7 Jobs That’ll Give You Skills to Succeed in Any Industry (Even If You Have No Idea What You Want to Do)

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Lily Herman
7 Jobs That’ll Give You Skills to Succeed in Any Industry (Even If You Have No Idea What You Want to Do)

“So, what do you want to do?”

It’s a terrifying question that comes up a lot after you leave college, and coming up with an answer can be just as intimidating as actually applying for jobs. What if you don’t know what you want to do? Does that mean you’re doomed to be unemployed forever?

Luckily, it doesn’t. If you’re having trouble narrowing down what career path you’d like to take, try focusing on jobs that offer transferable skills (i.e. skills that are valuable in any industry) instead.

What sorts of jobs can make you highly adaptable in any field? Here are 7 well-rounded ones to check out.

1. Educational Technologist, Class100

If figuring out what you want is the ultimate struggle bus, why not opt for a change of scenery? Class100 is looking for young people to head to its Beijing headquarters to bring its English learning platform to Chinese classrooms.

In this role, you’ll snag a smorgaboard of skills, including work in operations, teaching concepts, curriculum development and research, all of which can set you on a path to success in any industry. Apply here.

2. Hotel and Dining Manager, American Cruise Linesr

Speaking of travel, if you’re looking for an experience closer to home, American Cruise Lines is hiring hotel and dining managers to join its eight cruise ships, which travel around the Pacific Northwest, Eastern seaboard, and Mississippi River.

This job will give you confidence in your interpersonal skills as you deal with the cruise’s guests, and possessing an ability to work with others (whether they be users, clients or guests) can take you far in any industry.

Bonus: There will probably be some really, really good free food at this gig. Apply here.

3. Customer Experience Manager, Skedaddle

If you want a crash course in the user experience, organization and operations that’ll stay with you for years to come, Skedaddle’s Customer Experience Manager role is for you. The company is looking for someone to track its online and help-desk experience to optimize growth. Apply here.

4. Marketing Manager, Zootly

Zootly, a newly launched startup making moving easier, is hiring a Marketing Manager to own its SEO/SEM efforts, track and analyze its users behavior, manage marketing campaigns and do all of this within budget. Apply here.

5. Technical and Financial Associate, GSV Acceleration Fund

GSV’s Associate role combines a number of responsibilities, allowing you to build a well-rounded skill set: You’ll be identifying and reaching out to emerging technology companies as well as providing detailed financial and technical analyses of potential investment companies. Apply here.

6. Client Services Associate, AlphaSights

Want to get a taste of the multitasking world of client services while also doing research and handling requests in a fast-paced office? If so, AlphaSights’ Associate role is a perfect fit. Apply here.

7. Sales Hustler, HigherMe

Being able to sell something is a ridiculously applicable skill regardless of industry and title, so if you want a head start, joining HigherMe’s team as a Sales Hustler and learn the ins and outs of sales. Apply here.

Feeling like you don’t know what you want to do after college can be scary. Luckily, there are thousands of jobs out there for you to apply for, and they’re guaranteed to give you transferable skills that’ll make you a valuable applicant in any industry.