Dear avid readers of my blog,
You may have noticed that I haven't written a new post here since September. I am not sitting idle. During the last month, I have been pouring my writing energies into the launch of the new Student Branding Blog, where I am a contributing writer.
I would encourage you to check out the Student Branding Blog, which features career development and personal branding advice from a diverse cross-section of accomplished career advisers and current students. Best of all, the content is designed specifically for students, so you will likely find a lot of relevant information. Some highlights include:
Leveraging Your Fraternity/Sorority Network in the Job Search, by me
Company Research: The Key to Acing an Interview, by Kelly Cuene
The Youngster of the Multigenerational Workforce, by Lanie James
I plan on continuing to update this blog as time allows. If there is interest, I would like to use this blog to feature first-hand stories of SU students and recent grads who are in the process of looking for jobs, or who have successfully found employment. If you are interested in writing a guest blog entry of this sort, please e-mail me.
Take care! Please feel free to comment with suggestions for topics you would like to see covered here or on the Student Branding Blog.
Saturday, November 7, 2009
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Resumes: use meaningful headings
When you walk into my office for a resume critique, nine times out of ten I will recommend re-naming the headings on your resume. Headings are important; they guide the reader's attention through the page.
By using a generic heading like "Experience," you are missing out on an opportunity to emphasize the relevance of your previous positions or projects. For instance, if you are applying for a software development job, why not use "Software Development Experience" to draw attention to your experience in that area? Or if you are applying for a public relations position, try using "Communications Experience" or even "Public Relations Experience," so that the employer immediately sees your relevant experience.
This small change should result in a much more focused resume.
By using a generic heading like "Experience," you are missing out on an opportunity to emphasize the relevance of your previous positions or projects. For instance, if you are applying for a software development job, why not use "Software Development Experience" to draw attention to your experience in that area? Or if you are applying for a public relations position, try using "Communications Experience" or even "Public Relations Experience," so that the employer immediately sees your relevant experience.
This small change should result in a much more focused resume.
Monday, September 28, 2009
Resumes: Why Numbers Are Necessary
After a year of looking at resumes and helping students prepare for the job search, it is my opinion that you need to be told when your resume is not doing you justice. In this series of posts, I will point out some common resume mistakes, and a few quick things you can do to remedy them.
One thing I want to discuss is numbers. Last week, I was working with a good friend of mine, who is very involved in the community and quite accomplished in many aspects of his life. His experience, skill sets, and achievements would be impressive to almost any employer or graduate program -- but the depth of his experience was not fully coming across on his resume. His problem? Lack of numbers.
Recruiters like to see numbers - and for good reason. Numbers allow someone who is not personally familiar with you to understand the magnitude of your experiences. Whether you list the number of hours you worked, the number of people in the audience to which you presented, or the number of employees you supervised, this quantitative data helps employers paint a fuller picture of you in their heads.
Some examples of incorporating numbers in a meaningful way: leading a student organization of X number of people, working X number of hours per week, volunteering at a community service agency X number of hours per week for X number of years, mentoring X number of students for X period of time, and the list goes on.
To stand out from people who have weaker experience (or who may embellish their involvements), it is imperative that you quantify whenever possible. A crafty wordsmith can turn a one-time volunteer session at the soup kitchen into a life-long passion for community service. Similarly, a fraternity president can artfully discuss all of the management skills he uses to run his organization without ever disclosing that his chapter has only five brothers. If you've volunteered at the soup kitchen three times per week for the last five years, or if you preside over a fraternity of 80 members, you need to use numbers to illustrate the magnitude of your experience and get an edge on your competitors.
In fields where you are expected to achieve results, numbers are particularly important. For instance, as a marketing or PR major you need to illustrate the impact that you had on the bottom line. A weak resume might read, "Implemented a comprehensive marketing plan to promote XYZ annual event," while a stronger one would say "Implemented a comprehensive marketing plan to promote XYZ annual event, resulting in a 40% increase in event attendance among the target demographic and 35% increase in revenues." With those few additional words you take your resume to the next level, showing quantifiable results that you are capable of achieving.
