Gaining Career Experiences
There are many meaningful opportunities for you to test your interests and develop your skills as a CLA Student, beyond a traditional internship experience or summer job.
How can career experiences benefit you as a liberal arts student?
- Experiences allow you to explore your academic and career options in a hands-on way.
- You’ll learn more about what you like or dislike, gaining valuable insight to gain as you navigate major and career decisions.
- Project-based learning and other career experiences develop your skills and strengthen your Core Competencies.
- Students typically leave career experiences with specific examples of how they contributed to a project, navigated a challenge, or collaborated with others to accomplish a goal - most prospective employers or graduate/professional school admissions committees will ask for these kinds of examples during interviews.
Ways to Gain Experience
There are many ways to explore your interests and strengthen your CLA Core Competencies throughout your CLA student journey.
Internships are short-term professional experiences - an excellent opportunity to explore your academic and career interests, build your connections, and develop your skills.
Employment on or off campus is a valuable way to develop your Core Career Competencies. Finding work that is related to a career or field you are exploring can be especially beneficial for building competencies and knowledge that will be essential to your success.
Leadership is a highly sought-after competency— among employers, graduate/professional school admissions committees, and others.
Learn abroad or away while you’re a student at the U of M and you’ll be strengthening your CLA Core Competencies at the same time. Problem-solving, Innovation and Creativity, and Engaging Diversity - you will be navigating new places and experiences as you learn more about yourself and the world.
Connect with peers as you explore your interests and strengthen transferable skills including teamwork, leadership, communication, and more.
Volunteering offers many of the same benefits as other experiential activities. It allows you to develop Core Competencies as you explore organizations, career paths, and work settings while creating positive change in your community.
Engaging in Research is an excellent way to gain experience, test your interests, and develop your skill set. Opportunities to engage in Research exist for students of every major! Consider how a Research Opportunity can fit into your CLA experience.
Micro-Internships for CLA Students
Micro-internships are projects that provide students with a short-term career-related experience. Students gain insight, develop their skills, and build their work experience. Engaging in short-term projects prepares you for more career experiences such as internships, research, and leadership opportunities.
Get Started with Micro-Internships or Project-Based Experience
- Visit Parker Dewey, where you can find short-term paid professional assignments ranging from 10-40 hours.
- Explore a variety of paid and unpaid project-based experiences hosted by UMN alumni on the Maroon and Gold Network.
Ready to Get Started?
- Search for Internships and Jobs for UMN students on Handshake
- Visit the CLA Career Guide for “how-to” guides, resume/cover letter samples, tips on networking, interviewing, and more.
- Come see us! Connect 1-1 with a CLA Career Coach or Peer Coach for further support.