Exploring Careers

Exploring majors, careers, and everything in between can be a lot! CLA has designed resources, guides, and other materials to help you make sense of it all.

Before you jump in, ask yourself What do I want to explore? What are some questions I can try and answer? And What do I need to do in order to answer them? We’ll help you think through possible exercises, from self-reflection to in-person workplace observation, volunteering, and more.

Assessments won't give you all the answers or specify for you exactly what career to pursue. But they can provide some insights into who you are, along with some action steps that may be helpful to you as you explore options and, ultimately, make decisions about your academic and career pursuits.

Liberal arts degrees lead to successful careers in almost any industry, so you can let your imagination run wild during your career exploration! CLA graduates have used their degrees across all majors to enter career fields such as the arts, business, communications & media, education, government & law, healthcare & science, nonprofit & advocacy, and tech.
One of the most common questions our career coaches get from students exploring their options is "What can I do with a major in ___?" We have answers!

It isn’t often that employers come to you. But it actually happens frequently here in CLA! You will want to take advantage of this in a variety of ways as you explore your academic and career options—and, of course, when the time comes for you to pursue an internship or a job.

CLA is an excellent place to prepare for a health career! Whether you’re thinking about medical school, pharmacy, dentistry, or an advanced degree in another branch of healthcare, we can help you create a plan to complete the necessary prerequisite coursework.

Many majors in CLA are popular among pre-law students! The University of Minnesota Pre-Law Advising & Support office can help you figure out your paths and plans, wherever you are in the law school exploration and decision-making process.