Alumni Hub

Close Up is a proud educational partner of the Trust for the National Mall, and we were thrilled to work together to mark the anniversary of the 1963 March on Washington, when Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his “I Have a Dream” speech from the steps of the Lincoln Memorial. 

Check out the latest Mall Moment on the National Mall Gateway, a digital learning platform created by the Trust and the National Park Service to bring the Mall to life. There you’ll find the incredible story of the Scottsdale Six—a group of Close Up students who used the citizenship skills they practiced with us to make a monumental change. Together, they led a nationwide campaign to design and fund the “Legacy of Lincoln” exhibit beneath the Lincoln Memorial, recognizing it as a symbol of freedom and equality that has inspired Americans for generations. 

We’re going into a new school year feeling incredibly proud of the many Close Up students who have chosen to lead their own deliberative discussions with peers and earn our Advanced Deliberative Dialogue Badge! We can’t wait to see what this year’s badge-earners accomplish! 

“I contributed to a climate of respect by actively listening to each member of the group, acknowledging different viewpoints, and responding thoughtfully instead of dismissing ideas either I disagreed with or that went against the majority opinion while we deliberated. … When disagreement rose, I honed in on the reasoning behind each perspective and helped keep discussions centered on the topic rather than personal opinions.” 

—Felix, Close Up Alum, California 

• Don’t forget the basics! Include contact information like your address, phone number, and email.   
• Don’t simply list the responsibilities of a past job; use action verbs to describe what you did in the role. Highlight the skill used, not the task performed.  
• In addition to work experience, list any scholarships, academic accolades, or extracurricular organizations.  
• List valuable skills, such as proficiency in a particular computer program or the ability to speak more than one language.  
• Keep it concise. Don’t overwhelm employers with details. Help them focus on the important information.  
• Consider the format. Keep your resume clear and organized to keep the reader’s attention.  
• Use formal language. Avoid using personal pronouns like “I” or “we.”  
• Proofreading is essential! Consider having a friend or parent look over your resume to catch any errors you may have missed.