resume help uiowa

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Resumes and Cover Letters

Once you’ve evaluated who you are, begin prepping for next steps by starting your resume.

This module includes pages on:

This checklist will help you get started.

• Write or update your resume and have it reviewed during drop-in advising
• When needed, prepare cover letters or other required documents. These can also be reviewed during drop-in advising
• When ready, upload your resume into Handshake so you can begin applying for student employment or internship positions

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University Libraries

• University of Iowa Libraries

Q. Where can I get help composing my curriculum vitae (CV) or resume?

• *UI Libraries
• Business Library
• Engineering Library
• Music Library
• Special Collections & University Archives
• 72 About the Libraries
• 14 Accessibility
• 37 Articles (Journals, Newspapers)
• 9 AudioVisual & Microfilm
• 38 Books & E-books
• 59 Borrowing
• 17 Citations
• 28 Collections
• 22 Course Reserves
• 16 Databases
• 36 Facilities & Equipment
• 5 Government Information
• 21 InfoHawk+
• 7 Information Literacy
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• 6 International Students
• 9 Iowa Research Online
• 6 Library Instruction
• 21 Locations
• 31 Policies
• 48 Research Help
• 4 Sciences Library
• 85 Services
• 14 Special Collections
• 1 Streaming
• 33 Technology

Answered By: Librarian at Main Library Last Updated: Jan 05, 2024     Views: 170

If you'd like in-person assistance with your resume or CV, contact the University of Iowa Pomerantz Career Center .

Get Hired! An Employment Guide For online assistance from the Business Library

Career Resources--Library Job Resources For employment of the School of Library & Information Sciences

LNACC Library Guide . Latino & Native American Cultural Center libraries' liaisons

And from the Main Library reference shelves, Get the Interview Every Time : Fortune 500 Hiring Professsionals’ Tips for Writing Winning Resumes and Cover Letters Main Library Reference Collection, first floor. Call no. HF5383 .G7235 2004

Try this online resource, 2009, from ebrary: http://site.ebrary.com/lib/uiowa/Doc?id=10057388

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Pomerantz Career Center

Online resume & cover letter review opt-in, join handshake.

Careers and Opportunities

Employers regularly report how much they value the research, reading and writing skills gained through a liberal arts education. They consider the ability to communicate with a wide variety of people and to understand the broader context and world in which we live to be very valuable.   Any major in the College of Liberal Arts at The University of Iowa will prepare you for a wide variety of careers. Extra-curricular employment, internships, volunteer projects and activities will shape the particular career path you enter.

Can English majors get jobs?

In 2018 we saw about 18% of English majors go into teaching high school English. Approximately 20% go straight into graduate school (law, medical, MBA, screenwriting, Public Policy, Social Work/Counseling, Higher Education, Masters of Teaching, MFA Creative Writing or PhD English). There are another 5% that report waiting a year and going to graduate school at that point. Almost 60% go into a wide assortment of careers. We know we have some free-lance writers and editors, but most students get paid internships or entry level careers in fields such as fund-raising for non-profits, marketing, sales, public relations, social media management, editing/publishing, advertising or politics. Some employers who hired May 2017 graduates include: WiseInk Creative Publishing, Palgrave MacMillan, ENREACH (teaching English abroad), The Network for Public Health Law, University of Iowa, MidWest One bank, Roll20. 

The key to employment after graduation is NOT your major. The key is to gather a resume and portfolio of real life experiences on and off campus throughout all four years here at Iowa. Use your writing skills at your job, get internships, volunteer to do social media for a student organization. Your passions and your experiences will open doors after college if you keep your mind open.

Grades 7-12

It is seamless process for strong students in the English major or the English and Creative Writing major to get certified to teach high school English. The Teacher's Education Program  (TEP) is a standalong certification program that adds approximately 12 courses to the regular English major and 14 courses to the English and Creative Writing major.  Students doing English and Creative Writing and the TEP may find it necessary to do summer coursework or stay one extra semester. Students usually enter the TEP program in their junior year.  Their entire last semester of senior year is used for ONLY student teaching so all other coursework must be finished by that point. 

