Polishing resumes, building confidence: The impact of peer advisors

Cynthia Agbemenu ‘24 knows how to take a resume from meh to mesmerizing. 

Agbemenu, a peer advisor in the Arts & Sciences Career Development office, is a guiding hand for undergraduate students of all years in the College. From polishing first-year students’ resumes from high school to helping seniors nail down their full-time job opportunities, Agbemenu said she’s glad to be able to share some of the wisdom that helped her. The peer advisor program recently resumed in the office, after a break during COVID.

Agbemenu said Arts & Sciences Career Development offered her invaluable guidance and support. Whether it was refining her resume, learning about Cornell’s Pre-Professional Program (P3) or preparing to consider a full-time job offer. 

“Whether it's helping frame a high school resume or polishing it into a college one, I enjoy ensuring students get the most benefit from coming in and asking questions,” she said.

Through advisors in the office, Agbemenu learned how to highlight her skills and experiences in a way that showcased her strengths, giving her the confidence to pursue opportunities with a polished and professional resume. She is now able to impart that wisdom to her peers.

As students make their way through Cornell, the career development office becomes a crucial aspect of their lives, as they prepare to transition from academia to the professional world or graduate school.

“It is a win-win when students offer feedback to their peers," said Jen Maclaughlin, director of Arts & Sciences Career Development. “This peer-to-peer interaction not only enhances the quality of the resumes being developed but also fosters a sense of community among students.”

The ability to work with a student career advisor who provides personal attention ensures that students can address their specific concerns and receive customized feedback, she said.

“Allowing students to send their resumes before our meeting allows us to give them one on one attention since we can just focus on the areas of weaknesses,” said Reya Babu ‘26, another peer advisor. Babu also used career development office resources to explore career opportunities, including the Career Development Toolkit, a resource integrated into the Canvas learning management system.

The A&S Career Development office schedules 1,800 appointments each semester, Maclaughlin said, so the addition of peer advisors helps them see even more students and broaden their services. Along with resume reviews, interview prep and job lists, resources are available to navigate global job markets, assist with offers and negotiations and prepare students for graduate studies, including law school.

“Seeing our peer advisors assist students, and students’ reactions and feelings of comfort in utilizing career resources is really rewarding,” Maclaughlin said. “We are so happy the program has returned and encourage all students to take advantage of this amazing support.”

Elizabeth Lara-Rivera ‘26 is a communications assistant for the College of Arts & Sciences.