One thing I want to discuss is numbers. Last week, I was working with a good friend of mine, who is very involved in the community and quite accomplished in many aspects of his life. His experience, skill sets, and achievements would be impressive to almost any employer or graduate program -- but the depth of his experience was not fully coming across on his resume. His problem? Lack of numbers.
Recruiters like to see numbers - and for good reason. Numbers allow someone who is not personally familiar with you to understand the magnitude of your experiences. Whether you list the number of hours you worked, the number of people in the audience to which you presented, or the number of employees you supervised, this quantitative data helps employers paint a fuller picture of you in their heads.
Some examples of incorporating numbers in a meaningful way: leading a student organization of X number of people, working X number of hours per week, volunteering at a community service agency X number of hours per week for X number of years, mentoring X number of students for X period of time, and the list goes on.
To stand out from people who have weaker experience (or who may embellish their involvements), it is imperative that you quantify whenever possible. A crafty wordsmith can turn a one-time volunteer session at the soup kitchen into a life-long passion for community service. Similarly, a fraternity president can artfully discuss all of the management skills he uses to run his organization without ever disclosing that his chapter has only five brothers. If you've volunteered at the soup kitchen three times per week for the last five years, or if you preside over a fraternity of 80 members, you need to use numbers to illustrate the magnitude of your experience and get an edge on your competitors.
In fields where you are expected to achieve results, numbers are particularly important. For instance, as a marketing or PR major you need to illustrate the impact that you had on the bottom line. A weak resume might read, "Implemented a comprehensive marketing plan to promote XYZ annual event," while a stronger one would say "Implemented a comprehensive marketing plan to promote XYZ annual event, resulting in a 40% increase in event attendance among the target demographic and 35% increase in revenues." With those few additional words you take your resume to the next level, showing quantifiable results that you are capable of achieving.
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Stories from the Career Fair
I encountered more than 2,000 students yesterday as they walked into the Syracuse University Career Fair. Their dispositions ranged from ultra nervous to pushy to relaxed. Their outfits were similarly diverse; some arrived looking like they just rolled out of bed, while many dressed in full business suits. One young woman wore a prom dress. In seeing so many of these students as they checked in, I came to some generalizations about what works and what doesn't at the Career Fair.
Rudeness to Career Services staff. This does not work. I was surprised by the number of students who were rude and otherwise ungrateful towards me and my colleagues. While I understand that our sign-in procedures may delay your entrance to the fair by 30 seconds or so, that is no excuse for you to snap at the people who host an event that is ultimately benefitting you. Plus, I'm willing to bet that if you are rude to us, you are also projecting some of that nasty attitude to the employers with whom you speak. Does an employer really want to hire someone who acts entitled and unkind?
Volunteering. This does work. Every year our office solicits students to help out with unloading boxes, walking employers to their tables, and otherwise making the Career Fair a smooth- running process for everyone involved. This year we had 70+ students volunteer. Having this behind-the-scenes exposure to employers can give you a huge opportunity to network. Yesterday, we were so impressed with one of our student volunteers that we offered her an internship in our office!
Bizarre outfits. This does not work. An unusual appearance is typically not a great way to attract positive attention from a prospective employer. Yesterday we saw someone in a full business suit and fluffy slippers, a girl in a prom dress, and more than one student in sweatpants. When you join an organization you are expected to fit into the existing corporate culture and hierarchy, and match existing norms. By not picking up on the appropriate attire for a Career Fair, you are indicating that perhaps you won't be able to fit in appropriately with the company either. If you show up to the Career Fair in slippers, maybe you'll come to a staff meeting with the senior VP wearing pajama pants.
Delivering a 10-minute speech to the recruiters. This does not work. While I am all about preparing a short intro and questions to ask, you should not plan out a full narrative. My friend at a top-ranked financial services firm told me that a student approached her, said hello, then recited a 10-minute speech that she had memorized. The student asked no questions, then politely said "Thank you for your time" and handed off her resume at the end. Career Fairs are meant to be interactive -- they are meant to spark conversations. By simply talking at the recruiter, you are not taking full advantage of the event (and you're creating an incredibly awkward 10 minutes for the employer rep.)
