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A LIBERAL ARTS STUDENT’SCAREER GUIDE MAGAZINE

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MYTH #1: Job opportunities through on-campus recruiting represent the actual employment market in the “real world.” If you don’t like the opportunities listed in the On-Campus Recruiting Schedule or you don’t see employers you are interested in, Career Services can’t help you.

FACT: You probably have noticed that some organizations such as advertising agencies, publishers, radio and television stations, museums, research foundations, newspapers, and various nonprofit organizations do not recruit liberal arts majors through the on-campus recruiting program. The reason for this is that rarely, if ever, do these organizations recruit on any college campus. Most of these types of employers do not have enough openings at any given time to warrant the expense of recruiting on college campuses.

MYTH #2: Liberal arts majors can only teach or go into sales.

FACT: The fields of education and marketing are desirable for some liberal arts majors, but not all. The field you choose depends on your individual interests, skills, and experiences. Your liberal arts background has prepared you for a multitude of career fields.

MYTH #3: Liberal arts majors can’t compete with business majors because business majors have an edge based on their academic coursework and background.

FACT: If an employer is willing to interview arts & science students, the employer is indicating their acknowledgment that a liberal arts education provides the background they are seeking. The key is to effectively articulate the skills the employer desires. In this instance, a liberal arts major is as equally qualified for the

job as the business major, or the employer would not indicate an interest in considering liberal arts students. However, it is up to liberal arts students to “sell” themselves effectively.

MYTH #4: You must go to graduate school rather than begin a career right out of undergraduate school.

FACT: Although a liberal education is a strong background for students seeking professional training in law, medicine, business, or other specialized fields, you should not feel like you do not have a choice. You do have a choice... several choices! There are many fields in the world of work that require well-rounded graduates at the entry level. Some examples are writing, editing, communications, advertising, mass media, public relations, retailing, insurance, fund-raising, publishing and government work.

COMMON NEGATIVE STEREOTYPES You need to understand that there are

employers who may have negative stereotypes about liberal arts majors. Some typical criticisms are:

Liberal arts majors lack clearly defined career goals and commitment to a chosen field of work. Research indicates that employers look favorably upon a prospective employee who has done some thinking about his/her future. The student who says, “I like people,” or “I’m looking for something in science,” or “I’d like to work for awhile and then go to graduate school” is a risk for a prospective employer. Putting yourself in the employer’s shoes, would you want to invest time and money in training someone who may leave after they decide what they really want to do?

Liberal arts majors have little or no preparation for the world of work. Some liberal arts majors tend not to have knowledge of the realities of

SEPARATING FACT FROM FICTION:MYTHS AND STEREOTYPES ABOUT LIBERAL ARTS

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the fields they pursue. Therefore, not knowing the issues in the field and not “speaking the employer’s language,” they are not considered serious candidates. Furthermore, often they know little or nothing about the firm or organization to which they are applying.

Liberal arts majors rarely see how their skills and training will match the needs of the organization in which they seek employment. A job candidate with the attitude that “I can do anything—make me something” cannot compete with other candidates who have researched the employer and can articulate what they have to offer that employer. It is your responsibility as a job candidate to make the connection between the employer and yourself. Instead of having them make you something, think in terms of what you have that may be of value to them.

Liberal arts students’ employment and earnings have increased over time. More liberal arts graduates are reporting employment that relates to their degree. And more recently, salary offers have risen for many liberal arts graduates.

Those who study liberal arts can pursue a range of careers. Most entry-level positions require people who can learn quickly and solve problems; the specifics are taught on the job. “A

general college degree is the major entry-level credential you need,” says author and speaker Donald Asher. “Employers are looking for the skills a candidate has to offer.” Experts say, and a 2007 National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) survey confirms, that the most important skill employers seek in job candidates is the ability to communicate effectively. Employers also look for a strong work ethic, teamwork, initiative, interpersonal skills, and problem-solving and abilities honed by coursework in the humanities and social sciences.

The same NACE survey shows that liberal arts graduates worked in a variety of industries, including retail trade and social assistance. And they worked in a range of career fields, from management to sales to graphic arts.

