How To Get A Job In A Field That Has Nothing To Do With Your Major

By Alyssa Laffitte on August 28, 2018

College is a time of growth and change for many people. Growth and change are wonderful things! For this reason, you might discover that you no longer want a career in the major you chose when you were 18. This is totally okay and normal. That’s why “change major” forms exist! But if you have already graduated or are close to graduating, you might not be able to change your major. You could be stuck with a degree in a field you are no longer interested in. If this describes you, don’t worry! You can definitely find a job in a field you didn’t major in, you just have to work a little bit harder. In this article, we will discuss how to get a job in a field that has nothing to do with your major.

Image via Isorepublic.com

If you’re still in college, try to squeeze in a minor

When you apply for a job in a field that has nothing to do with your major, you will need to provide some sort of proof that you do know something about the field despite not having majored in it. If you changed your career trajectory during your junior or senior year, it might not be practical to change your major. Still, if you have enough time before you graduate, you can try to squeeze in a minor in your desired field. If you can’t major in your desired field, a minor is the next best thing! Earning a minor will show your employer that you do know about the field.

If you have already graduated, continue your education

Of course, if you have already graduated, you can’t get a minor in your desired field. However, there are more ways to prove to potential employers that you do know what you’re doing. You can consider getting more education and certification in your desired field. This can be as simple as attending a weekend seminar. Alternatively, if you want to do something more invested and get even more education, you can apply for a post-baccalaureate program. It will take more time, but you will have a formal certificate in the field you want to work in! Getting further education in these ways will you’re your employer that you do know about the field even though you didn’t major in it.

Volunteer in your desired field

Another way you can show your interest in a new field is by volunteering in it. The best way to learn something is to do it yourself! When you volunteer, you will learn all the things you missed in the classroom. You might even learn something about your field they don’t teach in the classroom. In addition to learning more about the field, this volunteer experience will look good on your resume. Your resume will look strange to an employer if it has no mention of the field. But if you volunteer, you can mention your experience. Also, volunteering will introduce you to people who work in your desired field. They can be resources and connections to help you land your job in that area. All in all, if you want a job in a field that has nothing to do with your major, you should volunteer in that field! It will help you gain skills and connections that will help you land your dream job.

Focus your resume on transferable skills

If you want to get a job in a field that has nothing to do with your major, you need to focus your resume on transferable skills. Transferable skills are skills that can be transferred from one job/field to another. They are universal and beneficial for many jobs. Mention these skills in your resume rather than skills specific to the field you majored in. For example, you can emphasize skills such as leadership, teamwork, creativity, and public speaking rather than your knowledge of organic chemistry. When you mention your transferable skills, your potential employer will see that even though you didn’t major in the field, you still have skills that can be useful in it.

Peoples’ interests change throughout their college careers because they are discovering who they really are. College students will become totally different people by the time they graduate. In fact, many college students decide they want to work in a different field than the one they originally majored in. If this happens to a younger student, they can just change their major. But what if you are a junior, senior, or even a graduate who suddenly shifted their career goals? It might not be smart to change your major at this stage in the game (or you might have already graduated!). Still, if you work hard, you can still find a job in your desired field. It is definitely possible to find a job in a field that has nothing to do with your major.

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