Resume quirks. This sometimes works. As students dropped their resumes off at the entrance to the Fair, I took a glance at several. One thing that I liked was students in technical fields showcasing some of their non-technical interests. Seeing a resume full of C++, html, java apps, and then "Interests: competitive croquet, romance novels" is actually kind of funny, and makes me see the candidate as a whole, well-rounded person who might be nice to work with. There were other quirks, however, that reflected a lack of understanding of standard resume traditions in the U.S.; I saw these mainly on the resumes of international students. For instance, some listed height, weight, and "father's name," which I understand to be common in India. Others had "RESUME" written in big, bold letters at the top of the page. If you're seeking to work at a U.S. company, you should try to conform to the resume conventions of this country. The good news is that it is fairly easy to change some of these things; if you make a quick trip to Career Services, we can help.
I look forward to connecting with my fellow staff members and hearing more stories from yesterday. Kelly Lux has already promised a blog post on this topic. Stay tuned.
Rudeness to Career Services staff. This does not work. I was surprised by the number of students who were rude and otherwise ungrateful towards me and my colleagues. While I understand that our sign-in procedures may delay your entrance to the fair by 30 seconds or so, that is no excuse for you to snap at the people who host an event that is ultimately benefitting you. Plus, I'm willing to bet that if you are rude to us, you are also projecting some of that nasty attitude to the employers with whom you speak. Does an employer really want to hire someone who acts entitled and unkind?
Volunteering. This does work. Every year our office solicits students to help out with unloading boxes, walking employers to their tables, and otherwise making the Career Fair a smooth- running process for everyone involved. This year we had 70+ students volunteer. Having this behind-the-scenes exposure to employers can give you a huge opportunity to network. Yesterday, we were so impressed with one of our student volunteers that we offered her an internship in our office!
Bizarre outfits. This does not work. An unusual appearance is typically not a great way to attract positive attention from a prospective employer. Yesterday we saw someone in a full business suit and fluffy slippers, a girl in a prom dress, and more than one student in sweatpants. When you join an organization you are expected to fit into the existing corporate culture and hierarchy, and match existing norms. By not picking up on the appropriate attire for a Career Fair, you are indicating that perhaps you won't be able to fit in appropriately with the company either. If you show up to the Career Fair in slippers, maybe you'll come to a staff meeting with the senior VP wearing pajama pants.
Delivering a 10-minute speech to the recruiters. This does not work. While I am all about preparing a short intro and questions to ask, you should not plan out a full narrative. My friend at a top-ranked financial services firm told me that a student approached her, said hello, then recited a 10-minute speech that she had memorized. The student asked no questions, then politely said "Thank you for your time" and handed off her resume at the end. Career Fairs are meant to be interactive -- they are meant to spark conversations. By simply talking at the recruiter, you are not taking full advantage of the event (and you're creating an incredibly awkward 10 minutes for the employer rep.)
Resume quirks. This sometimes works. As students dropped their resumes off at the entrance to the Fair, I took a glance at several. One thing that I liked was students in technical fields showcasing some of their non-technical interests. Seeing a resume full of C++, html, java apps, and then "Interests: competitive croquet, romance novels" is actually kind of funny, and makes me see the candidate as a whole, well-rounded person who might be nice to work with. There were other quirks, however, that reflected a lack of understanding of standard resume traditions in the U.S.; I saw these mainly on the resumes of international students. For instance, some listed height, weight, and "father's name," which I understand to be common in India. Others had "RESUME" written in big, bold letters at the top of the page. If you're seeking to work at a U.S. company, you should try to conform to the resume conventions of this country. The good news is that it is fairly easy to change some of these things; if you make a quick trip to Career Services, we can help.
I look forward to connecting with my fellow staff members and hearing more stories from yesterday. Kelly Lux has already promised a blog post on this topic. Stay tuned.
