Jul 18, 2024
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12 min read
Turning Data Dreams into Resumes: Tips for Crafting the Perfect Data Science Intern Application
Rated by 348 people
Crafting a standout data science intern resume can often feel like trying to solve a complex algorithm. As a data science intern, you face unique challenges when writing your resume and searching for a job. You need to showcase your technical skills, project experiences, and academic achievements in a field that's both competitive and rapidly evolving. Many of you may be wondering how to highlight your strengths without much industry experience. It can be tricky to balance technical jargon with readability. Moreover, you might struggle to tailor your resume to fit specific job requirements. This guide will help you navigate these challenges and craft a resume that lands you that coveted intern position.
Choosing the right resume template is crucial. The perfect template highlights your skills, showcases your projects, and presents your achievements in an easy-to-read format. With the right template, your resume will stand out and grab the attention of recruiters.
Explore our collection of more than 700 resume examples to see what works best for you.
Key Takeaways
Your data science intern resume should tell a story of your passion for data and willingness to learn. Highlight your skills in programming languages, data analysis tools, and any academic projects. To grab attention, include relevant coursework, certifications, and any hands-on experience, even if it's through self-initiated projects. Boost the impact of your resume with these points:
When crafting a resume for a data science intern position, you should focus on showcasing your relevant education, skills, and experiences. Essential resume sections include:
You can also include additional sections to enhance your resume, such as Relevant Coursework, Certifications, Volunteer Experience, or Extracurricular Activities. These can help demonstrate your commitment and provide a holistic view of your potential.
For an entry-level data science intern resume, a modern, clean format works best to catch attention and pass through Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS). Stick to fonts like Rubik and Montserrat for a fresh look, avoiding old-school fonts like Arial and Times New Roman. PDFs are the best file type for maintaining your resume's format across different devices. Keep margins between 0.5" and 1" for a balance of white space and content. Use clear section headings that help both the ATS and hiring managers quickly find key information.
A data science intern resume should have the following sections:
Resume Mentor's free resume builder takes care of all these details for you, ensuring your resume looks professional and ATS-friendly from the start.
Including an education section in your data science intern resume is a crucial step. Tailoring this section specifically to the job you're applying for increases your chances of standing out. Including irrelevant education can detract from your qualifications, making it essential to stay focused on what's most pertinent.
When listing your GPA, ensure it highlights your academic performance. Writing "GPA: 3.8/4.0" provides a clear picture of your achievements. If you graduated with honors, such as cum laude, include this detail right after your degree to showcase your academic excellence. The degree should be listed clearly, e.g., "Bachelor of Science in Data Science."
Wrong example:
The first resume education example is not good because it includes unrelated education, such as a high school diploma and a history degree, which do not align with a data science intern position. The example fails to show clear relevance to the job, potentially confusing recruiters.
Right example:
The second example is good because it highlights relevant education directly related to the data science role. It lists an impressive GPA and cum laude honor, all from a relevant degree program. This focused approach ensures recruiters immediately see the connection between your education and the job.
Including a volunteering section on your resume is crucial for entry-level data science positions. Volunteering shows your initiative and ability to apply skills to real-world problems, which are key traits for a data scientist. You can feature your volunteering in its own section or include it in the experience section. Start each listing with an action verb to make an impact.
When adding a separate volunteering section, list the role, organization, location, and date. Then, use bullet points to outline what you accomplished. If you include this in the experience section, treat it just like any job entry.
This example stands out because it directly relates to data science, demonstrating practical application of skills. The detailed bullets make it clear what you did, offering a snapshot of your abilities in data analysis and visualization. This can be a great asset when applying for an intern role, as it shows you not only have the technical skills but also the passion and initiative to contribute to meaningful projects.
Writing your resume experience section when you have little to no experience can feel tricky, but it's possible to create an impressive entry-level data science intern resume with the right approach. Here are some essential tips to help shape this crucial part of your resume.
First, think about the order of your resume. Start with a summary or objective that clearly states your career goals. Follow this with your education section, especially if you have relevant coursework or a strong GPA. When detailing your experience, highlight transferable skills gained from other roles or activities, including volunteering or academic projects. Use action words to make your achievements stand out. Words like "analyzed," "developed," and "created" make your contributions clear and impactful. Tailor your resume to match the job description, emphasizing areas where your skills and experiences line up with the job requirements.
Here are two examples of resume experience sections:
This example is problematic because it lists duties without highlighting achievements. It also uses generic tasks that don't showcase any connection to data science.
Now, let's look at a better version:
This example stands out because it emphasizes specific achievements, uses numbers to show impact, and directly relates to data science. It highlights collaboration, technical skills, and tangible results, making it much more impressive to potential employers.