Students interested in teaching at the high school level should notify their advisor as soon as they know this interest so they can take the appropriate coursework to apply for admittance to the TEP in October of their junior year. Generally students should have a 3.0 GPA or higher to apply for the TEP.   Students graduating with their certification to teach have a high success of employment by the fall after graduation. 

College: Literature

If you want to teach literature at the college level you will need to earn a PhD in English/Literature.  Our English majors find it rewarding to assist faculty in their research projects as a good way to see if they like the work behind being a professor.  Additionally many of our students going to graduate school pursue honors in the major and write a thesis in their senior year which can then work as a writing submission for their graduation applications. Honors begins in your junior year.  If you love analyzing literature and discussing its impact on the world, this may be the career for you.  Notify your advisor and faculty members that you are interested in this path and they will guide you.  Our graduates are enrolled in PhD programs around the country and often go to work at colleges and universities of all sizes. 

College: Writing

If your true love is creative writing and you believe you would like to teach creative writing at the college level then you will go to graduate school for an MFA degree after finishing your English major.  Your faculty will be able to help you think through which graduate program might be the best fit for your writing skills and interests during your junior year.  You may want to do a senior honors creative writing project in your senior year to submit as a writing sample for graduate programs.  Our graduates are in the best MFA programs around the country in fiction, non-fiction, playwriting and screenwriting.  It can be difficult to find a full-time job as a creative writing professor but if you are a strong student and build good connections with your faculty and peers you will find it easier.  Many of our previous students are teaching or directing writing programs or writing centers around the country.  Some teach part-time while working on their own personal writing endeavors. 

Arts, Media, Entertainment

Editing/publishing.

English majors love words and books so often it makes sense that they will be drawn to the field of editing and publishing.  We offer a publishing track within either major in our department and that five-course track allows students to gain some familiarity with the vocabulary and procedures found in the world of editing.  Often our students interested in publishing will also major or minor in Journalism & Mass Communications.   This is a field that takes awhile to break into and having experience while in college is very valuable. The department offers a couple internships in publishing but we also encourage students to pursue off-campus internships by working with their advisor and the career center. Additionally we expect students to get involved with one of the campus literary publications: Ink Magazine, earthwords, and Fools or The Daily Iowan. There is nothing like hands-on experience to give you that shot at the first post-college entry level position. Students may end up working at book publishing company, magazine publisher, or even editing for a business website or zoo publication. Alum, Eric Sundermann, has landed in New York City as the editor of Noisy while we have alum across the country at other publications. 

Advertising

If students love creative writing and are well aware of their audience and the power of words then we often find them drawn to careers in Advertising.  Heather Wendt (pictured) has opened her own advertising agency.  Students interested in advertising may find themselve picking up an extra major, minor or coursework in such areas as: Communications, Art, or Journalism.   We would encourage them to explore both creative fiction, poetry and non-fiction writing as well as some business writing courses.  They will mostly likely also get involved with the Advertising student organization on campus to learn more about the field. 

Film, TV, Theatre

English and Creative Writing majors who love the arts often double major in Cinema or Theatre and it is not uncommon for them to dream of a career in the "biz".   Some will start by attending graduate school in film or theatre but others will head right off to try their hand at creative writing in one of the industries.  These students are usually involved in side projects while enrolled in undergraduate coursework.  They submit their projects to local and national festivals.

You might find them joining Student Video Productions or EPX.  Alum, Brigid Marshall (pictured) has made her way in L.A. writing and performing comedy. She shared this tidbit after her visit with us: "I think students need to develop a 'special skill' if they intend on truly pursuing a creative passion, writing or otherwise. For example, if they want to write short stories (or fiction, newspaper articles, blogs, what have you) -- it's not going to pay the bills right away, so they need something that allows for a flexible schedule; I would recommend something like learning photoshop, or simple web design, if they don't think they can stomach a job working in sales (ie a day-job). More and more I see the need for skills like that when students come away with degrees like English, which do not have set career paths. Thanks again for having me! Feel free to give my email to students who might find themselves with more questions or want some humor-filled, yet practical advice."​

Business & Entrepreneurship

Administrative.

