When I meet with a student to discuss their choice of major or career choice, the first question typically is “What can I do with this major?” To avoid the clichéd “anything you want to…” answer, I reframe the conversation to discuss the transferable skills they will gain in the majors they are considering. Long gone are the days where you have to major in one subject and can only work in that field for the remainder of your career. While there are still linear career paths out there - study accounting, pass the CPA exam, work for one of the big-four firms - there are other options out there.
So how does one make a connection from their liberal arts degree to an industry that may not have been considered until now? During Elon’s Professional Discovery Week, I co-presented with history alumnus Benjamin Peterson, who now works as a financial center leader with BB&T, on the non-linear career possibilities with a History degree. His advice to students? Think about the skills that you have gained within your major and then how to promote them to a future employer. Writing and analytical skills topped his list as what made him a competitive candidate within the bank – skills that he learned and refined through his studies in the history department at Elon.
The Elon Career Network, Career Services’ database of Elon alumni and parents who have volunteered to share their career experiences and advice with our students and alumni, hosts several examples of these non-linear career paths within the arts & sciences:
- Psychology – recruiting, talent manager
- History – director of business development
- Biology – senior acquisitions editor
- English – vice president of human resources
- Sociology – technology specialist
- Mathematics – vice president of financial services
- Computer Science – Federal Bureau of Investigation
- Chemistry – software test engineering manager
- Philosophy – multimedia specialist
- Music Performance – career counselor
In fact, 35 percent* (299 out of 845) of arts & sciences majors who had jobs at the time they were surveyed were working in business-related positions from data from 1999-2008 Cap & Gown surveys and nine-month follow-up surveys.
So what do recruiters from all industries look for in prospective employees? According to the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE), employers have a long list of “soft skills” that students and alumni gain in studying the arts & sciences:
- communications skills (written and oral)
- initiative
- problem-solving skills
- teamwork skills
- relevant experience
- strong work ethic
- interpersonal skills
- analytical skills
- flexibility and adaptability
- technical skills
Career Services isn’t just for students; we can strategize with alumni to help them prepare for a job search and/or the graduate school admissions process. Visit our website, www.elon.edu/careers, contact us today at (336) 278-6538 or drop by our office in Duke 101 if you’re on campus.
By Michelle Jones, assistant director of career services for arts & sciences
*DISCLAIMER: Percentages on this report are approximations.
** Source: Job Outlook 2010, National Association of Colleges and Employers