Depending on your background, you can focus your resume experience section in various ways. Here are four distinct focuses to consider:
Highlight specific skills you've developed that are relevant to data science such as programming, analytical skills, or statistical knowledge.
Research Assistant
University Lab
June 2021 - August 2021
Shift the focus to specific data science projects you’ve worked on during your education or on your own.
Project Lead
Personal Project
September 2021 - November 2021
Emphasize your problem-solving skills by detailing instances where you've successfully tackled challenges.
Team Member
XYZ Hackathon
November 2021 - December 2021
Showcase abilities to work well with others in team environments, especially in data-driven tasks.
Team Data Analyst
ABC University Project
March 2022 - May 2022
These different focuses help you present your experience in a compelling way, even if you’re just starting your career. Each approach highlights unique strengths and shows potential employers what you can bring to the table.
Writing a strong resume objective for a data science intern position can capture the attention of recruiters. Your objective should quickly show your skills, goals, and how you will add value to their company. Avoid vague or generic statements. Instead, be specific about your qualifications and your career aspirations. Use simple language to make it clear and concise.
An applicant can describe themselves well by highlighting their educational background, relevant experience, and career goals clearly. Aim to reflect your passion for data science and how it aligns with the role. Differentiate yourself by mentioning any notable achievements or projects.
A resume objective states your career goals and what you aim to achieve in the role. A resume summary gives a brief overview of your experience and skills. A resume profile combines a summary and objective, offering a snapshot of your qualifications. A summary of qualifications lists your key skills and experiences.
Here is a poorly written resume objective:
This includes no specifics about your skills, experience, or what you bring to the role.
A strong resume objective would look like this:
This clearly states your education, skills, and what you aim to achieve in the role, making it compelling and relevant.
Writing your skills section on a data science intern resume is all about showcasing both your hard and soft skills effectively. Skills can stand alone as a separate section or be woven into other sections like experience and objective. This helps highlight your strengths and capabilities in a clear way that gets noticed.
Strengths and soft skills refer to personal attributes like communication, teamwork, and problem-solving. Hard skills are specific, teachable abilities like programming languages or data analysis techniques.
Skills and strengths can serve as important resume keywords. These keywords help your resume get through Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) and ensure it reaches the hiring manager’s desk. They show what you are good at and what value you can bring to the role.
This skills section is good because it lists relevant skills for a data science intern role. It is direct and concise, making it easy for hiring managers to grasp your capabilities quickly.
Highlighting the right hard skills on your data science intern resume is key. These skills show your technical proficiency and capability to handle the job responsibilities.
Hard Skills
A data science intern should also highlight soft skills. These skills show how well you will fit within a team and manage tasks.
Soft Skills
Embarking on a career in data science is an exciting journey filled with endless possibilities. As an intern, your resume should highlight your skills, qualifications, and enthusiasm for the field. Including well-rounded sections can make your resume stand out to potential employers.
Language section — List languages you speak fluently. This can be useful for international companies or projects. Fluency in multiple languages shows strong communication skills and adaptability. It can also reflect your ability to work with global teams. Even proficiency in a single foreign language is a plus.
Hobbies and interests section — Share activities you enjoy outside work to provide a fuller picture of who you are. Mention hobbies that relate to your analytical skills, such as playing chess or solving puzzles. Include interests that reflect teamwork or leadership, like sports or organizing events. This section can make you more relatable and give interviewers conversation starters.
Certificates section — Highlight any certifications you've earned in data science or related fields. Mention courses like "Python for Data Science" or "Machine Learning," specifying institutions like Coursera or edX. Certificates prove your commitment to learning and staying current in your field. They also demonstrate specialized knowledge and practical skills. Adding this section can bolster your qualifications.
Books section — Point out data science books you’ve read that influenced your knowledge and skills. List titles like "Data Science for Business" or "Python Data Science Handbook." Mentioning books shows your willingness to self-educate outside formal coursework. It reflects your passion for the subject and ongoing dedication to personal growth. This can help distinguish you as a proactive learner.
A cover letter is a document that accompanies your resume when applying for a job. It introduces you to the hiring manager and explains why you are a good fit for the position. Cover letters help applicants by providing a personal touch, highlighting key skills, and demonstrating genuine interest in the role.
For a data science intern, your cover letter should focus on your educational background, relevant coursework, and any hands-on projects or internships. Mention specific skills like Python, R, and machine learning techniques that you have learned. Highlight how your analytical abilities and passion for data align with the company's goals.
Enhance your application by creating your cover letter using Resume Mentor's cover letter builder, which is easy to use and ensures your content and formatting are protected with PDF exporting.
Nora Wright
Fort Worth, Texas
+1-(234)-555-1234
help@resumementor.com
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