English majors are often excellent at working on projects independently and have strong organizational and communication skills.  As a result they are often drawn to working in administrative positions.  These positions require writing skills for letters, websites or speeches, they require good communication skills with clients who phone or drop in and they are often flexible positions that can utilize each student's individual strengths.  Graduates might find themselves doing event planning or promotion, maintaining spreadsheets or supervising other workers.   We find our majors do best in this field if they gain experience as an undergraduate.  Possible ways to gain experience or knowledge include: working a student job in a department on campus,  taking free online LYNDA coursework in certain software applications, becoming an officer for a student organization, or doing coursework for the certificates in Event Planning or Non-Profit Management or the minor in Human Relations.  This type of work can often allow our graduates their evenings free to write creatively. 

Marketing/Public Relations

The more outgoing of our English majors often want to take their valuable kills in understanding people and context as well as their writing skills and go into a career in marketing or public relations.  The ability to tell a good story is critical to these careers and our majors are just the right people to tell that story.  They often study both fiction and creative non-fiction writing and may apply these skills in marketing for a business, a sports team or a fine arts venue.   These students are also  encouraged to work in public relations or promotions for their student organizations, to join the Public Relations student organization and to minor or double major in Communications or Journalism.  Rob Cline (pictured) is the Director of Marketing and Communications for Hancher Auditorium and speaks regularly to our English@Work class about his career path.

Management/Entrepreneurship

Occasionally we have students who are big picture thinkers and want to open their own business or manage a small business near and dear to their heart.   The English major has helped them understand larger societal issues, how to communicate well with a diverse population and how to share their ideas verbally and in writing.  These are fabulous skills for a business or non-profit manager.  We encourage students to work in a part-time job related to their interest area, to volunteer with a non-profit that interests them and to explore complementary coursework in Entrepreneurship, Non-Profit Management or Enterprise.   We have graduates who have left and opened their own ice cream store, started a non-profit or run a local arts venue. 

Law & Public Service

The English major is an excellent preparation for law school.  We teach students how to make sense out of complicated readings, how to conduct research, how to articulate their ideas verbally and in writing and to consider the complexity of human relationships in our world and the specific nature of word choice.   Students intending to go to law school will have both their English advisor and a Pre-Law advisor.  They will have the opportunity to participate in a MAPLA law conference on campus or nearby if they ask their advisor about outside opportunities.  It is not unusual for students to consider the area of law that appeals to them and take coursework in that area alongside their English studies.  Those areas may include: Rhetoric, Human Rights, Social Justice, Ethics and Public Policy, Politics or Business Administration minor or Entrepreneurship.   Our majors who go on to law school have reported that they felt well-prepared for the rigor of that program.  We recommend that students considering law school maintain a 3.5 or higher GPA and do honors coursework as well as volunteer work.

Government Positions

Our department prides itself on using the study of literature to understand the power of words and the societal context in which they were written.  As a result our students often think about how they can make a difference in the world and this may lead them into government work.  Sometimes they run for an elected office like David Leshtz (pictured).  Other times they write speeches or work administratively for elected officials.  There are still other graduates working in non-profits to lobby the government, or administratively in office such as the Office of Child Support and Welfare in Washington D.C.  Students interested in government work should volunteer for local causes that matter to them and might consider an internship in Des Moines or Washington D.C.   They will work with the Pomerantz Career Center to locate these opportunities during their junior year.

Non-Profit Writing

English majors tend to enjoy reading about and writing stories about people who have faced challenges or who have contributed to our society.  As a result you will see alum writing creative non-fiction to tell the stories of victime of torture internationally or writing to raise funds to continue cancer research such as Sara Volz (pictured) who is the Director for Development for Opthamology.   Our students interested in writing for non-profits to lobby, write grants, raise awareness or fund-raise are encouraged to do the Fundraising and Philanthropic Certificate and additional coursework as matches their outside interests.   These graduates are often the ones who express their gratitude at holding a position where they can use their writing skills to truly make a difference in the world.

