Liberal arts majors can face major roadblocks in making the transition from the classroom to the workplace, but they can all be overcome with the very skills they developed during their education.  Here are some tips:

1.  Acquire knowledge about the workplace, typical entry-level positions, and how to find them.
Use your liberal arts research skills.  Searching the Internet or talking to an alumnus in the field can provide you with information you will need, including:

• the typical entry-level positions in the field
• the educational requirements for different positions in the field
• the "lingo" or language of the field
• the geographic area where most people work
• the firms most likely to hire and whether they are in the nonprofit, government, or business sectors; and where job opportunities are posted.

2.  Get direct experience.  Do an internship, volunteer, or get a part-time job in the field.  Don't worry about your title.  Getting an inside look at the industry is what's important.  Low-level jobs can lead to better opportunities, if not at that organization, at another.

3.  Start at your career center and go beyond.  Attend the workshops.  Read your career center's web site thoroughly.  Ask the staff to review your resume and cover letters.  Use the recruiting program and job fairs to interview with employer who interest you.  Remember, though, that even the best career center can only expose you to a portion of the job market.  Use all their services, but be prepared to work independently and proactively as well.

4.  Become a star salesperson for your degree.  You must have absolute confidence in your degree and your ability to apply it to the marketplace if you're going to convince employers to hire you.  Ask good questions, show your knowledge, use your well-honored "people" skills, and watch the employer's attitude change.  To do this:

• Analyze and think deeply about your major.  What have you been learning?  How does your major apply to the work you want to do?
• Consider all the classes you took, not just your major.  How did your courses related to one another?
• Identify your key talents.  This will give youa  clue not only about your strengths but also about how to sell those strengths to an employer.  Are you a great communicator, researcher, writer, thinker, memorizer or creator?
• Think about what works against you in the marketplace and directly challenge an employer's assumptions.  How will you sell your potential?  Did you take a class where you knew nothing about the subject but by the end of the semester were practically an expert?  Could you do that on the job?
• Document and back up everything you say.  Keep a file of your work in and out of class that can ultimately be compiled into a portfolio to show employers.
• Develop your "liberal arts story."  Craft an interesting and succinct story that illustrates your potential in the workplace.
• Be an active learner.  Notice the skills you're developing in your classes.  Are you learning to work on a team, writing more efficiently, or managing your time better?  Join student associations related to your planned profession.  Consider student membership in a professional organization.

• Face tackling the job market with enthusiasm and a plan.  Almost everyone fears the job market, and we avoid what we fear, but it's time to go forward into the world, and these next three steps will help.
  1. Develop Focus.  Get excited about planning your first career.  Don't worry about whether this is something you plan to do for a lifetime.  Just focus on what you want to do next year and what you can do today to move toward that goal.
  2. Take Action.  A proactive job hunter seeks out opportunities for networking with alumni, visits the career center early and often in the process, develops internships and other opportunities, etc.
  3. Notice What Works & What Doesn't and keep adjusting your plans accordingly.  If your resume isn't getting notices, take it to your career center for further review.  If you get to the interview stage, but nothing happens, do a mock interview.  If you've created your liberal arts story, but it isn't selling, share it with a career counselor.
• Your liberal arts degree is not just preparation for the workplace; it is preparation for life.  People change jobs and careers many times throughout their lives.  A liberal arts degree will prepare you for those changes and help you thrive in the workplace and beyond.

(Kate S. Brooks, Ed.D., Director of Liberal Arts Career Services, University of Texas at Austin.  NACW: Job Choices for Business & Liberal Arts Students, 47th Edition)