A number of liberal arts colleges are launching initiatives to give students pragmatic career experience while staying true to the liberal arts mission, writes Kelly Field for the Chronicle of Higher Education.
In a series of articles, Field profiles a few of these programs:
1: Make career advising mandatory
At Grinnell College, career advising starts students’ first year with the assignment of an “exploratory adviser.” As students progress through college, they must join one of seven “career communities” led by faculty who have spent time working in the field. The college hopes the initiative will ensure that all students develop a personalized relationship with career services, explains Mark Peltz, department head of careers, life, and service.
2: Make career advising easy
Students often claim they’re too busy for career advising. So Agnes Scott College and Hendrix College offer career development workshops immediately before and during breaks. For example, Agnes Scott’s “Peak Week” is offered just before Spring Break and includes a variety of leadership development opportunities, such as visits with local employers.
3: Begin career development early
Hiram College requires students to visit the career services during their first year, and then again at three more critical points during their college experience. President Lori Varlotta explains that the goal is to “help them create an integrated narrative of their undergraduate experience.”
Two more ways to integrate professional development into the liberal arts
4: Train faculty
Students who consult faculty members about their career options feel better prepared for workplace success than students who don’t, according to a survey by Strada and Gallup. So the Council of Independent Colleges and the Association of College and University Educators opened a program that will certify 500 faculty members across 25 colleges in career guidance. “We know that faculty members are among the most influential adults in students’ lives, so we’re trying to capitalize on that,” says Richard Ekman, president of the council.
5: Make career development affordable
Unpaid internships are hard to swing, especially for low-income and first-generation students. So Claremont McKenna College and Mount Holyoke College are offering stipends and sponsorships to students who accept unpaid or low-paying internships.
6: Gamify career prep
Help students translate transcripts into resumes
Augustana College gives students a four-year checklist where they can keep track of the skill-building activities they’ve participated in, such as meeting with a career coach or attending a workshop. Students earn points for each activity, and participants who earn 100 points will be invited to an end-of-year banquet.
7: Get upper-level students back on track
Bates College is working to bridge the gap between a liberal arts education and career prep by offering courses and programs that apply lessons to real-world problems. For example, “Life Architecture” is a course offered to upper-level students who are undecided about their plans after college. The course not only teaches students how to find mentors and network, but also encourages them to reflect on who they are and what brings them a sense of purpose (Field, Chronicle of Higher Education, 9/2/18 [1]; Field, Chronicle of Higher Education, 9/2/18 [2]).
Read more about liberal arts career prep
5 fresh ideas for career prep with liberal arts students
How one college helps liberal arts grads find purpose—and good jobs
