Dr Zuleyka Zevallos

Not to single them out - just did quick google but look - says not to include “irrelevant” work experience: https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/967/02/ …

WTH "Don’t pad your CV with experiences not connected to academia and never include high school awards...It’s better to have a short, honest, and professional document than one cluttered with long-ago achievements and off-topic diversions that will only make you look desperate"

WOW, I mean, WOW - the class privilege of this advice (not to mention other privileges). "Long ago achievements" - if students went to underprivileged school, their awards may better reflect any recognition they would otherwise receive in other contexts. Perfectly ok esp for ECR

Basically they told me my cv was too long and that stuff was irrelevant. If I added back part time jobs and non micro related research I’d have a solid extra 2-3 pages. I held 2 jobs at all times in undergrad.

1/ There's a lot here to unpack and thanks for sharing! First, yes, CVs should be brief, but there are ways to list non-academic roles without cutting altogether. E.g. Under management section with role only, or listing a selection & then pointing to a website for more detail.

2/ Not speaking to your personal situation of course, but generally having multiple jobs in undergrad speaks to financial demands on students. Advisors need to recognise how important such work is to students & nurture ability to juggle conflicting demands as a marketable skill.

That was def my situation. I was on work study and then because they didn’t give enough hours to cover expenses, I had another job. After junior year luckily the second jobs were always research. But I’ve been an RA, a Cater Waiter, a grocery store cashier, animal shelter worker

I honestly don’t remember. I never went to a career center because they never really knew about STEM careers. So had to be an advisor.

Hmmm. What makes you think careers centre didn't know about STEM careers? They are generalists, and often have good services if not specific to your discipline. Did your lecturers ever invite them to your class to discuss the skills they offer?

Maybe once or twice. But in my experience they told us opposite of what actual people in those career positions say. Granted this was 6+ years ago

Interesting. I'd like to know more about how other people experienced their careers centre. At the very least, I encouraged my students to visit them for proof-reading CVs and applications & practice interviewing skills, which they happily did at my uni.

Oh that stuff, yes def! But anything more specific than that ... most STEM jobs weren’t even posted at our career center. So it seemed kinda useless to me. I also might have just been cranky for 4 years lol.

Ah ha! Did they host careers fairs relevant to STEM, on campus? (LOL to cranky for four years. )

not that I remember. Me being cranky really is a possibility. I was a double STEM major with 2 jobs and leadership roles in student housing. Im honestly not sure how I survived.

You mentioned they said keep your leadership out of applications - please tell me you weren't encouraged to take out your leadership in student housing AT LEAST.