bachelor of Science, Biology. Aug 2023 – May 2027
Skills
Lab Techniques, Pipetting, Data Analysis, Excel, Python, Scientific Writing, Sample Processing, Lab Safety, Research Documentation, Problem Solving
Languages
English, American Sign Language
Volunteering
Peer Mentor and Program Lead, UNC Pre-Med Mentoring Program
Jan 2024 – Present. Student-led mentoring for pre-med undergraduates
- Lead monthly meetings for 24 pre-med students, covering exam preparation, medical school application strategy, and resilience during difficult coursework
- Mentor 4 first-year students one-on-one, improving their organic chemistry grades by average of 1.2 letter grades
Why this look works
STEM fields benefit from clean, professional design that emphasizes your technical competency. A clear layout with space for research, education, and lab techniques shows you're organized and capable of managing complexity.
Resume tips for this job
- If you work in research or labs, explain your contribution in specific terms. 'Process samples' is better than 'helped with research.' Numbers matter: how many samples per week, how many people you trained.
- Lead with your GPA only if it's 3.5 or higher. If you're maintaining a high GPA while working, mention it explicitly. This proves you manage time exceptionally well.
- Include mentoring or teaching experience you do alongside your job. Many employers see this as a sign of leadership and communication skills.
Common questions
My job is in a research field different from my major. Should I include it?
Definitely. Research experience transfers across fields and shows academic rigor, lab competency, and technical thinking. Employers in healthcare, biotech, and pharma value any research background, even if the specific focus differs from your major.
I work 15 hours weekly and maintain a 3.6 GPA. Should I explicitly state both?
Yes. Both pieces of information matter. State your hours in your job description and your GPA in education. Employers seeing you balance both will respect your time management skills.
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The person, employers and numbers in this example are fictional, written to show what a strong resume for this job looks like.