When searching for opportunities or networking with employers, it’s important to remember that major often does not equal career title. In fact, prospective employers in your industry of interest may have never heard of your major, academic program, or research speciality. That doesn’t mean your degree isn’t valuable, it means you need to connect the dots for them.
So, how do you make sure an employer knows you have the skills and experience necessary for the role? The key is to talk about your academics in the context of the career field or industry you’re pursuing, rather than simply stating your major or reciting the courses you’ve taken.
Let’s say you’re a biochemistry major interested in research assistant positions. Recruiters you connect with might not be familiar with the exact title of your program, but they will certainly understand and value skills like lab techniques, data analysis, collaboration, and communication. Instead of just saying, “I’m a Biochemistry major”, explain your major using the industry-relevant skills you have developed along the way. Here is an example of how that may show up when discussing your academics with an employer:
“In my biochemistry program, I’ve gotten a lot of hands-on experience with lab techniques like PCR and protein purification, and I’ve also used R for data analysis. Last semester, I worked with a small team of undergrads on an enzyme kinetics project where we designed the experiments, analyzed the results, and then presented our findings at a research symposium. It was a great way to build my technical skills, but also to practice teamwork and explaining scientific concepts to people outside the lab.”
Not sure where to start? Consider the following questions when preparing to explain your major to a potential employer:
- What do I want the employer to know about me and my academic experience? Does my current explanation of my major give them that information?
- What skills are essential to my intended career path? How has my coursework, research, or lab work helped me develop them?
- What are my top three academic “highlight reel” moments? These could be lab projects, fieldwork, research presentations, or notable coursework that shows depth in your field.
Framing your major through relevant skills and stories helps connect your experience to what employers are looking for. Remember, you’re never going to be able to sum up an entire four-year program in a quick conversation at an interview or job fair, and that’s okay! The goal is to show how your major has given you the specific skills, knowledge, and experiences that prepare you for the position you’re applying to.
From Job and Internship Fairs to Skills Labs, The Fleishman Career Center will be hosting many employer events where you can begin trying these strategies out. Review our events calendar to learn more.