Sunday, September 20, 2009
How to stand out at the Career Fair
For the last couple weeks I've been eating Career Fair. I've been sleeping, only to be awakened with thoughts of recruiters and students and networking and Career Fair. During the day at work, I'm creating ads for Career Fair and helping students sharpen their resumes for Career Fair. In the evening, I'm giving workshops to fraternities and sororities and residence halls about how to prepare for Career Fair. My life has been consumed with Career Fair. (For those that aren't in the know: the SU Career Fair is coming up on Tuesday, Sept. 22.)
The question I've been asked most often is this: "Employers see hundreds of students at the Career Fair. What can I do to stand out from the crowd?"
1. Preparation is key. Walking into a Career Fair without a specific plan of action is a disastrous idea. At Syracuse University, we offer a list of participating companies on our website, as well as a huge PDF file that profiles the recruiting needs of each organization. Before going to the fair, try identifying between 5-10 organizations that you are interested in, then research everything about these employers and the positions for which they are recruiting. "Here's my resume...what kind of internship do you think I'd be good for?" is a weak question to ask a recruiter. Instead, research what they have to offer, and come up with a compelling reason why you would be a good fit for one of their positions. Your preparation shows that you are interested in their specific organization, not just wandering to all of the booths and trying to strike up conversation with whichever recruiters will talk to you.
2. Be articulate. This was awkward for me at first, but try to come up with a 30-second introduction of yourself. An introduction typically includes your name, course of study, an idea of your previous experience and what opportunities you'd like to pursue at Company X. "My name is Shandra Resume. I go to Syracuse and I'm majoring in psychology and advertising. This past summer I interned with Company Y, where I assisted the store's buyer and helped manage logistics for a charity fashion show. I'm really interested in the retail industry and think that your Event Coordinator position would be a great fit for my skills." This introduction, combined with a strong handshake and nice eye contact, immediately projects an image of confidence and direction. It also gives the recruiter a prompt to start asking questions.
When it is your turn to ask a question, take the conversation past the surface level of "What's it like working for Company X?" to "I see that Company X is starting to incorporate social media into its overall marketing strategy, with a Twitter page and an interactive community on its website. What plans does the company have to grow social media marketing in the future? If I am selected for this internship, would I have an opportunity to contribute to this project?" By having questions prepared ahead of time and articulating them in an intelligent manner, you are inviting meaningful conversation with the recruiter and reaffirming your genuine interest in the organization.
3. Looks matter. Your appearance plays a huge role in how people perceive you. A good rule is not to let anything about your appearance distract the employer from the words coming out of your mouth. This means no wacky hair styles, flashy earrings, revealing outfits, prominent tattoos, or facial piercings. Take extra care to groom yourself that morning; a sloppy or disheveled appearance can ruin your chances with an employer. You're applying for a job at a world-renowned company - you need to look the part.
4. Follow-up is crucial. After making a connection at the Career Fair, be sure to get the recruiter's business card so that you can keep in touch. I recommend sending a note within a day of the Career Fair, thanking the recruiter for his/her time and touching upon something from your conversation. Maybe you mentioned that you were a huge fan of a particular basketball team, or perhaps you realized that you both have family living in a certain obscure town. Referencing a small detail like this in your note will help the recruiter remember who you are. Also, before ending your conversation at the Career Fair, find out exactly how the recruiting process works for that company. Should you be expecting a phone call within two weeks? Do you need to take an additional step (ie submit your resume online) before being considered? It's great that you had a solid conversation at the Career Fair, but getting this final information is crucial in being able to convert that conversation into an extended interview and eventually an internship or job.
Standing out at the Career Fair isn't about wearing a flashy outfit or asking provocative questions. It's about being professional -- from your preparation to the way you phrase questions to how you dress and the way you follow-up.
I want to hear your career fair stories; feel free to post in the comments section. If you're an SU student, I especially want to hear about your experience on Tuesday!
The question I've been asked most often is this: "Employers see hundreds of students at the Career Fair. What can I do to stand out from the crowd?"