Library Science

The modern day librarian can be found in a public library or a school or a business.   They might be working with young children or students at a law school.  If you love books and media, love research and solving puzzles and don't mind learning new technology, this might be the perfect career for you.  This field requires a master's degree but any undergraduate major will work and English is perfectly suited for it.  You might take some book history courses where you get a chance to work in our University Special Collections. Amy Chen is the English and American Literature Librarian at University Libraries and is a good contact to learn more about the field.

Researchers can be found in libraries, archives, museums and businesses.   If you don't mind researching for long papers and enjoy digging a little deeper or thinking outside the box to find answers this might be a great career for you.

Archival/Museum

Technical writing.

If you also study engineering, science or computer science then you have probably already heard about technical writing as a career option.   But English majors can do internships or jobs in this field as well. The key is to look for experiences on campus or at your job to try this style of writing so you can show it off in your portfolio.  You will then want to seek out an internship.   Examples of technical writing may be as simple as: writing instructions for fellow employees to follow on a new piece of machinery at your part-time job or writing the manual for your student organization.  Think of technical writing as that ability to take something complicated and break it down into clear, organized steps or instructions.  Look for opportunities to volunteer to do this throughout your time in school.

Social Services & Counseling

English majors are often drawn to the human stories in literature.  They are often empathetic, good listeners and interested in how humans interact with one another.  It is not unusual to find them drawn towards helping fields such as counseling or social work after college.  Many double major in Sociology, Social Work, Gender Studies, Psychology, Public Health or minor in Human Relations. 

Student Affairs

Student Affairs or Higher Education is the name of the field for all the professionals who work at a college campus in advising, student activities, orientation, admissions, career services, study abroad, disabilities services, diversity support, and residence life (to name a few offices).  Eventually some of these staff members become Dean of Students or Vice President for Student Affairs.  If you think you might be interested in this field, we recommend you apply to be a resident assistant in the residence hall, run for Residence Hall Government or work as a volunteer or paid student employee of an office that interests you.  Orientation assistants or peer advisors are examples of that type of work.

This field combines people skills, an interest in serving or helping others, strong organizational skills, public speaking or listening skills and often teaching skills.  It requires a master's degree in a related degree (Student Affairs, Higher Education, College Student Personnel,etc.).  The good thing is that this is an easy job to shadow as these professionals are all around you.  No specific undergraduate program is required.

Grant Writing

Most non-profits, whether it is human services or the arts, many school districts, colleges and some hospitals or research facilities hire grant writers to help them fund their efforts.  Grant writing involves researching available grants for the subject matter at hand and gathering the documents or data needed to write a persuasive case for why this group should win a particular grant.   Students interested in this field should take Creative Non-Fiction Writing courses as well as a class in grant writing (offered at Iowa) and might consider minoring in Rhetoric.  Volunteer or apply for internships at non-profits and you will often have the chance to work on a grant or learn about the process.

English majors who want to leave college and devote themselves to counseling others in an agency or private practice need to go to graduate school.  Some will choose a PhD in Psychology, others will choose to get an MA in Counseling or an MSW (Master's of Social Work).   Consult with your advisor to learn the best undergraduate preparation for a given graduate program. While in college consider volunteering for a crisis phone line, applying to be a resident assistant in the halls, or volunteering in the prison system. 

Internships

Employers are more willing to take a risk and hire someone right out of college if you have already proven that you can "do the job" by listing an internship on your resume.  Internships can be paid or unpaid.  Before you begin to look you should decide if and where you can afford to do an unpaid internship or if you need a paid experience.  As a general rule most non-profit, editing and creative internships are unpaid and more sales, marketing and public relations internships may be paid.  You can search for internships through Hire-a-Hawk, LinkedIn or an independent web search.  Use the Career Center to help you shape your search.

English majors are excellent researchers.  All that time in the library and reading dense material and making sense of it will come in handy. You might begin by asking a faculty member if they have a research project with which you could help.  Perhaps you work on campus at the library? Get an internship at a museum. Then you might start doing freelance research for the experience you can list on your resume. 

