| As students move through college and into the world | | | | organizations. |
| of work, they will be judged on their | | | | "An accomplishment is not what you do. Rather, it is |
| accomplishments. Therefore, every student who | | | | the result of what you do." |
| purposely builds a list of meaningful accomplishments | | | | We all know that there is a huge difference between |
| will greatly increase their chances of achieving their | | | | knowing what to do and actually doing it. That's why |
| goals. Employers and Graduate Schools expect to see | | | | employers want to see examples of what you've |
| accomplishments on a resume and are eager to | | | | been able to get done. Your accomplishments help |
| discuss them during interviews. It is these | | | | employers to understand who you are and what you |
| accomplishments that help to differentiate one | | | | are becoming. Successful students and employees |
| candidate from another. | | | | continually pursue and build their list of meaningful |
| Most students and employees view accomplishments | | | | accomplishments. |
| in a favorable light because they can lead to | | | | "Effort, without results, rings hollow." |
| recognition, respect, opportunities, promotions, | | | | As one might expect, accomplishments can vary |
| money, prestige, fame, security and more. But, what | | | | greatly in their size and significance. Keep in mind that |
| exactly is an accomplishment? | | | | it may very well require a whole bunch of small |
| Accomplishments generally fall into three categories: | | | | accomplishments before the larger ones are achieved. |
| Personal - These accomplishments generally benefit | | | | Large, significant and meaningful accomplishments are |
| the student or employee alone. (Getting an "A" on a | | | | usually built on a solid foundation of smaller |
| test. Graduating from college. Arriving early to get a | | | | accomplishments. |
| good parking space. Learning something new. etc.) | | | | What does it take? Accomplishments usually involve |
| For Organizations - Because of the accomplishment, | | | | hard work, personal sacrifice, risk taking, creativity, |
| the club, association, college, employer or organization | | | | overcoming obstacles, leadership, communication and |
| is better off. This accomplishment directly contributes | | | | building relationships with influential people. That's why |
| to the success of the organization. | | | | it is so important for students to work on and |
| For Other People - The accomplishment is selfless | | | | develop these skills and abilities and then provide |
| and benefits one or more other people. This is | | | | examples on their resumes. |
| especially appreciated when the accomplishment | | | | What do they do? Accomplishments usually make |
| speaks well of the person's character and integrity. | | | | something better, solve or prevent a problem, |
| What someone accomplishments for an organization | | | | preserve resources, generate revenue or enable |
| and other people will almost always be viewed as | | | | people and organizations to achieve their goals. |
| more significant than accomplishments that benefit | | | | There are an unlimited number of opportunities to |
| only themselves. However, it is important to | | | | accomplish the things that students can put on their |
| recognize that an individual may very well benefit | | | | resumes. If a student has already decided on a |
| personally, as they pursue accomplishments that | | | | direction to take in college, he/she can look for |
| benefit other people and organizations. That is as it | | | | opportunities to generate accomplishments in their |
| should be. | | | | area of interest. If a direction is not yet clear, he/she |
| Importantly, it is not an individual's hard work or | | | | can look for opportunities to build their knowledge |
| sacrifice alone that will normally be recognized, | | | | and skills in any area that will show an employer or |
| celebrated and rewarded. Let's make this clear. Hard | | | | Grad School that they can lead or assist a campus |
| work and sacrifice are not accomplishments. They | | | | activity, employer or community organization. |
| are activities and behaviors that are expected and | | | | Understanding the definition of an accomplishment is |
| may lead to an accomplishment. A meaningful | | | | good. However, performing the tasks and activities |
| accomplishment is the positive end result that is | | | | that will result in an accomplishment is better. It's the |
| achieved. That end result benefits people or | | | | results that count. |