Thread by @tessie18

[THREAD] #HumanitiesWork
Because I was not smart enough to record yesterday's space on career paths in the Humanities I will do a small thread on some ideas shared by the collective.
1. Know your core skills, reading, writing, thinking and sharing ideas and market those skills

2. Employers are not likely to ask you about theories you learned but this will ask you which skills you can bring to their organisations. Figure out what your best skills are, sharpen them and work into work opportunities with a clear idea on how you can use them

3. Become a content expert on at least one issue. BAs tend to generalist degrees. Because we don't have to do the 4th year we have to make the effort to professionalise ourselves. Figure out a topic or theme that you can make a niche that you excel at. Doing post-grad helps this

4. Focus on what you want to DO not what you want to BE. Find purpose. Mine is to help develop youth. It always has been. So I used that to shape my degree choices and how I decide on taking and maximizing opportunities. Job titles come and go, purpose has longevity

5. Start looking for opportunities to volunteer in various fields of interest while you are studying. Second year is a good time to start building your work CV. Good grades are important but getting experience working will make job hunting much easier

6. Don't limit yourself to typical Humanities sectors like NGOs and academia. All companies need the skills you have. They need research, critical thinking, synthesis of information and policies. Look for work in finance, tech, engineering, broadcasting. Your skills are versitile

7. When looking for jobs focus less on the job title and explicit required degree and more on the list of competencies and scope of actual tasks. You can find things on that list you can do and shape your application to fit what they are looking for highlighting your strengths

8. Upskill yourself. Do short courses on skills like project management, coding, financial management, facilitation accreditation etc. The more skills you have the more marketable you will be. Your degree teaches you to learn and is evidence of your capacity to learn. Use it.

9. Think like an entrepreneur. You and your skills are a product you need to sell to an employer but you could also freelance and sell your skills on your own terms if you are struggling to find a job. Back yourself. Show up for yourself.

10. Network. Dont be afraid to reach out to ask for help and leads. Go to events, and actually participate. Do not leave a room (or Twitter convo) without saying something, anything. Your ideas and views are more interesting and impressive than you think. #HumanitiesWork