CLA's Student Ambassadors

Major(s): Political Science and Economic Business

What advice would you give to a student still deciding on their major? 
I would encourage students to explore classes outside of their comfort zone and connect them to what they are passionate about. Majoring in Political Science and Economic Business came from trying new subjects and realizing how they could shape the change. Be curious, talk to professors and peers, and don’t be afraid to pivot when you find something that truly inspires you.
 

Major(s): Economics
Minor(s): Business Law

What advice would you give to a student still deciding on their major?
Take advantage of your general education requirements. I didn't declare my major until the second semester of my sophomore year. I was able to use the first few semesters of college to take care of the necessary general education requirements I need to graduate, but I was also able to take a wide variety of classes which I may not have been able to explore had I been in a more rigid college.

Major(s): Strategic Communications
Minor(s): Sports Managment

What unique opportunities have you discovered at CLA that you didn’t expect before enrolling?
CLA provides TONS of career support. I went to walk-in appointments and I was able to have someone look over my resume and help me edit it. Secondarily, they gave me honest feedback on my strengths and areas for improvement in regard to career readiness. It was refreshing and so reassuring!

Major(s): Political Science
Minor(s): Earth Science

How has being in the Twin Cities enhanced your college experience, both academically and socially? 
The U understands that college is more than just classes, it is a season of life where lots of students have social experiences high on their priority list. This understanding allows for the freedom for students to discover what they enjoy, while also still keeping proper boundaries for academic prioritization. You get out of it what you make of it!

Major(s): Economics
Minor(s): Management

How has being in the Twin Cities enhanced your college experience, both academically and socially?
Having transferred from a college which was isolated and extremely self-contained, having the opportunity to live, work, and study in an urban environment has been a great change. The Twin Cities provide the perfect habitat for discovery, both professionally and personally; there are unique career-enhancing connections and options, as well as community and cultural exposure.

Major(s): English
Minor(s): Spanish

How have you been supported in achieving your career goals or gaining internships while at CLA? 
Going to CLA Career Services was helpful because they were able to guide me through the process of how to write a resume and cover letter. They also offer interview preparation and they do headshots.

Major(s): Psychology

How has CLA helped you develop your career goals, and what kinds of real-world experiences have you had here (e.g., internships, research, networking)?
CLA has helped me shape my career goals by providing a wealth of resources, mentorship, and hands-on learning experiences. Through networking events and career fairs, I have connected with professionals in my field and gained insights into different career paths. 

Major(s): Undecided (Sociology, Law, Criminology intended)

How have you been supported in achieving your career goals or gaining internships while at CLA?
The combined help of the student services and professors I've had have guided me towards discovering pathways for involving myself in ways that improve my collaboration skills, limits, and general focus on myself.

Hometown: Minneapolis, Minnesota
Major(s): Human Physiology

Major(s): Biology, Society, Environment
Minor(s): Health Psychology

What is your favorite CLA Core Competency and why?
Active Citizenship and Community Engagement is my favorite Core Competency as I believe it is incredibly important to consciously serve and give back to your community. Building awareness as to how communities impact individuals develop an increased understanding of how to better contribute to the community.

Major(s): Undecided

What does being a CLA student mean to you?
Being a CLA student means having the accessibility to explore a vast array of classes with renowned and accomplished faculty and interact with a largely diverse student population. Within those majors, are thousands of unique individuals from many different cultures and backgrounds which have allowed me to make new connections with individuals much different from me.

Major(s): Speech Pathology
Minor(s): Psychology

How is your CLA experience shaping your career goals?
My career goals are shaped most by being in class, as strange as it sounds. Some of the topics in my class really excite me and make me want to learn more. As college students, our goal is to apply our learning to our own lives and careers. So, when I am in class and I learn something new that excites me, I don't hesitate to explore it in my free time.

Major(s): Psychology, Global Studies
Minor(s): Italian Studies

What advice would you give to a student still deciding on their major?
A piece of advice I would give a student that is still deciding on a major is giving themselves grace and room to explore their interests. Self and career is critical in finding out what will stick with you and what won't.

Major(s): Speech-Language-Hearing Sciences
Minor(s): Special Education

What types of academic programs or resources have you found most valuable here at CLA?
Academic advising and CLA Career Services have been invaluable. Advisors helped me align my courses with long-term goals. Career Services guided me through internship preparation and professional development, while leadership and public service programs strengthened my advocacy and policy skills, preparing me for my future career.

Hometown: St. Paul, Minnesota
Major(s): Biology, Society, and Environment
Minor(s): Public Health

How has being in the Twin Cities enhanced your college experience, both academically and socially?
Being in the Twin Cities has given me access to so many academic and professional opportunities, from research in pediatric health to working as a peer advisor. The city’s diversity also helps me feel more connected to my community while meeting people from all kinds of backgrounds. I love that there’s always something going on, from interesting lectures to cultural events to checking out new coffee shops with my friends!

Major(s): Journalism
Minor(s): Sociology

What does being a CLA student mean to you?
Being a student at CLA means gaining experience and knowledge of not only your desired major, but also knowledge of various other topics. This holistic education broadens my understanding of not only psychology, but other related interests allowing me to become more diverse and versatile. Overall, being a CLA student means greater personal growth, having a diverse range of skills and knowledge, and being able to adapt to any situation. 

Major(s): Undecided

What advice would you give to a student still deciding on their major?
It is totally okay and normal to not know what you want to major in because it is a big decision. Time and exploration is key. I would highly recommend going to the Center for Career Planning and Exploration because they have great career coaches who work with you 1-on-1 to help you figure out what your strengths/interests are and explore majors/careers that align with that.