Liberal arts majors who are passionate about their studies are at an advantage in the job market, experts say. Interest in the classroom often translates to eagerness in a job search and enthusiasm in an interview. And the ability to confidently articulate their ideas—a hallmark of liberal arts training— may be these jobseekers’ best justification of all for having chosen their major.

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Employers want what?Skills wanted in new employees!

WHAT SKILLS DO EMPLOYERS VALUE IN NEW EMPLOYEES?

It is important for you to have an understanding of the specific skills an employer is seeking in a new hire. Obviously, this will vary depending on the job description. However, there are skill requirements employers tend to cite across all disciplines for most jobs. They are:

• Oral communication skills • Written communication skills • Interpersonal skills •Proficiency in field of study or technical

competence • Demonstrated teamwork • Leadership abilities • Flexibility • Analytical skills • Computer knowledge • Internship/co-op experience • Problem-solving skills • Decision-making abilities • Initiative • Goal-orientation • Sincere interest in job

WHAT SKILLS DO EMPLOYERS VALUE MOST? • Writing Skills – to express oneself clearly

through written words •Interpersonal/Social Skills – to get along well

with others• Negotiation Skills – to bring about an

agreement by bargaining • Problem-Solving Ability – to identify the source

of a problem and provide a solution • Global Awareness – to possess an

understanding of other cultures •Ability to Synthesize – to combine separate

elements to form a new whole • Multicultural Skills – to relate to people from

diverse cultures • Foreign Language Skills – to communicate in

multiple languages • Creativity – to bring a fresh perspective to a

situation • Organizational Skills – to manage multiple

projects effectively • Self-starter – to work efficiently without

supervision • Teamwork Ability – to work well with others

and put personal interests aside for the good of the group

• Oral Communication Skills- to express oneself clearly through the spoken word

• Critical Thinking Skills – to sift through large amounts of information and make decisions about what is most useful

• AnalyticalSkills – to examine in detail or to separate data, ideas, or objects into their parts.

DEVELOPING JOB SKILLS You can begin to develop job skills while you’re

still in school, even if your courses seem to have little to do with your career goals. Get skills for your resume by molding your activities, including coursework and summer jobs, to fit the careers that interest you. Coursework as resume builder.

One way to boost your career readiness

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is to take a course or two in a different, more occupationally specific, subject. Doing so will help you see if you like the subject, and you’ll also learn new skills and industry jargon. Some liberal arts students even decide to earn another major, or pursue a minor, in a technical or business subject.

Some colleges and universities offer programs that connect liberal arts studies with real-world skills. Through these types of programs, liberal arts majors can develop skills, test career aspirations, and boost confidence. New York University, for example, has a program that awards certificates in professional subjects but does not interfere with the core curriculum of liberal arts. An art history major might elect to earn a certificate in art appraisal, perhaps, or a French major could opt for a certificate in translation. Matthew Santirocco, dean of the university’s College of Arts and Sciences, describes the program as an “add-on” to liberal arts studies.

Another way to demonstrate interest in a career unrelated to your major is to choose class projects that connect with that career. A sociology major might show interest in working with children, for example, by writing a paper on the impact of programs on disadvantaged youth. In addition to helping you gain a fundamental understanding of the field, projects like these make it easier for professors to provide recommendations to employers. Internships and other experience.

There is often no better way to develop your interest in a career than to get direct exposure to it. Obtaining relevant work experience can make all the difference in getting a job. And that’s especially true if the job is in a field not directly related to your liberal arts major. According to a 2006 NACE survey, many employers hire those who participate in their internship programs.

Internships give liberal arts majors a hands-on opportunity to test their career assumptions. Some students pursue an internship in an occupation they don’t know much about as a way to discover their preferences. Even if they don’t like the internship, the experience can help them know what to look for in a job after they graduate.

Summer jobs, part-time jobs, and volunteer work can also be useful. Working not only provides exposure to the world of business or community service; it also gives students an

opportunity to demonstrate reliability, timeliness, courteousness, and other traits important to employers. And building a reputation as a good worker or volunteer is helpful for jobseekers in need of references.

For many students, choosing a career path is the most difficult part of their college experience.

