Career Readiness Skills and Competencies to Add to Your Resume
Data Analysis and Critical Thinking
Your graduate studies will help you to exercise sound reasoning to analyze, make decisions and overcome problems, manage data, and interpret facts to solve problems.
Data Analysis and Critical Thinking examples include:
- Attended research workshops and scholarly talks in the area to further research goals
- Ability to frame a problem, critically read journal articles, interpret data, and make decisions through dissertation/thesis research.
Oral and Written Communications
Communication examples include:
- Wrote and edited emails/memos, papers, and reports clearly and effectively
- Presented at a conference
- Shared ideas/research with non-experts at Brandeis graduate events
- Started a professional blog
- Wrote and reviewed seminar and conference papers and journal articles
Teamwork and Collaboration
All career paths have a degree of teamwork, even in the most independent of environments. Whether working on developing a product, coming to consensus in a staff meeting, or simply getting along with the other people in your office, teamwork is a vital skill in today’s workforce.
Teamwork and Collaboration examples include:
- Volunteered to serve on a committee
- Joined a collaborative reading group
- Connected with colleagues at other area universities to plan events
- Formed a study group
- Joined a club or organization in your field of study
Information Technology Application and Knowledge
Proficiency with computer software programs is an important skill that will be useful in any career path you choose after your graduate studies.
Information Technology Application examples include:
- Ability to learn new technology when needed to complete research projects
- Ability to use Excel (or similar spreadsheet application) to effectively track data and generate graphs to show the outcome of work
- Showed a strong LinkedIn profile and connected with alums for strong connections
- Familiarity with general internet searches and ways in which to find information needed for research
Leadership
The ability to lead effectively, cultivating trust in your followers and making strong decisions, will allow you to excel in any career that you choose.
Leadership examples include:
- Held leadership role at Brandeis, such as chairing a panel, running for GSA office, or serving as a graduate liaison for department
- Demonstrated initiative at a job/internship by taking on a new project
Project Management
Organizing your time effectively in your academic experience is key to success in any career, from academia to industry. You’ll need to meet deadlines, collaborate with large groups, and balance multiple responsibilities.
Project Management examples include:
- Organized an event at a conference
- Planned department’s event schedule
- Created a plan to keep self organized and on top of deadlines and professional development
- Managed volunteers during graduate research
- Ability to manage multiple tasks with minimal time and resources
Teaching and Mentoring
The opportunity to teach is something that our students prize here at Brandeis. Not only does teaching help you to build other skills, such as communication and leadership, but the ability to teach is a skill on its own.
Teaching and Mentoring Examples include:
- Worked as an adjunct or visiting lecturer during graduate studies to gain experience in curriculum development, teaching, and mentoring students
- Attended TA/TF workshops to hone classroom management skills
- Practiced new pedagogies and ask for feedback
- Mentored students individually during office hours