1. Preparation is key. Walking into a Career Fair without a specific plan of action is a disastrous idea. At Syracuse University, we offer a list of participating companies on our website, as well as a huge PDF file that profiles the recruiting needs of each organization. Before going to the fair, try identifying between 5-10 organizations that you are interested in, then research everything about these employers and the positions for which they are recruiting. "Here's my resume...what kind of internship do you think I'd be good for?" is a weak question to ask a recruiter. Instead, research what they have to offer, and come up with a compelling reason why you would be a good fit for one of their positions. Your preparation shows that you are interested in their specific organization, not just wandering to all of the booths and trying to strike up conversation with whichever recruiters will talk to you.
2. Be articulate. This was awkward for me at first, but try to come up with a 30-second introduction of yourself. An introduction typically includes your name, course of study, an idea of your previous experience and what opportunities you'd like to pursue at Company X. "My name is Shandra Resume. I go to Syracuse and I'm majoring in psychology and advertising. This past summer I interned with Company Y, where I assisted the store's buyer and helped manage logistics for a charity fashion show. I'm really interested in the retail industry and think that your Event Coordinator position would be a great fit for my skills." This introduction, combined with a strong handshake and nice eye contact, immediately projects an image of confidence and direction. It also gives the recruiter a prompt to start asking questions.
When it is your turn to ask a question, take the conversation past the surface level of "What's it like working for Company X?" to "I see that Company X is starting to incorporate social media into its overall marketing strategy, with a Twitter page and an interactive community on its website. What plans does the company have to grow social media marketing in the future? If I am selected for this internship, would I have an opportunity to contribute to this project?" By having questions prepared ahead of time and articulating them in an intelligent manner, you are inviting meaningful conversation with the recruiter and reaffirming your genuine interest in the organization.
3. Looks matter. Your appearance plays a huge role in how people perceive you. A good rule is not to let anything about your appearance distract the employer from the words coming out of your mouth. This means no wacky hair styles, flashy earrings, revealing outfits, prominent tattoos, or facial piercings. Take extra care to groom yourself that morning; a sloppy or disheveled appearance can ruin your chances with an employer. You're applying for a job at a world-renowned company - you need to look the part.
4. Follow-up is crucial. After making a connection at the Career Fair, be sure to get the recruiter's business card so that you can keep in touch. I recommend sending a note within a day of the Career Fair, thanking the recruiter for his/her time and touching upon something from your conversation. Maybe you mentioned that you were a huge fan of a particular basketball team, or perhaps you realized that you both have family living in a certain obscure town. Referencing a small detail like this in your note will help the recruiter remember who you are. Also, before ending your conversation at the Career Fair, find out exactly how the recruiting process works for that company. Should you be expecting a phone call within two weeks? Do you need to take an additional step (ie submit your resume online) before being considered? It's great that you had a solid conversation at the Career Fair, but getting this final information is crucial in being able to convert that conversation into an extended interview and eventually an internship or job.
Standing out at the Career Fair isn't about wearing a flashy outfit or asking provocative questions. It's about being professional -- from your preparation to the way you phrase questions to how you dress and the way you follow-up.
I want to hear your career fair stories; feel free to post in the comments section. If you're an SU student, I especially want to hear about your experience on Tuesday!
Friday, September 4, 2009
Learning is Doing: The Discoveries of a Recent Grad Embarking on the Hunt for a Great First Job
By Agatha Lutoborski
Finding a job, I have discovered in these recent months, involves the same sort of psychological strategy that comes with a new love interest. Do they like me? Should I call? Is this a date? Transfer all these thoughts into business lingo - interview, e-mail, etc. - and you have yourself a job search. After many such emails, phone calls and interviews (supported by superb advice from friends and family), I have come to some hopefully helpful conclusions about how to combat job hunt second guessing.
DO be patient. When you e-mail people about jobs and networking, don't get antsy when you don't hear back first thing. These are busy people and if you don't hear from them for three days it's not the end of the world. Give it a week. And this is another helpful tidbit that my sister passed on to me: it's not always what you send, but when. Don't send a networking email on a Friday before Labor Day. You will be bumped down to the nether of their inbox and then you really won't get a response. Nor should you send something first thing Monday morning as they will be sorting through work stuff at first priority. Take a breath and click "Send" at 1 p.m. I was going to e-mail an interviewer first thing one Monday morning because they had said they were going to touch base the previous week. My sister told me to hold my horses and e-mail later in the afternoon if I hadn't heard something already. Sure enough, the interviewer called at 11 a.m. and I avoided looking neurotic.