The decision may be especially difficult for liberal arts majors, who often have many options beyond the obvious ones. An English major might decide to become an editor, for example, but he or she could also look at careers in business, sales, or graphic design.

Narrowing down what you want to do can be hard, but it is important not to procrastinate for too long. “It can be so easy for liberal arts students to put off that kind of decisionmaking,” says Robert Greensberg, former director of career services at the University of Tennessee, “usually because no one pushes them.” Echoes Susan Templeton, a senior career counselor at the University of Washington, “It’s never too early to think about what you want to do after college.”

You can begin finding your niche by considering your interests and skills, doing some research, and getting expert help. Know thyself—and thy skills.

When choosing a career, first consider your interests. Start with the courses you like. Suppose you are a history major. Think about what you enjoy most about that major. Is it the research? If so, you might want to explore research-intensive occupations, such as research assistant and paralegal. Do you like writing papers? If so, working as a reporter or technical writer might be a good match for your interest.

Each of your academic and extracurricular interests could take you in a different career direction. Figure out what you like doing, and then think about which occupations require those aptitudes. Some career fields might require additional training, but a liberal arts background provides a solid foundation on which to build.

Interest and skill assessments, many of which are offered as career counseling services, can help you to pinpoint your preferences. These exercises allow you to create a personal inventory for identifying strengths and weaknesses.

Preferences aside, you may have skills employers favor—even if you’re not aware that

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you have them. As a liberal arts student, you have technical qualifications related to your particular major. Learning what those qualifications are can prepare you for specific occupations.

Anthropology students, for example, know how to conduct ethnographic interviews and studies, skills that can aid them in marketing work when they analyze customers. English majors usually have editing and writing skills, which are essential for media, public relations, and publishing occupations. And geography majors are well suited to location- based urban planning. These are just a few of the many ways that liberal arts studies apply directly to occupations.

Some students dismiss these subject- specific careers because they think that there are too few jobs in them. But evidence suggests that each of the fields mentioned in the previous paragraph, while relatively small, is growing. For example, employment of market research analysts is projected to grow by 20 percent between 2006 and 2016 and to provide more than 62,900 job openings for workers new to those occupations. Communications and media jobs are expected to grow by 11 percent and provide 245,000 openings. And jobs in urban and regional planning are expected to grow by 15 percent and provide 14,900 openings.

Liberal arts students often end up broadening their search when choosing work. In fact, solid training in liberal arts subjects is more of an asset than many students realize— but they soon discover its value when they start a job. Laura Denbow, a career counselor at Bucknell University, tells of a student client who majored in art history and landed a job in investment banking. When applying for the job, he highlighted the finance projects that he had worked on outside of his usual coursework. His unique perspective and skill set gave him an advantage over more occupationally specialized students. “Because of his liberal arts courses, he approached problems at work differently,” says Denbow. “He also became the point person for all of the writing in his office.” Research the job market.

In addition to knowing your skills and preferences, you need information about career fields and employers to make a decision about what you want to do. But like many students, those who study liberal arts don’t always know enough about career

possibilities and the business world. Fortunately for liberal arts students, the research

skills they use in their coursework are applicable to learning about businesses, too. Experts suggest that students approach career research as they would any other research project: by talking to specialists and reviewing news articles, journals, Web sites, and other resources. Find help.

Deciding on a career can be difficult, especially if you have a degree that doesn’t point to a specific type of job. But getting help can make the process easier. Professionals in your college’s career center can offer advice on topics ranging from choosing a career to negotiating a salary.

If you know which skills you want to use in a future job, you can consult a career counselor to help you match those skills with potential jobs. And even if you have no ideas, career counselors can help you find direction.

Nearly all career centers offer Internet resources that describe occupational choices by college major. But online research should be considered one of many steps. “Web sites are everywhere,” says Denbow. “Sometimes, there is just too much information out there to make a good choice when you don’t know what you’re looking for.”

To help sort out options, most centers provide a variety of services in addition to career counseling, including job fairs, internship placement, and resume workshops. The University of Washington, for example, hosts an annual career discovery week, inviting alumni to come and discuss their career paths.

