Strengthen Your Resume: Major‑Specific Guide

Build Your Career Profile with Confidence!

Whether you’re preparing for internships, job applications, or graduate school, having the right materials in your career portfolio makes all the difference. Below is a guide to help you know what to include based on your major, from certifications to portfolios, GitHub links, and more.

General Guidelines for All Majors

Resume

Cover Letter

Professional Headshot

LinkedIn Profile

Transcript (Unofficial or Official)

Computer Science / Information Technology

  • GitHub Portfolio with sample projects
  • Certifications (e.g., CompTIA, AWS, Google Cloud, Cisco)
  • Personal Website or Portfolio
  • Technical Resume with languages, frameworks, and tools
  • Coding challenge platforms (e.g., LeetCode, HackerRank)

Graphic Design / Visual Arts

  • Digital Portfolio (Behance, Adobe Portfolio, personal site)
  • Software Proficiency (Adobe Creative Suite, Figma, Canva)
  • Certifications (Adobe Certified Professional, UX Design)
  • High-quality samples of work (logos, posters, branding kits)
  • Optional: Motion graphics or video editing samples

Communications / Public Relations / Marketing

  • Writing Samples (press releases, blog posts, campaign briefs)
  • Social Media Portfolio (Instagram, TikTok, LinkedIn campaigns)
  • Certifications (Google Analytics, HubSpot, Meta Blueprint)
  • Personal Website or Linktree with content samples
  • Public speaking or presentation clips (if available)

Biology / Health Sciences / Public Health

  • Research Abstracts or Posters
  • Certifications (CPR, HIPAA, OSHA, CHES)
  • Lab experience or clinical hours documentation
  • Volunteer experience in health-related settings
  • Transcript with relevant science coursework

Business / Finance / Accounting

  • Excel or financial modeling samples
  • Certifications (QuickBooks, Bloomberg Market Concepts, Excel Expert)
  • Case studies or business plans
  • Internship experience with measurable outcomes
  • LinkedIn profile with industry-specific keywords

Education / Psychology / Social Work

  • Lesson plans or classroom materials
  • Certifications (Child Abuse Reporting, CPR, Teaching Credentials)
  • Volunteer or practicum documentation
  • Reflection essays or teaching philosophy
  • Transcript with psychology or education coursework

Engineering / Industrial Design

  • CAD files or design schematics
  • Certifications (AutoCAD, SolidWorks, OSHA)
  • GitHub or technical portfolio
  • Resume with project-based experience
  • Images or videos of prototypes or builds

Performing Arts / Theatre / Music

  • Performance reels or recordings
  • Resume with roles, productions, and training
  • Sheet music or compositions (if applicable)
  • Personal website or artist portfolio
  • Reviews, press mentions, or testimonials