Tips and an offer to help from IDEA SAND BOX PAUL WILLIAMS

You know this... And working for Starbucks I was constantly approached by baristas who wanted to work in marketing. They were students finishing up their marketing programs.
One of the biggest challenges when they leave school is that they often lack practical experience. And are looped in the catch-22. I can't get a job without experience. If I can't get a job, I can't get experience.

That's what's great about the case studies and project work you've got them doing. I would love to find a way to help provide students with the real skills they need for their first interview and to drive success in their first role.

A tip I offer is for students (second or third year) to find the job description of a job they want and to see what it says...
- managing multiple priorities
- plan writing
- budget management
- execution of details
- problem solving

Find ways to do this on or off campus. Take even a random job that will let you demonstrate these.

Here's a resource I put together for students at my alma mater Southern Illinois University at Illinois ... take a look. I'm happy to re-post this content for your students.
http://idea-sandbox.com/siue/

I'm also a stickler for students who put their education FIRST on their resume. That's a clear sign that they have no experience... I push for a functional resume with major categories - Leadership, Project Management, Finance & Planning, etc... - bullet your accomplishments under these.

Don't worry about GPA, put your education near the end, list the school, your degree, year, and your major/minor. That's all.
Focus on the skills that someone does who has 5 or 10 years experience...