Reflective Practice: Curriculum Vitae

What is a Curriculum Vitae?

While your résumé is an objective summary of your skills and achievements, the curriculum vitae (which translates to “course of life”) is written with a focus on working in academia and your academic history.

Many CVs focus on the primary criteria by which tenure judgments are made. Community college instructors might include teaching, advising, curriculum development, and institutional committee work, whereas instructors at four-year colleges and universities would also include research. CVs can also include publications, presentations, invited lectures, and other contributions to your discipline or field of study.

In "The Curriculum Vitae: An Introduction Presenting and Promoting Your Academic Career," Dr. Angela M. Nelson identifies seven essential components for the CV:

1. Identification and Contact Information
2. Educational Information
3. Academic and/or Work Experience
4. Teaching Activity
5. Research/Scholarship/Creative Activity
6. Service and Citizenship Activity
7. Miscellaneous Topics

The Curriculum Vitae: An Introduction to Presenting and Promoting Your Academic Career [PDF] - Angela M. Nelson

This cleverly designed document identifies seven essential components for the CV as well as valuable formatting and writing considerations and a template, and a select bibliography.

Writing the Curriculum Vitae - Purdue Online Writing Lab

Purdue's well-respected OWL provides straightforward advice for those creating their first CV and addresses what you should include, formatting considerations, and writing strategies common to CV development.

Curriculum Vitae Guide - Walden University, Career Planning and Development

This guide provides "How To" instructions on organizing and formatting your CV and includes examples of common CV sections. 

8 Tips to Improve Your CV - Chronicle of Higher Education

Chronicle columnist Leonard Cassuto provides suggestions for presenting a CV that does more than just list your academic achievements.