Résumé Phrase Ideas for Different Majors

As part of your coursework in any major, you’ll experience a wide range of classes where you’ll use different techniques, study and apply various theories, use different instrumentation, and investigate multiple topics. These course-related experiences can be captured on your resume. For inspiration, here are a few examples, clustered by major (list includes non-Lawrence majors).

Anthropology Majors

  • Used variety of survey design methods including _________, __________, _________, and __________
  • Coded interview transcripts and field notes
  • Led class discussion on use of religion and myth within Ukrainian immigrant communities
  • Participated in ____ hours of field observation at after-school program
  • Conducted participant observation as part of ethnography project
  • Identified artifacts, features and sites from prehistoric through historic eras at ___________
  • Maintained thorough, accurate field notes
  • Analyzed data sets using SPSS and MS Excel
  • Investigated relationship between language and culture in establishment of social status among adolescent Filipino-Canadians
  • Identified traumatic, pathological and occupational markers on skeletons using fundamental forensic anthropology methods, including ______________

Art Majors

  • Created ___ x ___ painting using _____ techniques
  • Worked with various media, including metal, paper, ink, and ceramic
  • Familiar with various techniques, including lithography, print making, digital imaging and sculpture
  • Studied _____ art with an emphasis on the works of ___________
  • Created complex designs
  • Worked closely with art director to develop storyboards for _____
  • Designed a CD cover from concept for ________
  • Coordinated exhibition displays for 70 pieces for _________
  • Catalogued and wrote descriptions for 250+ piece collection
  • Collaborated with team of 4 students to set up and take down large-scale public display by _________
  • “________” on canvas selected for display at ________
  • Utilized ______ to create graphics and design layout for _________

Biology Majors

  • Designed several experiments, including _______, _______, ________ and _______
  • Perform a variety of molecular and cellular biology techniques, including restriction digestion, polymerase chain reaction (PCR), western blot, and immunostaining
  • Led class discussion on unique physical and biological properties and dynamics of marine ecosystems
  • Analyzed experimental data; maintained detailed lab notebook
  • Performed hormonal analyses on variety of species using enzyme immunoassays (EIA’s)
  • Studied principles of epidemiology and public health in role of microorganisms in infectious disease prevention and transmission
  • Identified artifacts, features and sites from prehistoric through historic eras at ___________
  • Utilize online tools to manipulate nucleic acids and proteins
  • Report findings in a concise, scientific writing format including proper citations and figures
  • Applied basic bioengineering principles to fermentation and downstream bioprocessing
  • Used NMR spectroscopy and mass spectrometry to analyze tissue samples

Criminal Justice/Law Majors

  • Examined the roles of police, prosecution, courts and corrections in administration of justice in United States
  • Reviewed security problems affecting commercial businesses, such as burglary, robbery, shoplifting, check fraud, credit card fraud, safe selection, counterfeiting
  • Researched sociological aspects of police/community relations, with focus on police relations with minority groups and positive police/citizen partnerships
  • Studied fundamentals of criminal investigation, including searching and recording information at crime scene, handling physical evidence, scientific aids in crime detection, a criminal’s modus operandi and criminal informants
  • Wrote mock-up law enforcement reports using state standards
  • Participated in regular in-class role plays to practice effective conflict resolution communication skills
  • Reviewed traffic laws, deposit-bond schedules, traffic stop procedures, citations, tactical awareness, accident investigations and reports, and traffic control
  • Learn how to prepare for and testify in court of law

Environmental Studies Majors

  • Studied influence corporations and environmental lobbying groups have on development of laws and policies
  • As part of 3-person team, conducted extensive study of soil erosion in downtown ____ as a result of ABC Corp.’s 2008 building renovations, resulting in 45-min presentation
  • Familiar with ecological modeling, including use of computer simulations, for understanding ecological resource management
  • Participated in field research to understand ecological relationships and biodiversity around Mt. _______
  • Spent 3 weeks gathering data at ____ Water Treatment Facility as part of feasibility study to determine cost-effectiveness of building new treatment facility in Town of _____
  • Lead class discussions on _______
  • Examined hydrologic cycle; used analytical procedures to evaluate evapotranspiration, precipitation, infiltration, and streamflow
  • Wrote proposal and 10-page report on sustainable specifications for the _____ Building in downtown _____, with LEED Gold rating as goal
  • Investigated relationship between geology and health, in particular, reviewed published research on effect of water contamination on children’s IQ in India and Mexico
  • Learned fundamental concepts of evolutionary biology, including ________

