Hofstra College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Career Services

What Can You Do with a Liberal Arts Degree? You can do just about anything!

The Career Center in collaboration with the Dean of Arts and Sciences supports Arts & Sciences students in there major and career development endeavors.We understand that Arts & Sciences students face important decisions regarding their job/internship search strategies and career paths.Whether you are a dance major or math, no matter your focus area The Career Center will help you obtain the tools to take your Liberal Arts and Sciences degree to the next level.

How do employers view a liberal arts education?

Many employers know that a liberal arts education prepares students for successful careers. In 2000, the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) surveyed employers across the country to determine what they look for when they hire new employees. The survey showed that employers tend to focus on finding graduates with the right skills rather than the right major. The majority of employers surveyed indicated that a new employee with the right skills could easily learn the specifics of an industry.

The survey also showed that employers desire transferable skills, skills employees take with them to any job, such as written and verbal communication skills, the ability to solve complex problems, to work well with others, and to adapt in a changing workplace. These transferable skills are characteristic of a liberal arts education.

An AT&T survey also found that liberal arts majors advance more quickly to middle and senior management positions than their colleagues who pursued other fields of study. This survey reflects what many employers already know: A liberal arts education equips graduates with many of the skills they need to be successful. These graduates become employees that are ready to learn.

How can liberal arts students prepare for careers?

As students pursue a liberal arts education and prepare for a career in a variety of industries, there are steps they can take to make themselves more marketable to potential employers. These other activities include pursuing:

• a minor
• elective classes
• work experience
• internships
• volunteer positions
• extracurricular involvement

To explore careers, students can:

• Meet with campus advisers or career counselors to brainstorm about possible careers options.
• Conduct informational interviews of people in jobs that interest you. Ask about the skills you should develop and opportunities to develop them. They might know about internship opportunities to help you learn more about a particular career and other related professions.
• Seek out skills wherever you can. Ask advisers about elective classes and study abroad opportunities. Find relevant internships and part-time jobs. Volunteer and become involved in student groups.

A liberal arts education can also provide an excellent foundation for students who wish to pursue graduate study in health care, law, business, or other fields. Graduate schools look for candidates who will succeed in graduate-level study. Candidates with a liberal arts background are appealing, because they demonstrate an ability to learn and succeed. Above all, keep in mind that the value of a liberal arts education goes far beyond its economic value. Liberal arts graduates are equipped with the skills to become valuable community members. They understand problems, generate solutions, and communicate those solutions to others. In many ways, a liberal arts education is education for life; it prepares graduates who can adapt and thrive in an ever-changing world.

*Adopted from http://www.iseek.com*

Who should I contact?

Arts & Sciences students seeking career guidance can meet with career counselors to discuss major choice, internship opportunities or any career related topic. Please contact us for further information at 516-463-6060.