As an undecided college student, it can be overwhelming to decide what exactly you want to do, and even more stressful to figure out what steps you need to take to get there. However, even though it can be nerve-wracking, there are many ways to build skills that can benefit you in any career path that you choose. Luckily, Binghamton offers a variety of resources that can help you build transferable skills to take with you throughout your college years and beyond. Here are 8 ways for you to build your skillset as an undecided major.
- Get involved with clubs!
Binghamton has over 450 clubs for students to get involved in on campus, meaning that there is something for everyone. Clubs are more than just a way to meet new people, they are a valuable resource to expand both your soft skills and technical skills. For example, no matter what organization you are involved in, you are guaranteed to strengthen the following soft skills that employers look for when hiring: communication, organization, teamwork, creativity, empathy, and time management. Not to mention, many professional clubs can help you develop your technical skills, such as coding in Girls Who Code, fundraising in the American Cancer Society, and technical case competitions in clubs such as the Accounting Association and the Marketing Association.
Beyond being a general member of a club, you can gain invaluable experience serving as a member of its executive board or on one of its committees. By taking on a leadership role, you will be able to hone skills such as decision-making, collaboration, confidence, and conflict resolution, which will make you more qualified to take on a leadership position in your career.
- Become a TA or a tutor for a class!
As an undecided major, you are probably taking a wide array of courses, some that you may be more interested in than others. Try to find a class that you’re enjoying and also doing well in, and inquire with the professor about becoming a teaching assistant for the course. Working alongside a professor in a TA position builds all kinds of skills, such as interpersonal communication, professionalism, adaptability, and public speaking. You also will become an expert in the subject matter of the course as an added benefit.
You also have the opportunity to become a tutor for select courses through University Tutorial Services, building on skills such as active listening, patience, and organization. You can include both experiences as a TA and a tutor on your resume, exhibiting your leadership abilities. This is relevant to any student, so don’t feel that you need to be in a particular major if you are undecided and are interested in these opportunities.
- Take a free class or certification!
As a student, you have access to a multitude of free resources and courses on campus that help you build skills that apply to various career fields. For example, Harpur Edge offers “Crash Courses” every semester that allow you to earn a certification for your LinkedIn profile or resume upon successful completion of the course. Some of these courses include Excel for Data Analytics, Communication Plan and Search Engine Optimization, Digital Storytelling, and Coding in R, all of which can be applicable in many career areas. There are other certifications offered on campus too, such as CPR and First Aid certifications hosted by the American Red Cross.
Don’t feel that you need to be an engineering major to take a coding course, or that you need to be an English major to take a storytelling course- everyone is welcome to complete these courses. In fact, it is beneficial to diversify your experiences and be knowledgeable in a variety of skills, even if they don’t directly correlate to your career interests. Completing a course or certification demonstrates that you have initiative and are willing to go the extra mile to become more knowledgeable in a particular field.
- Consider completing an externship!
An externship is similar to an internship, but is often even more short-term and typically involves the extern shadowing professionals on the job rather than actually performing workplace functions. Externships are also fantastic opportunities for students who are not sure what they want to do careerwise, as they provide an opportunity to learn what a job entails and the ins and outs of a particular industry by going behind the scenes. Consider reaching out to a connection whose career you are interested in, and inquire about shadowing opportunities for over winter or spring breaks. These don’t require a large time commitment and can be very eye-opening experiences, as externs gain insight into the actual day-to-day operations of a job. Plus, you build your networking skills by reaching out to employers and making connections on-site at the job.
- Intern at a company you are interested in!
Even if you don’t know exactly what career you would like, you probably have a general idea of some possible options that pique your interest. It is worth looking into internships for your summer break to help you develop your skills in a certain industry. The great thing about internships is that they provide on-the-job experiences and skills that are difficult to learn in a classroom setting. Additionally, they help you get used to workplace culture and decide whether or not a particular career is a good match for you. Summer internships typically range from 8-12 weeks, so if one is not a good fit for you, know that it is a short-term opportunity and you are not obligated to stay at the company after the internship is completed. No matter what company or industry you intern for, you are sure to gain valuable experience and technical skills that can be applied to future employment opportunities and demonstrate that you are hardworking and dedicated.
- Get involved with research!
Binghamton is an “R1” institution, meaning it has “very high research activity,” making it the perfect place to break into research as a student! The school’s top-tier research designation means that there are plentiful opportunities to assist professors in their research labs, starting with the First-Year Immersion program for freshmen. This program allows incoming freshmen to pick from 11 different research streams in science and engineering that they work on for an authentic 3-semester duration. This program not only builds valuable research skills such as data collection and analysis, problem solving, and teamwork, but also allows students to network with professionals involved in their field of research and opens the door for future opportunities in research.
Research opportunities are available for students of all majors, so don’t be intimidated to get involved if you’re not a STEM student. The Source Project focuses on research in the humanities and the Summer Scholars and Artists Program funds undergraduates who want to work on their own creative research projects. Visit the External Scholarships and Undergraduate Research Center to learn more about these opportunities and more to engage in research while at Binghamton!
Also, keep an eye out for emails from professors or departments that are currently looking for research assistants- many Binghamton professors are working on their own research projects and are seeking interested students who want to get involved.
- Join a mentorship program!
Whether you are a mentor or mentee, mentorship programs help students become more engaged with the campus community and allow students to build transferable leadership skills. As a mentee, you can learn from upperclassmen and other professionals who have cultivated an array of skills and advice throughout their experiences and are willing to share their tips with students. This provides useful insight and builds a student’s network with like-minded peers and professionals. Likewise, as a mentor, students can participate in a meaningful leadership experience and can help inspire the next generation of students.
There are mentor programs in many different organizations and departments, such as the Dean’s Mentoring Program, the Women in Business Mentoring Program, the New Students of Color Mentoring Program, and the Psychology Department Undergraduate Mentoring Program, among others. Consider joining a program that interests you to learn new skills, expand your network, and gain valuable insights into the professional world.
- Create your own project!
Last but not least, you may want to consider developing your own project based on your personal interests. Creating a project can help you develop your skills, build confidence in a certain subject area, and demonstrate a strong sense of initiative as a student when applying to future jobs and internships. Since this would be an individual project, you could tailor it to exactly what you are interested in. For example, an engineering or computer science major may want to work on a coding project or develop an app to help hone their coding skills. Not only would this type of project enhance their skills, but it would provide them with a demonstrable experience to highlight when applying for jobs. An English or marketing major may want to start their own blog to practice writing or building on their SEO skills. There are no limits to what you can create, and this would provide an outlet for the development of both personal and professional interests.
Overall, regardless of your major, there are countless opportunities for you to get involved with at Binghamton to develop your skills and hone your interests. There is no shortage of resources available on campus to help you become more involved and maximize your experiences for the professional world. Lastly, if you need assistance discussing the skills you gained from your experiences on your resume, make an appointment with a career consultant at the Fleishman Center!