DON'T undervalue job postings. I know they say network, network, network (and it really is the best way to find a job), but looking at job postings online can't hurt. It helps you gauge the hiring market in this tough economy. I personally have been seeing an increase in entry level PR/marketing positions in my target market, New York City. Looking online also helps to understand the breadth of employers out there. You can find new companies with whom you would like to network. I found a company posting online and then looked up the company and Syracuse University in a LinkedIn search and connected with an alumna working at that firm. Another tip: keep up with all your job search feeds in Google Reader. My mediabistro, PRWeek, craigslist, idealist.org and individual firm feeds are easy to track and right in front of me every time I log in. And who knows, you might get an interview from your efforts. It can never hurt you to pursue as many as avenues as you can.
DO remember details about people. I have found this to be a key part in successful networking because, for one, it makes keeping in touch more pleasant. E-mails are easier to write. They are more casual and engaging and better reflect the tenor of your conversation with the person than a formulaic, nauseatingly polite e-mail that shows no sign of your personality. I networked with an SU alumnus and at our first meeting we had a discussion about his hometown. I drove through the town on a trip a couple weeks later and used it as a bridge to checking in.
DON'T go anywhere without your business card and never go to an interview without your resume. You may think that since you emailed it and it got forwarded a few times that someone will have it. They probably won't. I went to an interview recently where I brought along my resume on a total whim since I had sent it along to the interviewer's assistant. I just saw a copy, already printed, on my desk and grabbed it with a just-in-case hunch. First thing my interviewer asked as I sat down was if I had my resume. Thank goodness for that glimpse of clairvoyance.
DO customize your cover letters. This goes along with my aforementioned point about being overly formulaic. Though some employers don't give a hoot about cover letters and never read them, I don't know which company I'm applying to might be like this. Therefore, I carefully consider everything I send out as a reflection upon me as a brand. I'm not going to send out something that doesn't address specific aspects of a particular position, because that would show a lack of attention to detail, whereas I am a perfectionist. So whether or not employers read them, I still put effort into personalizing each one for the specific position. It's me on paper- needless to say, I want it to look good.
DON'T grovel. This is an impulse I have to fight constantly and have been successful so far. Yes, the people you want to connect with are (much) higher up than you, but they don't grovel as they conduct business and neither should you if you're trying to mesh into their world. The days of nervous ticks, giggles and excuses are over. Sit up straight, talk like you know what you're talking about (and hopefully you do) and be real about what you've done and what you can do. In cover letters, saying how amazing their company is can come off as sycophantic as well. Obviously you must like them if you're applying. Pick a specific aspect of the company that you genuinely admire and emphasize that as an introduction, if you really feel it's a big part of why you're applying. I did this once, and though, alas, I never got a call back (so maybe my theory is wrong?), I got several confirmations that that letter rocked. It felt good to send it with confidence.
DO make a point of following up promptly. Even if it's just a quick thanks and acknowledgment that you received their message, it's a must-do. This cuts out a whole myriad of other second guessing discussions. Always, always, always follow through with following up.
So, with all these discoveries and tips, you might wonder why I am still unemployed. If I could answer that question, I would be sitting in an office with a paycheck right now. But all I can say is that it's a tough process with its ups and downs and I'm learning along with all of you fellow job seekers. I am looking forward to finding a job that inspires and challenges me everyday. I hope you find that, too!
Agatha graduated in May 2009 from Syracuse University with a degree in Magazine 
Journalism, European History and French language. She had a change of heart vis-à-vis career direction junior year and decided she wanted to steer more toward public relations work, hopefully in areas personally important to her such as sustainability, corporate social responsibility and digital strategy. Her personal hobbies include reading blogs, books and magazines, practicing yoga and traveling near and far. She is obsessive-compulsive about recycling and can tell you about it fluently in French and Polish and a dabble of German. You can connect with her on LinkedIn (www.linkedin.com/in/alutoborski) or Twitter (@alutoborski).