Student Organizations

There are hundreds of student organizations on campus.  The key is to not load up on many organizations but instead just pick a couple of them that really interest you.  Don't just be a member who shows up to meetings.  Volunteer to lead the group, write their social media with a creative flair, design their marketing or publicity, or write their manual for officers.  This is the perfect chance to take on something new and a little scary and master a new skill and learn how to lead others. In the English Department we have the English Society and ATI (English Honors).  But many of our majors are involved in the Advertising, Public Relations, Pre-Law, or Dance Marathon groups to mention a few.

Starting Your Job Search

Your job search starts your first year of college. What?!  Yes. 

Career readiness begins by gathering real life leadership, research and writing experiences that translate into tangible skills on a resume and open doors when you apply for jobs after college. There are many resources on campus to help you learn how to get started in this process.  The easiest way to get started is to join a student organization or get a part time job.  Then start using the offices and classes available on campus.

English @ Work Class

Each semester the English department offers ENGL 2040: English at Work (1 s.h.).  This course is ideally taken during your sophomore year.   The course gives you time to develop a resume, a LinkedIn account, and to become familiar with the Pomerantz Career Center.  Each semester the course instructor will invite in 4-6 alumni to speak to you about their career journey and offer advice.  All students are encouraged to come and listen to those speakers even if they are not enrolled in ENGL 2040 for that given semester.  

Using the Career Center

The Pomerantz Career Center has many ways to support your internship and job search.

The website offers tips and templates to help you get started with resumes, cover letters or learn more about career options. 

There are peer (student) advisors available on a walk-in basis Monday-Friday 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. These students can review your resume and give you tips or help you get started with LinkedIn job searches.

There are professional career advisors to help you think through the process of the job search that best fits your goals.  Elise Perea and Garry Klein work frequently with English majors.

Alumni Stories

We have alumni working all over the country in creative, non-profit and for-profit industries.  They share their stories in person during ENGL 2040, we have captured videos of them which are available on the computer in 308 EPB, and we will share a bit about a few of them here.  Use LinkedIn to find alumni and get to know them and learn about how they got into their field.

Career Resources for UI Undergraduate Students

The Pomerantz Career Center  provides high-quality resources and services to students, alumni, and employers. The site has information designed to help you move through the various stages of the job search process, including the  Handshake@UIowa website as well as information on upcoming employer visits, internships, and careers after college.

Schedule an Appointment with a Career Advisor :  https://careers.uiowa.edu/coaching Attend a Job, Internship, or Career Fair :  https://careers.uiowa.edu/career-fairs Finding and Creating Internships :  https://careers.uiowa.edu/internships/finding-your-internship Interview Practice :  https://careers.uiowa.edu/mocks Job Search and Resume Basics :  https://careers.uiowa.edu/resumes Post-Graduation Placement Information and Statistics:  https://careers.uiowa.edu/post-grad-data

NOTICE: The University of Iowa Center for Advancement is an operational name for the State University of Iowa Foundation, an independent, Iowa nonprofit corporation organized as a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt, publicly supported charitable entity working to advance the University of Iowa. Please review its full disclosure statement.

Current Students

Undergraduate Career Resources

We've got you..

No matter where you are in your career journey, TCS has resources to help. Visit our resource pages (linked below) for support where you need it most.

Register now for Career Resume Workshop

Published on March 25, 2021

This workshop is being provided by the Graduate Student Success Office in partnership with the UI College of Public Health Career Services Office and is open to graduate and undergraduate students currently enrolled in the College of Public Health.

This virtual workshop will cover the basics of writing a professional resume. From formatting best practices to expert writing tips, learn what public health employers are looking for and how you can write a resume with the best chance of securing a job interview.

• Monday, March 29, 2021
• 12:30-1:30pm
• Zoom Workshop

Register to attend at https://uiowa.joinhandshake.com/events/717648

College of Engineering

Engineering career services: engaging with employers.

Engineering Career Services: Employers

Engineering Career Services and the College of Engineering welcome the opportunity to collaborate with employer partners. We offer comprehensive services to assist you with your recruiting efforts and enhance your visibility on the University of Iowa campus. We invite you to learn about our college and explore the various ways your organization can partner with us for recruiting top engineering talent. One way is to be one of our Fall 2024 Employers of the Week - sign up here !