Economics Majors

  • Used economic theories to study the free trade debate, market responses to environmental damage, earnings inequality, and antitrust legislation
  • Familiar with statistical methods: sampling distributions, conditional probability, descriptive statistics and graphs, random variables and their distributions, independence, the Central Limit Theorem, parametric and nonparametric tests of hypotheses, and multiple regression
  • Collected and analyzed data using ______ techniques
  • Designed research project on ________ culminating in ___ page paper and ___ minute presentation
  • Monitored fluctuations of the ________ to study impact on stock prices
  • Collaborated with _____ students to lead class discussions on _______
  • Used MS Excel and Minitab to _____________
  • Explored the relationship between China’s ________ and Japan’s ____________
  • Applied calculus models and concepts such as partial derivatives, exponential and logarithmic functions, and differential equations to ___________________
  • Utilized various primary and secondary sources
  • Maintained general ledger and reconciled discrepancies, wrote budget proposals, maintained budget and gave annual report as Treasurer of __________

English Majors

  • Compared and contrasted _________ with _________ resulting in 8-page paper and 10 minute class presentation
  • Conducted extensive literature review of academic essays about William Blake
  • Utilized Lexis-Nexus, EBSCO Host, Jstor and other electronic databases
  • Wrote extensively on topic of female concepts of power in 18th century France
  • Conducted close readings of texts
  • Examined “war writings” of 19th century Russia
  • Explored impact of poverty on expressions of faith in poetry of 17th century Europe; contrasted findings with translations of 17th century Chinese poetry
  • Led class discussion on the use of irony in Kurt Vonnegut’s Galapagos
  • Organized meeting times among 4 fellow students for group project

Finance Majors

  • Analyzed company’s financial needs and developed short and long term plans with 4 group members for case study
  • Explored conceptual relationship between expected return and relevant risk of individual assets and portfolios of assets
  • Familiar with basic time value methodology to general valuation and integrated cash flow applications
  • Developed and analyzed clients’ financial statements (balance sheet, profit and loss) for various case studies; presented analysis and approach to class
  • Assessed clients’ financial goals and utilized portfolio allocation models to create (mock) investment portfolios
  • Monitored fluctuations of the ________ to study impact on stock pricing
  • Used MS Excel and Minitab to _____________
  • Developed business plan which was selected by local non-profit organization out of 17 submissions, as part of Innovations class
  • Performed statistical analysis of financial data of 20 HMOs in order to __________
  • Examined economic stability of four Southeast Asian countries and posited two approaches for investors interested in this geographic area
  • Familiar with how to calculate a bond’s periodic interest payment and market value when market rates are different than coupon rate
  • Explain capital budgeting, identify the costs and returns of capital budgeting projects, to fellow students as Classroom Assistant/Finance Tutor

Government or Political Science Majors

  • Analyzed and compiled reports on the proposed European Union Constitution and various political speeches to better understand _____________
  • Analyzed United Nations voting records to explore the alliances between countries
  • Acquired knowledge of the lobbying process as part of ____________
  • Researched and wrote a policy paper on Reforming International Institutions
  • Explored the impact of the ________ Act by ____________
  • Collaborated with 3 students to lead class discussions on _______
  • Compared and contrasted the political systems of _________ in order to _____________
  • Explored the impact of the _________ elections on ________ resulting in a ______-page paper and 20 minute class presentation
  • Familiar with several electronic reference databases such as, _______________
  • Utilized various primary and secondary sources
  • Examined processes for developing scientific surveys and polls, including limitations, voter participation, political decision-making
  • Prepared and delivered speech as representative of _____ for Model UN

History Majors

  • Compared and contrasted French and Russian industrial revolutions, resulting in 12-page paper and 20 min. presentation
  • Studied warfare in classical antiquity from Homeric Greece to Roman Empire
  • Examined role of women in building communities in Greek, Hellenistic and Roman societies
  • Delivered “London’s Fall From Grace” poster presentation at 200_ NCUR (National Conferences on Undergraduate Research)
  • Participated in 4-student group presentation; taught full class session, including assignment of worksheets
  • Used various electronic databases to research primary and secondary sources
  • Encouraged by History department chair to become history tutor
  • Asked by theatre department to consult on period play
  • Tutored undergraduates and high school students on variety of history topics; helped students prepare for mid-term and final exams

Marketing Majors

  • Developed mock marketing plan for startup business, including internal/external situation analysis, internal marketing quality audit, target market identification, strategic and tactical goal setting, marketing mix development; feedback and evaluation system
  • Led lively class discussion on “Customer Service and Handling Dissatisfaction”
  • Designed sample marketing communications plan, including: advertising, personal selling, sales promotion, direct and web-based communications, and public relations
  • Delivered 10-minute marketing pitch to class, successfully advocating for _____
  • Studied Internet marketing, including SEM, direct marketing, online advertising, customer relations management, ____, ____, and ____
  • Analyzed marketing data using SPSS
  • Familiar with univariate and multivariate data analysis techniques
  • Designed market research project: formulated a research problem, designed questionnaire, selected a sample frame; collected, entered and analyze respondent data; wrote a comprehensive research report in collaboration with 3 students
  • Examined issues around global marketing, with close emphasis on role of cultural diversity
  • Member of team that won 1st place in 2008 AAF-NSAC District Competition