Journalism, European History and French language. She had a change of heart vis-à-vis career direction junior year and decided she wanted to steer more toward public relations work, hopefully in areas personally important to her such as sustainability, corporate social responsibility and digital strategy. Her personal hobbies include reading blogs, books and magazines, practicing yoga and traveling near and far. She is obsessive-compulsive about recycling and can tell you about it fluently in French and Polish and a dabble of German. You can connect with her on LinkedIn (www.linkedin.com/in/alutoborski) or Twitter (@alutoborski). Tuesday, September 1, 2009
"Does your major really matter?"
Honestly, probably not as much as you think it does. I've gotten this question a number of times during the last year, most recently from my brilliant and inquisitive intern Connie Que. The question is usually rooted in the uneasy feeling that one is "locked in" to a certain career path based on one's major.
In most cases, your academic major does not lead exclusively to one specific career; it helps you learn skills which can be applied to a number of different career fields. A student majoring in psychology learns how the mind works and how people interact. Does this person have to pursue a career in psychology? No. There are many other career paths where a keen understanding of people could be helpful, such as human resources, advertising, retail management, and teaching. Think about it - psychology and advertising are a perfect match. If a person understands the psychology of persuasion, he can design ads that get inside the heads of the target audience and compel them to act. Similarly, someone with a degree in psychology would make a great retail manager, as she understands how to manipulate color, scent, and product display to arouse maximum interest among customers.
Instead of thinking about your major by its one-word label, try examining the skills which you acquire in your major classes. Analytical skills, oral and written communication skills, leadership skills, and interpersonal skills can be developed within many academic programs; these are the core competency areas that most employers are seeking. You don't need to be a communications major to pursue a career in public relations - you just need solid communication and interpersonal skills. Likewise, you don't need a degree in finance to become an analyst - you simply need strong analytical skills (and the ability to learn new information on the job).
While many employers easily understand how a candidate from a seemingly unrelated academic program may be qualified for a position, others need it spelled out for them. It's not blatantly obvious why a sociology major may be fit for a job in marketing, for instance. Therefore, you need to understand your own skills, and be able to articulate how your combination of education and skills prepares you for whatever position you are seeking.
Finally, if you're still feeling confined to a certain career path based on your major, try this experiment: ask a bunch of people in their 30s and 40s what they majored in during college, and what jobs they currently hold. I guarantee you that many of the people you talk to are enjoying careers unrelated to - or only tangentially connected to - their college majors.
In most cases, your academic major does not lead exclusively to one specific career; it helps you learn skills which can be applied to a number of different career fields. A student majoring in psychology learns how the mind works and how people interact. Does this person have to pursue a career in psychology? No. There are many other career paths where a keen understanding of people could be helpful, such as human resources, advertising, retail management, and teaching. Think about it - psychology and advertising are a perfect match. If a person understands the psychology of persuasion, he can design ads that get inside the heads of the target audience and compel them to act. Similarly, someone with a degree in psychology would make a great retail manager, as she understands how to manipulate color, scent, and product display to arouse maximum interest among customers.
Instead of thinking about your major by its one-word label, try examining the skills which you acquire in your major classes. Analytical skills, oral and written communication skills, leadership skills, and interpersonal skills can be developed within many academic programs; these are the core competency areas that most employers are seeking. You don't need to be a communications major to pursue a career in public relations - you just need solid communication and interpersonal skills. Likewise, you don't need a degree in finance to become an analyst - you simply need strong analytical skills (and the ability to learn new information on the job).
While many employers easily understand how a candidate from a seemingly unrelated academic program may be qualified for a position, others need it spelled out for them. It's not blatantly obvious why a sociology major may be fit for a job in marketing, for instance. Therefore, you need to understand your own skills, and be able to articulate how your combination of education and skills prepares you for whatever position you are seeking.
Finally, if you're still feeling confined to a certain career path based on your major, try this experiment: ask a bunch of people in their 30s and 40s what they majored in during college, and what jobs they currently hold. I guarantee you that many of the people you talk to are enjoying careers unrelated to - or only tangentially connected to - their college majors.
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