Choosing your academic area (major) is just a starting point. Supplementing your major with highly desirable skills is what helps to set you apart and makes you “marketable” to employers.
In a recent survey, the National Association of Colleges and Employers found that employers most value three skills that are usually acquired through a liberal arts education:
- Communication skills
- Teamwork skills
- Analytical skills
Here are some articles that bear witness to these ideas
- Are You Career Ready?
Learn what competencies employers are seeking in new hires - 11 Reasons to Major in the Humanities
- Can Liberal Arts Majors Really Do ‘Anything’?
You see, it’s not so much the major, but what skills and abilities you build around it that is the “selling point” to the employer.
So, “How do I develop skills?” you may ask. You develop skills and confidence through volunteer work; if you hold an office or serve on committees in clubs and organizations; perhaps you’ve had group projects in some of your classes. You develop skills through internships, part-time and full-time employment.
Students can search and apply for internships through their Handshake account.