Resumes: the Whitney Way
Jul 6, 2010

Writing the word "resumé"on a whiteboard.

YI gets down to business, brainstorming ideas for what should be included on a resume, July 2010. Photograph by Diane Exavier

Writing the word "resumé"on a whiteboard.

After an exciting first week with trips to Recess and the Keith Haring Foundation, it was time for YI to settle down back home at the Whitney.

This week, we were all given the opportunity to create our own resumes. One of the first things we did was split up into four groups with the task of advertising one person in our group, presenting their qualities and accomplishments in a way that would seem appealing to an employer.


After that short exercise, we shared our own ideas on exactly what it takes to make a resume. We also went around the table and shared potential job interests and the skills that were needed for that job. After getting a taste of what a resume was and working on formatting our own, we were given a chance to “experience the other side” by pretending to be employers looking at mock resumes, trying to see who we would hire. Again, we split up into our groups and were given two resumes each. Our goal was to see the pros and cons of each. We also made another list in even more detail, highlighting all of the things that a good resume should contain. After this short exercise, we continued to work on our own resumes.

Two Whitney Museum staff members sit at a table with cups and fruit on it.

YI Natasha and Katie discuss the makings of an excellent job candidate, July 2010. Photograph by Diane Exavier

Two Whitney Museum staff members sit at a table with cups and fruit on it.

Overall, this was a very helpful day because we were able to stray away from art a little bit and focus on ourselves and our potential careers. We also learned about resumes in a very creative style: the Whitney way.

By Sitora