I've been making time recently to call some of our alumni to discuss with them how well they feel we prepared them for their careers. I've also asked several of them to join us in a new effort to connect current students with internships and related transitional opportunities.
I'm amazed at how willing even some of our most successful alumni are to take the time to share their stories with me. What I've learned from them--among other things--is that the vast majority of College of Arts & Letters graduates believe we taught them well. They often mention the communications, problem-solving, and creative skills they developed in our classes. Most share a common story of having some difficulty with the initial transition from college to work. Finding the right position is not always easy for performance or liberal arts majors.
Many have spoken of the power of internships, summer jobs, and other connections in helping them ultimately find their career home. Those who share my passion for finding such opportunities for our students will note how important such experiences are in a tight job market. As faculty, one of our responsibilities is to help steer our students toward appropriate career or personal-growth opportunities. I encourage all readers of this blog--faculty, students, and alumni alike--to contact the college so that we can serve as facilitators in this important mission.