Mathematics Majors

  • Thorough knowledge of statistical modeling, techniques and practices
  • Formulated and analyzed mathematical models for a variety of real-world phenomenon, including ________
  • Analyzed, constructed, and verified ___________ algorithms
  • Formulated and assessed logical expressions and functions
  • Graphed quadratic, rational, radical, and absolute value functions, linear equations and inequalities
  • Determined convergence and divergence of sequences and infinite series using comparison tests, geometric series, ratio test, harmonics, integral test, root test and alternating series
  • Used MATLAB to ____________
  • Wrote SQL queries using SQL Server and Oracle
  • Manipulated large data sets for analytical studies
  • Regularly assisted professor in explaining complex mathematical concepts in easily-to-understand terms
  • Analyzed data for trends and supported findings through thorough documentation
  • Presented statistical results and technical findings to class of 25 students as part of 30 min. presentation

Physics Majors

  • Familiar with classical theories of physics, including ones relating to classical mechanics, thermal physics, electricity and magnetism
  • Designed research project on ________ culminating in ___ page paper and ___ minute presentation
  • Solved 3-D calculus-based problems using Kaleidagraph
  • Collaborated with _____ students to solve ______ theorems
  • Familiar with using linear programming for qualitative analysis of data; optimization in multiple variables
  • Wrote detailed lab notes, including all methods and procedures
  • Conducted weekly laboratory exercises on laser physics and optics
  • Explored relationship between physics and music, including vibrations, waves, interference, resonance, physics of musical instruments and impact of electronics
  • Senior research seminar: built a model and developed an hypotheses – __________ – based on the theory that ____________; conducted significant literature review
  • Familiar with computer-based approaches to graphical visualization, solution of ordinary differential equations, and evaluation of integrals
  • Examined fundamental properties of crystalline solids from experimental perspective
  • Analyzed, constructed and tested circuits used in present-day research with strict adherence to standard laboratory practice

Public Relations Majors

  • Studied various theories of communications, including ____, ____, ____ and ____.
  • Examined issues of age, ethnicity, and gender in relation to communication.
  • Wrote simulated memo to parents of first year students informing them about recent changes to residence policies; letter subsequently adopted by Residence Life.
  • Interviewed attorney, J. Smith, regarding issues slander, invasion of privacy and libel; gave 15 min. class presentation summarizing interview.
  • Developed communication portfolio for St. Mary’s Hospital in collaboration with three other students.
  • Studied crisis communication; presented comparison of Mattel vs. Fisher-Price management of toy recalls
  • Wrote several university press releases, including news of $2.5 million gift
  • Gave numerous mock news conferences, including announcement of tainted beef recall.
  • Developed 20-page, corporate communications package for mock Google buyout of Facebook and gave 30 min. class presentation as part of 3-person final project.

Psychology Majors

  • Read extensively about various child development theories, including those of Piaget, Mahler, Bowlby and Bandura.
  • Familiar with research design, reseach methodologies, and statistical analysis.
  • Conducted semester-long study examining response times to visual stimuli with and without auditory distractions, resulting in 25-page paper and 30 min. presentation.
  • Examined theory that employment duration among immigrant populations is longer than that of domestic populations.
  • Used various electronic databases, including PsychInfo, PsychARTICLES, and ProQuest.
  • Lead numerous class discussion on wide range of topics, such as anxiety’s effect on studying, post traumatic stress from 9/11, and therapeutic uses of music and song.
  • As part of 5-student group, observed learning strategies of 3-5 year old children at local daycare center.
  • Utilized SPSS to analyze research findings.

Sociology

  • Familiar with various theoretical perspectives, including systems theory, exchange theory, ____, _____ and ______
  • Led several class discussions on topics such as Feminist Response to Racism, Modernizing the Catholic Church, and Sociology of the Internet
  • Examined cultural influences on consumer behavior with specific emphasis on Japanese-American culture; wrote 15-page paper summarizing findings
  • As part of 4-person group, gave 45-minute presentation on Homelessness in Chicago, theorizing that __________
  • Familiar with models of research design, data collection techniques and data analysis
  • Compared media coverage of two celebrities and two political figures to examine role of media and popular culture on daily life
  • Conducted interviews of 30 professional women (employed full time)and 32 college women (employed no more than 20 hours/week) as part of field project that explored perceptions of high-end consumer items
  • Designed social network website, using Ning, to research “group think” within virtual communities; site later adopted by instructor to conduct future research