Alumni Connections
Build your Network
Networking is relationship building. It is not just shaking hands, collecting business cards, and pitching yourself - it is about getting curious and engaging in conversations with people about the ideas and opportunities that spark your interest.
Why build your network as a CLA Student?
Connecting with CLA Alumni and other professionals allows you to:
- Explore your interests.
- Learn about industries and specific organizations.
- Discover career opportunities you’d like to pursue.
- Stand out in the application and interview process.
Learn more about how to grow your network, identify strategies to gain practice and confidence, and prepare to make a great first impression by visiting our CLA Career Guide.
Connect with the CLA Community
As a student in the College of Liberal Arts (CLA), you join an incredible community of 170,000+ CLA Alumni. Fellow Gophers are eager to share their insights and experiences with you as you navigate your CLA journey and pursue your next steps.
Explore career paths and build connections with U of M community members, including over 4,900 students and alumni from the College of Liberal Arts. This free tool is exclusively available to UMN students and alumni and allows you to learn about career paths, explore opportunities, and reach out directly to schedule virtual meetings in order to learn from and build connections with alumni.
Hear directly from alumni speakers and other professionals during panels, roundtables, and other events. Events happen throughout the academic year - attend any and all sessions that make you curious! Learn about upcoming career events in the CLA Career Corner newsletter, academic department announcements, through student organizations, and through our upcoming career events website.
Ready to Get Started?
- Search for Internships and Jobs for UMN students on Handshake
- Visit the CLA Career Guide for “how-to” guides on Networking, Informational Interviewing, and more!
- Come see us! Connect 1-1 with a CLA Career Coach or Peer Coach for further support.
Explore the paths of CLA Students and Alumni
- Read about Recent CLA Internships to learn more about past CLA student internships and to help you generate possibilities to explore further.
- Explore what UMN graduates do after graduation, based on the UMN Post-Graduation Survey data, which can be filtered by college.