The term “liberal arts” is a very vague concept to the extent where you will get multiple definitions from different people. There is no single correct definition of this concept, which makes it a “roadblock” for most students. It is very difficult to get past the term “liberal” as even though it says liberal, most students remain ultra-conservative in their approach. However, we must note that liberal arts do not root from politics.
Liberal arts were created to broaden our minds and to help us be more open to music, arts, and similar sectors. Many students pick up a major in liberal arts. Although it enriches their mind, the students struggle to understand how to make a career out of it. Since this subject doesn’t belong to the conventional options, you won’t find many career counselors discuss about it.
So, if you are already halfway through your course, here are seven ways how you can make yourself marketable in front of recruiters –
- Be proud of your degree
Let’s get real here for a minute. Liberal arts is not the most popular course available. So, you may find disapproving glares and comments from your parents and friends. But if you let those negativities get in your head, you are destined to get doomed. Like every other degree, you have spent equal time and energy to complete your master’s. So, be proud of the liberal arts degree that you have earned. Wear the degree as your badge of honor.
This is unknown to many, but liberal arts is a sought after subject, and it can certainly open up several doors for you. Liberal arts students are versatile and can be a great choice in multiple areas like linguistics, law, psychology, management, and many others. However, you must have confidence in yourself. If you are confident and proud of your knowledge and skills, the recruiters won’t have second thoughts before hiring you.
- Sell your passion
The best part about liberal arts graduates is that they chose the subject because they loved the subject. Most liberal students do not enroll for this course thinking about career options, but how they can enjoy the work they will do after graduating. Exceptions are always there, but passion drives most students rather than monetary objectives.
So, during interviews, even if the job profile doesn’t directly relate to your masters’ subject, you can still give your best shot. You can convince the recruiters that you are a passionate individual, which can take you far in your career. You can highlight your love for learning new things, enthusiasm, dedication and commitment and how they can help you excel in your career just like those helped during your masters. So, even if the subjects don’t align, you can use your passion as a selling point.
- Master of all trades
As a graduate of liberal arts, the world is your oyster. With a degree in liberal arts, you don’t confine yourself to any specific areas. For example, a graduate in finance will find a career only in that sector. Similarly, an IT graduate will always find jobs in the computer and tech sectors.
However, “I am willing to do anything” is not always the best attitude. Employers look for employees who know what they want to do. So, if you can specify the profile you are comfortable working in, that makes your chances of getting a job easier.
If you are unsure about what you want to do, take help from career counsellors and teachers. They can help you identify where your passion and skills lie. Also, getting in a job doesn’t imply a lifelong commitment. You can always switch your career and use your prior experiences for personal betterment.
- Market your skills
Liberal arts graduates get proficient in skills like writing and communication through their normal courses. These two are some of the primary skills that many employers around the world look for in interviews. Know the skills you have complete mastery of, embrace them and market them during interviews.
Most liberal art students are also required to learn foreign languages. So, these skills can come in handy in various ways. Most businesses prefer hiring employees with multilingual skills and sensitivity since they have a global customer base. You are the best judge of your skills. Identify the areas where you excel and market them aggressively during the interview.
- Polish up your skills
As a liberal art student, you become a master in multiple skills. Yet, there is always room for improvement. To become marketable, students can keep honing their skills. If you are already halfway through your course or have completed your major, it is already too late to change the course or restart a fresh course. So you can focus on selected skills instead.
For example, computing skills are needed in a majority of jobs. So, if the liberal arts classes leave you lagging in these skills, you can brush up on those skills by taking online assignment help. Online tutors are a great way to learn new skills or practice existing ones. Alternatively, you can ask your nerdy friend to help you if you don’t understand whom to ask.
Go through the internet ads and job postings regularly. If you are interested in any job profile, check the skills it asks for. If you feel you lag in a couple of skills, get the necessary mentorship and tuition to boost your skillset.
- Let your CV speak for your education
Most modern-day resumes come with a qualification summary section. Use this part to encapsulate your skills and show employers what value you can provide. You can also use this opportunity to praise your skills in liberal art. Many students have vast experience in extracurricular activities. They may be passionate, self-motivated, and driven but don’t possess any technical knowledge of finance or marketing. Choose the correct words to make your resume shine among the rest. You can use these lines to let the resume speak on behalf of you –
- I am a creative problem-solver specializing in resolving conflicts through creative solutions. I excel in identifying the best ways to rectify negative situations and oversee a successful implementation.
- I am an individual with a strong leadership-oriented attitude, a strong moral compass, and work ethic.
- I am a highly disciplined professional who likes to keep everything organized. I can effortlessly manage, coordinate, and handle multiple projects simultaneously. I am proficient in scheduling and handling multiple meetings daily and completing other organizational functions in demanding situations.
- I am a cooperative professional with great interpersonal communication skills. I have the ability to blend with a diverse group of people and act as a liaison between teams to solve conflicts and foster a healthy work environment.
- I am a computing expert specializing in operating systems like Windows, Linux, and Mac OS. I also have expert knowledge of trending programming languages like Java, C++, HTML, MS Office, Python, and SAP.
Choosing the right words in your CV gives you a much-needed boost, and you can market yourself without uttering a word.
- Portray your skills in the cover letter
Use the cover letter to better describe your liberal art skills. The resume is usually very short. Students need to mention the skills in bulleted points, and there isn’t much scope to explain anything. However, the cover letter has a more narrative nature, and it helps you to make better connections with employers.
However, mentioning your skills won’t do you any good. You need to describe how you can apply your skills to the job you are applying for. For example, if you are good at any extracurricular activity like playing football, you can pick teamwork and leadership as your skill. Then you can explain how you used to captain your football team and lead them to glory. Similarly, you can be a valuable asset to the company and lead projects successfully. Moreover, teamwork forms the cornerstone of any team sport. So, you can work cohesively with other team members while avoiding conflicts.
Summing Up:
Follow these seven tips and learn how to make the most of your liberal arts degree. Always remember to make it evident that you are from liberal arts discipline. This will show that you know what you are doing and are not ashamed of your career choice. You can give a liberal-artsy spin on your answers if possible. You can mention how you worked on multiple projects during your course. You can even answer generic questions like “Why should we hire you?” with more “liberal” answers like, “I know that change is the only constant in a company. Since I am a liberal arts graduate, it taught me to be flexible and easily adapt to any organizational change.”
Author Bio:
Jason Roth is a retired professor of Arts and Literature from a reputed university. He now freelances for Assignmenthelp.io as an assignment paper writer and editor. Apart from addressing “who can do my assignment?” queries, he also loves to play the piano.
