thank you guys, love your feedback!

I agree with oneboiboy - I would also emphasize "is" means that the background is still relevant. You would typically see "was" if the background was no longer relevant or usable. As in "My background is psychology" so I am believable in things related to psychology, my skills are still good. "My background was psychology" I did study psychology, but I no longer do, so maybe my skills are poor now.

You can say both, but it depends on what you are trying to say. My background is political science, which is helpful when I go to law school (current, and affects the present and future). My background was art, but now I am switching over to the IT field (not current, and does not affect the present or future. It is just information for reference). I hope that this helps you. J.