Applying Your Major to a Non-Traditional Career

Indiana Intern's monthly newsletter is out and I thought you might enjoy an interesting article on applying your major to a non-traditional career. Have you thought about using your degree in a new way? If so, we'd like to hear from you! To view the complete newsletter, go to http://view.exacttarget.com/?j=fe9411727363027d74&m=feed11787c670d&ls=fdec1676746d017b76137976&l=fe9b15757062077d75&s=fe2c16717d62077c701677&ju=fe5b17787164007f721c

An accounting graduate gets a job as a passport specialist with the federal government. A music major and an art history major both find their niche in public relations. A sociology graduate ends up working for a major non-profit organization as a speakers bureau coordinator.

These are all true stories and proof positive that you can secure a job in a field outside the scope of your college major. The following tips can help your path to a non-traditional career become another success story:

• Get experience - You may think you've got the wrong degree for the career you want to pursue. But you can make up for that - and then some - through hands-on experience. Internships are critical in helping you gain experience in areas that are not directly related to your major.
• Identify transferable skills - Many skills you've gained in college are transferable, meaning they fit a wide range of occupations and careers regardless of your major. Talk to people in your field of interest to pinpoint the three to five skills that seem to be the most sought after. Then, you can determine which you already possess or can quickly learn. The key is to articulate what attracted you to your major and how you apply related skills to a potential job.
• Be visible - Talk to everyone you can who is already working in your desired field. At this point, these individuals may only be willing to meet with you for informational interviews, but this will help you build your network. Having a strong network of contacts will help you when it comes to obtaining that next internship or full-time job.