And, say experts, students can reduce the pressure to decide their entire lives in college and instead plan only as far as a first job. Learning new skills and gaining experience in an entry-level job

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can help them figure out what they might like to do as a career. After all, a job can be a steppingstone; it needn’t feel like a life sentence.Advertising your skills

After developing skills, you need to advertise them with a resume. Highlight those parts of your liberal arts training that will appeal to would-be employers, and tailor your resume to the specific openings for which you apply.

You can use your resume to explain how your liberal arts major and your skills or

experience relate to jobs. Starting off with a summary of qualifications,

say experts, is a good way to include both transferable

skills, such as writing ability, and more

technical ones, such as knowledge of computers.

To market yourself well, create a master resume you can alter to fit each job you want. “Resumes must be tweaked

each time they are used,” says Asher.

“It is about tailoring your background to the

needs of the employer.” You may have to research

the company advertising the job to learn which skills it is likely to

be looking for. Then, you can emphasize on your resume how your qualifications relate

to those skills. Liberal arts majors might want to consider

including extracurricular activities and academic projects on their resumes. Doing so helps them demonstrate that they understand the link between what they’ve done in school and what’s expected in the workplace. For a management trainee job, for example, liberal arts applicants should highlight courses or projects that required teamwork or public speaking.Get out there!

When your resume is ready, you should use a variety of methods to distribute it. Common

methods include networking, checking job postings, attending job fairs, and making “cold calls.” Networking.

Networking involves making work-related connections with people you already know and people you meet during your job search—and it is a powerful tool. “Networking is a major activity,” says Greensberg, “and it’s important to devote a lot of time to it.” For liberal arts graduates especially, networking may offer the chance to show people more directly how they qualify for a specific career.

In general, networking makes the job search more effective. “You have a better chance of getting a job if you have someone on the inside of a company give an employer your resume,” says Asher. “If it’s before they decide to post a vacancy to the public, you have cut down on your competition.”

Students should ask family, friends, and professors for help. Check with your career center or academic department for opportunities to speak with alumni. Joining professional associations and attending conferences are other good ways to expand your network. Finding job postings.

Job postings, including those in newspapers and professional publications and on the Internet, are another source of opportunity. But simply putting a resume on an Internet job bank is usually unsuccessful, in part because of the large number of applicants. Specialized sites devoted to one career might be more effective. Visiting career fairs.

Many employers recruit directly on campuses, and most employers attending career fairs are not recruiting students by specific degree or major subject. Learn about your school’s fairs, and ask which employers are expected to attend. Even if you go only to learn about a type of job, these events can help to sharpen your focus. “Cold calling.”

Some students looking for an internship or full-time job try “cold calling”: contacting employers they do not know and who have not advertised job openings. Experts suggest doing this only as a last resort. “Although it’s good to be creative in your job search,” says Santirocco, “it’s better to use and take advantage of any connections you have.”

Cold calling does work sometimes. But researching the best prospects first will increase your chances of success.

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In any job search there are certain tendencies one must avoid. The tendencies particular to liberal arts majors in their job search are listed below. Failure to Show Sincere Interest

Show employers, through examples of what you have done to be competitive, that you are definitely interested in their field. Actions and experience speak louder than words. Remember, employers are looking for genuine commitment from prospective employees, and they are unlikely to take a chance on a job candidate who seems to just be “going through the motions” of seeking a position. Being Too Versatile

The “I’ll take anything” approach is not a virtue in the job search. Have goals and a target for those goals. Know what you want and what you have to offer. Be able to convincingly articulate your career interests and skills to prospective employers. Overselling Inadequate Qualifications

A single related course, activity or work experience is unlikely, in and of itself, to land you a job. Sell all your qualifications, but do not “oversell” a single accomplishment. Once again, be realistic. Expecting High Starting Salaries

Usually, non-technical fields have lower starting salaries than technical fields. Keep in mind the whole package though—benefits, possible educational opportunities, promotions, and the opportunity to gain experience for future career goals. Expecting Too Much from Training Programs

