Writing CV
This lesson plan was a part of the "EDUC 198 Directed Research in Education course" which I started teaching in Fall 2021. Course participants are Research Assistants (RAs) for the UCI Working Memory and Plasticity Lab (WMP Lab). This course is an introductory and supplementary class for undergraduate/new RAs who are doing research for course credit. In addition to their lab responsibilities, RAs are required to complete the assigned readings and a final project.
For this week, I prepared the following resources and instructions so RAs can start writing CV or modify the ones they already have.
What is a CV?
CV stands for "curriculum vitae", which is Latin for "course of life". In another word, you are providing a summary of your academic and professional career, along with relevant information that illustrates your skills and qualifications. In the context of U.S. higher education, CV is most commonly seen for academic or research-orientated jobs or applications.
There isn't a "standardized" format for a CV, but given its purpose - to communicate your experiences and qualifications, most CVs include name, contact information, education, work experience, publications, awards, and relevant skills. Unlike resumes, CV can be as long as 20+ pages! When you look at some of the faculty CVs, they often have A LOT of stuff on their CV because they've done more. For students, it's totally okay to just a 2-3 pages since you are still growing and learning. Here is a comprehensive list of stuff you could include on your CV from Pomona College: https://www.pomona.edu/administration/career-development/how-to/write-curriculum-vitae
Tips on Writing CV
Just by Googling "writing CV", there are a gazillion entries!!! My personal advice on improving your CV is to:
use CVs from your trusting mentors as a reference
have people review, comment, and edit your CV
prioritize grant and publication information
To save you some time surfing online, here is a list of resources I think could be really helpful for you:
Build a better CV - Simple steps to help graduate students improve their CVs by APA: https://www.apa.org/gradpsych/2015/01/curriculum-vitae?continueFlag=a567c2143a4ecb15476d6931bd09ec0b
Curriculum Vitae (CV) Samples, Templates, and Writing Tips by the Balance: https://www.thebalancecareers.com/cv-samples-and-writing-tips-2060349
Resume vs. Curriculum Vitae: What's the Difference?:
A Guide to Academia: Getting into and Surviving Grad School, Postdocs, and a Research Job - Appendices: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/book/10.1002/9781118317211
I've also included a list of CV examples I've accumulated and used throughout the year. Please note this list is only for personal and educational use.