For more information, contact Alyssa Burks at [email protected] or 319-335-5763 .

"Our aim is to equip Iowa Engineering Students with the tools and resources they need to navigate a changing career landscape"

Engineering Career Fairs

Each year the College of Engineering hosts multiple career fairs. Over 100 companies and 800-1400 students attend each in-person fair.  With the competitive market for engineers, companies that attend our fairs have an advantage in recruiting our engineering students for co-ops, internships and full-time employment. Our most successful employer partnerships engage early and often with Iowa Engineering students.

Fall 2024 In-Person Engineering Career Fair : Thursday, October 10, 11:00am - 4:00pm, at the IMU. Registration is currently open !

Spring 2025 In-Person Engineering Career Fair : Thursday, February 20, 12:00 - 4:00 pm, at the IMU.

Handshake is the University's on-line recruiting system designed to connect students with employers and opportunities. Employers can post internship, co-op, and full-time positions, register for fairs, set-up on-campus interview schedules, search student profiles, and MORE! Registration is free and easy to all employers. Click  HERE  to create your free account and/or log-in.  Tips  and the online training community can be found at:  https://careers.uiowa.edu/handshake .

On-Campus Interviews

The University's on-line recruiting system,  Handshake , makes it easy for employers to post positions with established criteria, receive resumes from qualified students, and select students for interviews.

On-campus interviewing runs from late September through early December in the fall and early February through mid-April in the spring.

Options for on-campus interviewing include:

• Schedules for full-time and/or co-op & internship positions
• Prescreened or open schedules
• Interview time slots of 30, 45 or 60 minutes

Employers can post openings and request an on-campus interview date through  Handshake .

Interviews are held on the 3rd Floor of the Pomerantz Career Center. The  Pomerantz Career Center  offers an employer lounge and over 20 spacious interview suites equipped with a table, chairs and high speed internet access. Rooms vary in size and are designed to accommodate 4-6 people. 

Parking is available in nearby parking ramps or in a lot adjacent to the  Pomerantz Career Center . Employers will be sent parking instructions prior to the scheduled interview date.

Connect with Students

There are many ways to promote your organization and connect with Iowa engineering students aside from career fairs and interviews.  We find most companies tend to have the most success when they have a persistent presence on campus.  We'll work with your company to develop a targeted strategy around your recruiting needs. 

Industry Presentations (Lunch & Learns/Tech Talks/Info Sessions/Departmental Seminars)

Guest speakers from various fields are always welcome to present on campus as a way to educate students about the career paths available within your industry. Teach students what people love about working in your field and what students should do to become marketable candidates.  Bring in engineers to speak to students about tech-related topics and industry trends, informing them about the up-to-the-minute happenings of the tech world.

Meetings with Faculty and Career Services Staff

We invite employers to meet with faculty and staff to learn about the Iowa engineering curriculum and how best to promote your organization to specific majors. These meetings also educate us about your organization and opportunities so that we can better advise students. Faculty are always interested in developing relationships with industry partners to collaborate on student projects and research interests.

Collaboration with Student Organizations

Student organizations often request industry representatives to speak to their groups. With  30+ organizations  in the College of Engineering, we have a variety of industry specific, diversity, and professional organizations. If you have an interest in a particular organization, you can contact them directly, or let us know and we can assist you in making the connection.

Corporate Sponsorship of Programs and Events

Each year organizations act as corporate sponsors for some of our programs and events. Your organization’s name will be included in event advertising, and you will have the option to have representatives present at the event. Our 30 page Career Resource Manual is another opportunity for you to promote your company to students.  Used extensively in one-on-one advising and class presentations, the manuals typically reach 70-80% of our students.

Employer Site Visits

Site visits allow companies to highlight and market your organization to Iowa engineering students. During the visit, employers/alumni typically describe their organization, discuss various career opportunities and their recruiting processes, offer tours and allow exchanges of information between students and company employees.

Mock Interviews/Resume Reviews

Both are a great opportunity for you to provide real job interview experience and feedback to our students while promoting your organization, increasing campus visibility, and cultivating potential future candidates. Employers can create mock interview requests through our  Handshake  system.

