The skills available to characters at the start of the game are based upon the fact that they went into torpor around 1650.

Mental Skills
Add Religion – Study and knowledge of religions and their ceremonies
Add Warfare – Management of troops and tactical awareness.

Note :: that Occult still deals with the mystical world. Where as Religion would be an understanding of real churches or local beliefs.

Physical Skills
Archery – The use of bow and arrow in combat
Ride – Ability to skillfully ride a horse or drive a carriage
Sail – Ability to skillfully manage all kinds of watercraft.

Social Skills
No Changes.

When deciding on specialization keep in mind the technological and social differences of 1650 vs 2011.