A New Kind of Résumé
You just spent years juggling classes, campus leadership, and everything in between. Now that it’s finally time to apply for internships, jobs, or grad school, you’re expected to fit all of that experience into a single page. And yet, even when your résumé looks polished and professional, it still might not feel like you.
I’m sure you’ve thought: How can I present not just what I’ve done, but who I am?
I know that feeling well. And if you’re here, I don’t think it’s by accident.
It all started the summer before my daughter Morgan’s senior year of college. She had worked hard, made the most of her time at SMU, and was ready to start thinking about the next step after graduation. But when we sat down to talk about applications, she said something I’ll never forget:
“It just feels like I blend in.”
She wasn’t wrong. So many students have the grades, the experience, the leadership. But that doesn’t mean they’re the same. And I knew there had to be a better way to help her stand out—and feel proud of what she was sharing.
That’s when we started building what would become the Digital Résumé.
It began as a simple idea between a mom and daughter. One conversation turned into a vision board, a photoshoot, and a website that brought her personality and goals to life. And eventually, a new way to present yourself to the world.
In this blog, I’m walking you through exactly how Morgan’s Digital Résumé came to life—and how yours can, too. You’ll hear from both of us as we walk through the process step by step. And if you’ve ever felt like your résumé doesn’t tell the full story, I hope this gives you a new way to think about what’s possible.
All about the Digital Résumé: A Q&A
Q: So… what is a Digital Résumé?
Angie: It’s what I like to call a modern-day résumé—a Digital Résumé is your personal website. You’ll have your own custom URL that can be shared, whether you are applying for a summer internship or are a graduating senior looking to land your first job after graduation. Or, in my daughter’s case, you want to continue your education.
Unlike a LinkedIn page or static PDF, it’s a space you own and can easily update in real time—no need to resend new versions every time something changes. It’s designed to showcase your brand, your voice, and your work all in one place.
Q: What inspired you to create this?
Angie: I kept seeing students with incredible experiences who were still struggling to stand out. They had the internships, the leadership, the grades, but so did everyone else. I wanted to create something that gave them space to show who they really are. And that’s exactly what the Digital Résumé does.
Q: Why even create one?
Morgan: Because you’re probably doing more than your résumé gives you credit for! My classmates all had great grades, internships, and leadership roles. I wanted something that felt like me and showed my personality. This gave me a way to tell my story and stand out.
A collaborative, confidence-building process
Q: What’s the first step once someone signs on?
Angie: We start with a simple branding questionnaire to get to know you, like your interests, colors, personality, vision. From there, we create a custom branding guide that includes your fonts, color palette, and signature style.
From there, we bring the fun, infusing your personality into every part of your website. That includes a curated photoshoot that captures who you are, all pulled together into a fully custom-designed site. 💛
Q: Did anything surprise you about the process?
Morgan: I didn’t expect it to feel this personal. I thought we were just building a website, but I ended up learning so much about what I value and how I want to present myself. It helped me figure out what I want, not just what I’ve done.
Q: Do students write their website themselves?
Angie: They certainly can! If writing is your thing, go for it. If not, we will guide you through it. The goal is to make sure your digital résumé sounds like you. Honest, clear, and confident!
Built to be shared, updated, and used again and again
Q: How do you actually use your Digital Résumé now that it’s live?
Morgan: I use it everywhere. I have shared it in internship emails, LinkedIn messages, added it to my Instagram and TikTok profiles, airdropped it at networking events, and even put it on job applications.
One time, I was at a cocktail party where I met someone who shared that they were looking for a Marketing Coordinator. The following morning, I sent a casual text message and included my website. It is so easy to share!
Q: Who is this really for?
Angie: The Digital Résumé is for students who want something more personal and meaningful than a standard résumé. Whether you’re applying for internships, joining student orgs, building your portfolio, or just trying to figure out what’s next, your story matters. And, the more unique and intentional you present yourself and showcase your skill sets, the better your outcome will be.
Most of the students I’ve worked with have backgrounds in marketing, communications, journalism, public relations, or other creative fields. However, it’s not limited to that. No matter what field you’re in—or how much experience you think you have—you have something valuable to share. Together, we’ll figure out the best way to write it.
A step-by-step look at the Digital Résumé process
When a student signs on for a Digital Résumé, we don’t start with a template. We begin by learning about your background, your strengths, and how you want to present yourself.
The first step is a branding questionnaire that’s meant to help us get to know who you are. I ask about your favorite colors, your style, and how you want someone to feel when they land on your website. Your answers help shape everything we create from there.
“I’d never thought of myself as a brand before,” Morgan told me.
“But those questions helped me figure out how I wanted people to feel when they landed on my site. It made me see myself differently.”
Once your branding direction is clear, we move into the copy. (Copy is just a fancy word for words—it’s all the writing that will appear on your site!) This is where we really start to shape your voice and build the story behind your experiences. Whether you write it yourself or want some support, we work together to make sure it feels honest and confident.
“I thought writing the copy would be the hardest part,” says Morgan. “But my mom and her team helped me talk about myself in a way that didn’t feel awkward or braggy. It actually made me feel proud.”
Next comes the fun—your photos! We help you plan a branded shoot with a personalized shot list and guidance on what to wear and how to make it feel like you. Whether you’re in a studio or taking lifestyle shots outdoors, this is the part where everything starts to come together.
Once we have your branding, copy, and images, we build your site with a focus on keeping it modern, clean, and easy to navigate. The goal is to create something you’re proud to share—something that reflects who you are, resonates with hiring professionals, and makes it easy for them to explore your work.
“Seeing it all click was honestly so exciting,” Morgan said. “The whole thing felt professional but still totally me.”
Let this serve as a reminder—throughout this entire process, you never have to figure any of this out alone. Something I always like to say is there’s no problem we can’t figure out. We take it one step at a time—together. 💛
Real questions students are asking
Q: What if I don’t have much on my résumé?
Morgan: I was nervous about this, too. I had a few internships and leadership roles, but it didn’t feel like enough. They helped me connect the dots and made it all feel more complete in a way that felt honest.
Q: What do people say when they see your Digital Résumé?
Morgan: The first thing people say is how clean and professional it looks. But I’ve also had mentors and recruiters tell me, “I feel like I really know you now.” That’s what makes this different. It tells your story in a way that you can’t really explain in a PDF.
Q: What if I don’t know what I want to do yet?
Angie: That’s completely okay. Most students don’t have it all figured out, and honestly, that’s not the goal. This process helps you get clear on what matters to you and how to talk about it. You don’t need a five-year plan to create a Digital Résumé—you just need a willingness to start!
How students are using their Digital Résumé
Once your site is live, there are so many ways to share it. Some students add it to their email signature or Instagram bio. Others include it in job and internship applications, share it at networking events, or print a QR code on a business card for easy scanning. It’s also a great link to drop into a LinkedIn message or follow-up email after meeting someone.
Don’t think of it as a one-time document. As you grow, your site grows with you. You can update it anytime—whether you’ve gained new experience, changed your focus, or added fresh work.
The best part is you never have to resend it. Anyone who already has your link can revisit it at any time to see the most up-to-date version of you.
See what your résumé could look like
Let Morgan’s Digital Résumé be a strong example of what can happen when you present your story in a way that’s personal and thoughtful.
If you’ve been wondering how this might look in real life, her site is a great place to begin. You don’t have to imagine the possibilities—you can see them for yourself!
And just so you know, I’m really glad you’re here, and I can’t wait to see how you choose to show up.
View Morgan’s Digital Résumé.