At the University of Iowa, we strive for student success. Our goal is for engineering graduates to leave the university equipped with the tools, resources, and connections to thrive in their professional careers. We’re proud to share that 93-98% of our graduates, on average, are employed, continuing their education, or not seeking within 7 months of graduation. Check out our comprehensive outcomes data.

Post-Graduation Dashboard -  https://careers.uiowa.edu/post-graduation-data

The interactive dashboard created by the Pomerantz Career Center shows the breakdowns of what Iowa engineers do after graduation. The dashboard can be filtered by year, college, and major.

Co-op and Internship Program

Fall 2024 In-Person : Thursday, October 10, 11:00am - 4:00pm, at the IMU. Registration will open May 2024. Register here !

Spring 2025 In-Person : Thursday, February 20, 12:00 - 4:00 pm, at the IMU.

Engineering Student Orgs

University Human Resources

Why we all need sunscreen.

“I hate the feeling of it,” the patient adamantly stated as we recommended she start wearing sunscreen to protect herself and her young daughter. She went on to describe the thick white streaks left on her skin after application and how it never seemed to blend in well with her skin tone. As dermatologists, we are not oblivious to the reasons why, despite widespread public health awareness campaigns, some patients still do not want to wear sunscreen. Now, there are also increasing social media misconceptions about sunscreen—particularly regarding who needs to use it, efficacy against preventing skin damage, and its potential side effects. Misconceptions can lead to consequences, including an increased risk of skin damage and skin cancer. It is important to understand that sunscreen is essential for everyone, regardless of skin color.

Understanding Skin Cancer Risk

In our clinics and in Mohs surgery, we have seen patients of all races and ethnicities get skin cancer. Although it is reported that patients with darker skin have a decreased risk of skin cancer compared to those with lighter skin, they have a higher risk of morbidity and mortality from skin cancer. Further, skin cancer in people with darker skin tones is often diagnosed at a more advanced stage, leading to poorer outcomes and larger skin cancer sizes. According to the Skin Cancer Foundation,  Black patients with melanoma have an estimated five-year melanoma survival rate of 71% vs 94% for white patients.

The Role of Sunscreen

Sunscreen plays a significant role in protecting the skin from harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation. UV rays can damage DNA in the skin cells, leading to the development of skin cancer. UV radiation is harmful to the skin, regardless of whether it comes from natural sunlight, or artificial UV from and has been identified as a carcinogen by the World Health Organization tanning beds. Also, UV exposure can lead to formation of dark spots or hyperpigmentation and early signs of aging.

Popular Sunscreen Misconceptions 

“Sunscreen is harmful and full of chemicals.” There are many people discussing the potential harms of sunscreen in social media. Although some who are concerned about the ingredients in sunscreen, there are many formulations available. A great formulation such as mineral sunscreen uses zinc oxide or titanium dioxide , which are considered safe and effective. When the physical sunscreen particles are broken down into smaller pieces (micronized), the sunscreen may also be easier to wear.

“Darker skin doesn’t need sunscreen.” False. Melanin provides some protection against UV radiation, but it is not enough to prevent skin damage, hyperpigmentary disorders, and, and in some cases, cancer. Sunscreen helps to provide additional protection. Some sunscreens that are less likely to leave a thick white film are ones such as Black Girl Sunscreen, LaRoche-Posay Toleriane Double Repair UV SPF Moisturizer, Cerave Hydrating Sheer Sunscreen, Neutrogena Hydroboost, and EltaMD UV Clear. Also some sunscreen makers have different tinted shades that blend in better with different skin tones. 

“Sunscreen is only necessary on sunny days.” False. UV radiation penetrates clouds even when it is cloudy so we suggest patients still wear sunscreen on these days. 

“More expensive sunscreen offers better protection.” False. The protective quality of sunscreen is depended on the SPF number. Excellent sunscreens can be found at an economical price. 