Many liberal arts majors pride themselves on the fact that they are “trainable” and emphasize this as a selling point to prospective employers. Well, everyone is trainable. Rather than turning off employers by overemphasizing the obvious, concentrate on special skills and abilities that make you an outstanding candidate to employers. The key to a successful job search is in positively distinguishing yourself from other applicants. Your unique qualifications, coupled with the ability to conduct an effective job-search campaign,

will get you job offers—not the fact that you are “trainable.” Overlooking Smaller and Medium-Sized Employers

Too many new college graduates get caught up in “the Fortune 500 game.” Although smaller- and medium- sized organizations rarely recruit on college campuses, they frequently provide excellent career opportunities for liberal arts graduates who seek them out. Often, these types of organizations allow for a much greater degree of autonomy and creativity than their larger counterparts. Moreover, since “small business” comprises a majority of the American economy, career opportunities with these types of companies should be carefully considered. MAINTAIN A POSITIVE ATTITUDE

You may be wondering if you will be successful in the job-search process. The staff at Career Services knows you can be if you follow the strategies suggested in this guide, and if you take full advantage of the resources and services available to you. Know from the outset that your job search will require increased effort on your part because there are more possibilities to consider and because it may take more time for you to develop focus in your career objective(s). Conducting a personal skills inventory, researching fields of interest, managing your options, identifying prospective employers, and learning effective job-search strategies all will require time and commitment. However, if you are willing to put this time and effort into the process, we are confident you will be successful in your pursuit of your career goals. Career Services is committed to assisting our liberal arts majors and hopes you will take full advantage of the services available to you.

COMMON PITFALLS TO AVOID

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Think of the interview not as an interrogation, but as a two-way conversation during which you

and the employer determine whether you meet each other’s needs. There are a number of steps that you need to go through in order to maximize the success of this conversation.

STEP ONE – PREPARE Prepare all necessary

documents needed for the interview - Resume, Cover Letter, etc. You will always want to take along extra copies of your resume, transcript, and references. Consider purchasing a leather portfolio to hold your documents and a pen and paper to record notes. For

assistance in critiquing your resume or cover letter, come by Texas State Career Services and meet with a Career Counselor, or leave your document for a 24-hour review. Plan your attire - First impressions are powerful, so you will want to look professional. Some suggestions on professional dress for an interview are:

•Suits/Dresses: Conservative, in dark colors (dark blue, black, gray, or tan) skirt length just above knee, No mini’s!

•Shirts/Blouses: Simple, in soft colors and not revealing

•Socks: Calf-length, complimenting the suit •Stockings: Neutral color such as beige or a

color to match suit •Shoes: Men - polished, should match suit; Women - polished, medium heels •Ties: Silk, coordinated with suit •Handbag: Medium or small size •Hair: Conservative hair style that does not

distract from professionalism •Jewelry: Men - watch and one ring only; Women - watch, one ring on each hand and small earrings

Anticipate interview format - Ask questions beforehand, such as:

•“With whom will I be meeting?” •“How long should I plan to be at your office?”

Knowing the format will help you prepare for the interview experience. STEP TWO - RESEARCH THE ORGANIZATION AND THE POSITION

Learn as much about the organization and position you are applying for before the interview. Visit the organization’s web site. Analyze the job description and try to match your experiences, interests, and abilities to their requirements for the position. Visit Texas State Career Services’ website at www.careerservices.txstate.edu and investigate links related to your particular occupational field. STEP THREE - KNOW YOURSELF

Prepare to discuss your strengths, weaknesses, education, work experiences, personal goals, and values. Read the job description thoroughly, anticipating questions which focus on your qualifications, their organization, and how the two fit together. Among questions you may be asked are:

•Tell me about yourself. •What are your goals? •Why do you want to work for this

organization? •Why should we hire you?

STEP FOUR - MAKE A LIST OF QUESTIONS TO ASK The questions you ask will reveal much about

your level of interest in the organization, and your level of preparation for the interview. Ask questions which demonstrate a genuine interest in and knowledge of the organization and position. Although each situation will warrant specific inquiries, some suggested questions are:

•What characteristics do you look for in a person to have success at your organization?

•What are a few of the problems I will be expected to solve?

•What is the traditional career path for this position, and in what ways do you evaluate an employee?

•If I may ask, what is your timetable for filling this current position?

SAY WHAT? I GOT AN INTERVIEW!Now what?

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