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

Chemistry Majors

• Explored chemistry underlying art-related topics such as papermaking, pigments, photography, and metals in combined lecture and laboratory setting (CHEM 108)
• Analyzed fundamental chemistry and physics behind conventional and emerging energy technologies, emphasizing the intersection of technology with economics, policy, and social factors (CHEM 112)
• Demonstrated proficiency in mathematical practices for chemistry, applying numerical calculations, algebraic functions, and data handling in chemical contexts (CHEM 113)
• Acquired foundational knowledge in Principles of Chemistry: Structure and Reactivity, emphasizing chemical species structures, stoichiometry, and laboratory skills (CHEM 115)
• Applied structural and quantitative models of chemical behavior in Principles of Chemistry: Energetics and Dynamics, covering bonding, thermochemistry, equilibrium, and kinetics (CHEM 116)
• Explored Drug Discovery and Molecular Design, gaining insights into relationship between molecular structure and material properties, with hands-on laboratory projects (CHEM 158)
• Formulated quantitative descriptions of chemical equilibria and developing skills in classical, separation, electrochemical, and spectrochemical methods (CHEM 210)
• Applied Statistical Methods in Analytical Chemistry, developing expertise in data analysis, statistics, and Microsoft Excel usage based on real data collected during (CHEM 211)
• Explored Atmospheric & Environmental Chemistry, studying fundamental chemical processes controlling Earth’s atmosphere, ocean, soil, and climate (CHEM 212)
• Delved into Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, examined nanoscale science and technology and exploring their influence in chemistry, biochemistry, and environmental chemistry (CHEM 225)
• Successfully completed Organic Chemistry I, understanding the relationship between structure and function in organic compounds and utilizing instrumental analysis for compound identification (CHEM 250)
• Studied organic reactions, mechanisms, and synthesis with real-world applications from the polymer and pharmaceutical industries (CHEM 252)
• Surveyed structures, properties, and reactivities of chemical elements in Inorganic Chemistry, with emphasis on multidisciplinary aspects and laboratory synthesis projects (CHEM 320)
• Explored molecular level of biological processes in Biochemistry I, covering protein structure, enzyme kinetics, and the chemistry of biological molecules (CHEM 340)
• Investigated theoretical descriptions of chemical systems in Physical Chemistry: Thermodynamics and Kinetics, emphasizing chemical equilibrium, kinetics, and catalysis (CHEM 370)
• Conducted original experimental research in Instrumental Analysis, focusing on spectroscopic, chromatographic, and electrochemical techniques (CHEM 410)
• Presented individual seminar in Senior Seminar, showcasing culmination of knowledge and skills acquired throughout chemistry major (CHEM 680)

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

Neuroscience Majors

• Explored emerging knowledge of the brain’s involvement in emotional behaviors, including physiological and psychological states, focusing on neural plasticity, human neuroscience methods, emotions, and pathophysiology of affective disorders.
• Examined physiological and psychological processes by which we receive, transform, and use the information from the world acquired through our senses emphasizing visual and auditory perception, and allowing a more in-depth study of two perceptual systems and providing information useful to those interested in the visual arts and music.
• Used EEG to observe alpha and gamma brain waves and the effects our visual working memory has during in-lab sessions.
• Examined interdisciplinary ways in which behaviorally active drugs exert their effects, drawing on research in pharmacology, psychology, biochemistry, anatomy, and neurophysiology, and providing an understanding and appreciation of the role of behaviorally active drugs in people’s lives, today and in the past.
• Worked on ______________ project with lab partner (give more details of your project from NESC 200).
• Applied structural and quantitative models of chemical behavior in Principles of Chemistry: Energetics and Dynamics, covering bonding, thermochemistry, equilibrium, and kinetics.
• Completed Organic Chemistry I, understanding the relationship between structure and function in organic compounds and utilizing instrumental analysis (NMR, IR, and GC-MS)  for compound identification

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

Statistics

• Utilized a range of analysis techniques, such as linear and logistic regression, ANOVA, nonparametric methods, and effectively employed computational tools like cross-validation and bootstrapping
• Analyzed datasets and conducted ANOVA analysis, validation testing, and hypothesis testing to estimate health insurance pricing
• Acquired proficiency in data analytics and visualizations; conducted data cleaning, wrangling, manipulation, and modeling to provide meaningful visual representations of data
• Created a Shiny App project that utilizes the R Language to display the frequency of different sorts of crimes in each state on an interactive US map
• Proficient in statistical techniques including sample distributions, conditional probability, descriptive statistics and graphs, random variables and their distributions, independence, the Central Limit Theorem, parametric and nonparametric hypothesis tests, and multiple regression
• constructed and enhanced classifiers by employing machine learning methodologies such as LASSO, KNN, Random Forest, Linear Regression, and MARS
• Explored Bayesian statistics, contrasting with frequentist approaches; skilled in Bayes’ Theorem, hierarchical models, and Markov Chain Monte Carlo methods
• Developed statistical theory with real-world applications, focusing on estimation and testing principles from both frequentist and Bayesian perspectives
• Explored resampling methods such as permutation tests and bootstrap intervals
• Used MS Excel and Minitab to _____________