Recommendations for Sunscreen Use

• Broad-Spectrum Protection : Choose a sunscreen that offers broad-spectrum protection against both UVA and UVB rays.
• SPF 30-50 or Higher : Most people do not use a large enough volume of sunscreen to obtain the SPF number on the bottle. Therefore, we recommend using a sunscreen with a high SPF to make sure you are getting adequate protection 
• Consistent Application : Apply sunscreen generously and reapply every two hours, or more often if swimming or sweating.
• Everyday Use : Make sunscreen application an easy daily habit. Put in near the door or near your bathroom counter where you can see it and integrate it into your routine—maybe next to your deodorant!
• Explore Formulations : Some prefer spray on or creams while children may be more independent with roll-on or sunscreen sticks.

As dermatologists, we want to help dispel the myths about sunscreen use to prevent skin damage and reduce the risk of skin cancer across all populations. By understanding the importance of sunscreen and adopting it into daily routines, everyone, regardless of background, can protect their skin and enjoy better long-term health.

For more information on the importance of sunscreen and skin cancer prevention, please visit the American Academy of Dermatology’s website or consult with a dermatologist at the University of Iowa.

Three Additional Northwest Iowa Counties Now Eligible for Disaster Unemployment Assistance

• Friday, July 19, 2024
• Press Release

Iowa Workforce Development Communications For Immediate Release Date: July 19, 2024 Contact: Jesse Dougherty Telephone: 515-725-5487 Email:  [email protected]

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Three Additional Northwest Iowa Counties Now Eligible Disaster Unemployment Assistance  New Counties Join Those Already Eligible for Benefits Following June Storms and Flooding. 

DES MOINES, IOWA – Three additional Northwest Iowa Counties have been added to the list of places where individuals are eligible for Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) following severe weather last month. Iowa Workforce Development is now accepting applications for DUA from individuals in Dickinson, Humboldt, and Palo Alto Counties whose employment or self-employment was lost or interrupted due to severe storms, straight-line winds, tornadoes, and/or flooding stemming from weather that began on June 16.

Previous announcements had already made such benefits available to residents in Buena Vista, Cherokee, Clay, Emmet, Lyon, O’Brien, Plymouth, Sioux, and Woodbury Counties. Impacted individuals can start applying today. Applications for this DUA must be filed by August 23, 2024.

Eligibility

To be eligible for DUA benefits under Presidential Disaster Declaration FEMA-[DR-4796-IA], individuals:

• Must be an unemployed or self-unemployed worker whose unemployment was caused as a direct result of the major disaster declared by the President; and
• Must be a U.S. national or a qualified alien; and
• Must be unable to qualify for regular unemployment insurance benefits from any state; and
• Must have worked, been self-employed in, or been scheduled to begin work or self-employment in one of the counties listed above; and
• Must establish that the work or self-employment they can no longer perform was their primary source of income.

Also eligible to apply for DUA are individuals who:

• Can no longer work or perform services because of physical damage or destruction to their place of employment as a direct result of a disaster; or
• Cannot perform work or self-employment because of an injury caused as a direct result of the disaster; or
• Became the breadwinner or major support of a household because of the death of the head of the household; or
• Cannot work or perform self-employment due to closure of a facility by the federal government.

What You Need

• Individuals will need their Social Security Number and the name and address of their last employer or prospective employer to file for DUA. 
• Applicants are required to provide proof (at the time of filing or within 21 days of filing their DUA claim) that they were employed or self-employed at the time the disaster occurred or were scheduled to begin (or resume) a job or self-employment when the disaster occurred. 
• A copy of the most recent federal income tax forms or check stubs may also be required (self-employed individuals should also provide Schedules SE and Schedule C or Schedule F).

Applications filed after August 23, 2024, will be considered untimely, unless the individual provides good cause for filing after this date. Individuals can receive up to 27 weeks of DUA benefits as long as his/her unemployment continues to be a result of the disaster. Eligibility for DUA benefits will be determined on a week-to-week basis.

How To Apply

Individuals who may be eligible for assistance, must file a claim online with  Iowa Workforce Development’s Unemployment Benefits Online Application System (workforce. iowa.gov).   

If assistance is needed over the phone, please call IWD Customer Service at 1-866-239-0843, 8:00 am – 4:30 pm Monday through Friday. After a claim application has been submitted, refer to the additional DUA information on our website: Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) .