Life After the Liberal Arts Experience: The Role of Career Services in Helping Students Meet Their Full Potential Liza Jane Bernard, Director of Career Development, Bryn Mawr and Haverford Colleges Nancy Burkett, Director of Career Services, Swarthmore College Mary Raymond, Director of the Career Development & Student Employment Office, Vassar College Moderator: Jim Bock, Dean of Admissions and Financial Aid, Swarthmore College

Introduction How many of you are guidance counselors? College admissions professionals? How many of you are guidance counselors? College admissions professionals? What were your majors in college? What were your majors in college? How many of you were involved in athletics? Student government? Community service? Student media? Other student organizations? How many of you were involved in athletics? Student government? Community service? Student media? Other student organizations?

Jon Stewart Host of The Daily Show on Comedy Central & Host of the 80 th Academy Awards Psychology major The College of William & Mary

Carly Fiorina CEO and Chairman of the Board, Hewlett-Packard Philosophy and Medieval History major Stanford University

Michael Eisner CEO, Walt Disney Company English and Theater major Denison University

Stacy London Co-Host of TLC’s What Not To Wear Philosophy and Germanic Studies major Vassar College

Scott Adams Creator Dilbert comic strip Economics major Hartwick College

George Steinbrenner Principal Owner New York Yankees English major Williams College

The Value of a Liberal Arts Degree Recommended Liberal Arts Outcomes: AACU 2004 Knowledge of Human Culture & the Natural World: - Science - Social Sciences - Mathematics - Humanities - Arts

The Value of a Liberal Arts Degree Recommended Liberal Arts Outcomes: AACU 2004 Intellectual and Practical Skills: - Written & oral communication - Inquiry, critical and creative thinking - Quantitative literacy - Information literacy - Teamwork - Integration of learning

The Value of a Liberal Arts Degree Recommended Liberal Arts Outcomes: AACU 2004 Individual & Social Responsibility: - Civic responsibility & engagement - Ethical reasoning - Intercultural knowledge & actions - Propensity for lifelong learning

The Value of a Liberal Arts Degree "The only education that prepares us for change is a liberal education.... We need the flexible intellectual tools to be problem solvers, to be able to continue learning over time." "The only education that prepares us for change is a liberal education.... We need the flexible intellectual tools to be problem solvers, to be able to continue learning over time." - David Kearns, former CEO, Xerox Corporation - David Kearns, former CEO, Xerox Corporation

The Value of a Liberal Arts Degree NACE Job Outlook Survey employer ratings of importance of qualities & skills 1- Communication 2- Honesty / Integrity 3- Teamwork 4- Interpersonal 5- Motivation / Initiative 6- Strong work ethic

The Value of a Liberal Arts Degree...preparation for professional & corporate careers "The best education for an unpredictable future provides the capacity and the tools to gather, interpret, challenge, and create knowledge; to combine ideas in new ways; and to communicate effectively. The best education creates the foundation for a life of continuous learning, of honor and meaning, and engagement and service.” - Jamienne S. Studley, former President, Skidmore College - Jamienne S. Studley, former President, Skidmore College

The Value of a Liberal Arts Degree "...the liberal arts will never go out of fashion... It's transferable, useful, and in demand more than ever before in our marketplaces, organizations and industries..." "...what employer isn't needing and wanting someone who can think, reason, view matters broadly, provide context, have passion, be adaptive and be a good citizen?... LL Bean searches out people like this - we are more than willing to teach the specifics of our business." - Mark Fasold, Senior Vice President / CFO, LL Bean

Distinctive Features of a Liberal Arts College Student centered: Primary emphasis upon undergraduate study Student centered: Primary emphasis upon undergraduate study Academics: A natural haven for students seeking limitless options Academics: A natural haven for students seeking limitless options Whole life of the student Whole life of the student Alumnae/i engagement for a lifetime! Alumnae/i engagement for a lifetime!

What Students Thrive in a Liberal Arts College? Intellectually curious Intellectually curious Love learning Love learning Broad interests Broad interests Value community Value community Critical thinkers: think outside the box Critical thinkers: think outside the box Place high value on expressing themselves Place high value on expressing themselves Everyone matters and everything’s a cause Everyone matters and everything’s a cause Supportive parents are important Supportive parents are important

Career counseling Career counseling Majors and careers Majors and careers Experiential learning Experiential learning Workplace knowledge Workplace knowledge Employer and Graduate School connections Employer and Graduate School connections Networking Networking Transitioning to the “real world” Transitioning to the “real world” Continuing support for alumni career development Continuing support for alumni career development The Role of Career Services

What majors are most prominent on campus? What majors are most prominent on campus? What types of experiential learning are offered? What types of experiential learning are offered? How many summer internships do students have access to? In what fields and locations? Does the college provide funding for summer internships or offer unique alumni- sponsored internship opportunities? How many summer internships do students have access to? In what fields and locations? Does the college provide funding for summer internships or offer unique alumni- sponsored internship opportunities? How are alumni involved in the work of the office? How are alumni involved in the work of the office? Does the college have an active campus recruiting program? If so, what types of employers recruit on campus? Does the college have an active campus recruiting program? If so, what types of employers recruit on campus? Can I review your latest statistics on where students go upon graduation, sorted by major? Can I review your latest statistics on where students go upon graduation, sorted by major? Questions to Ask a Career Center

Liberal Arts Majors Case Study #1 Linus Math major, now an actuarial consultant Sherelle Biology/pre-med major, explored public health, changed major to psychology, now a psychology trainee and applying to MSW programs

Liberal Arts Majors Case Study #2 Kirin Kalia ’97 Editor, Migration Information Source, Migration Policy Institute, DC BA Political Science, Bryn Mawr College Andrew Millstein ‘84 Executive Vice President, Walt Disney Animation BA Anthropology, Haverford College

Liberal Arts Majors Case Study #3 Adam: Anthropology major, now President and CEO of Rocking the BoatAdam: Anthropology major, now President and CEO of Rocking the Boat Laura: Physics major, now Legal Assistant for Human Rights Campaign

Thank you – Your Questions? Panelists: Liza Jane Bernard Bryn Mawr and Haverford Colleges Nancy Burkett Swarthmore College Mary Raymond Vassar College Moderator: Jim Bock, Dean of Admissions and Financial Aid, Swarthmore College