About Liberal Arts Career Services
At Liberal Arts Career Services we are committed to helping students take full advantage of the power of a liberal arts education. We believe that a liberal arts degree is the best preparation for our students' future, whatever our students plan to pursue. Our mission statement is "translating a liberal arts education into a world of opportunities" and we enjoy helping our students find these opportunities.
But we also know that many students struggle with the transition between their courses of study and the working world. They question the "value" of their degree, wonder if they wouldn't have been better served by studying something more "practical" and if they will ever find a job. Unfortunately, many career guides and career counselors add to these concerns by implying that the job search is a linear path which begins by setting a specific goal, attaining the exact coursework and education related to that goal, and pursuing the career in a single-minded manner. Uncomfortable with the openness of a liberal arts degree, some career advisors attempt to homogenize it and make it palatable to an employer by reducing it to the simplest common denominator of skills.
At Liberal Arts Career Services, we take a different approach to connecting our students to the workplace. While we agree that students acquire valuable skills in the process of pursuing their degrees, we believe that the strength of the degree doesn't lie in generic skills, but in the specific depth and breadth of the knowledge gained in and out of the classroom. We therefore encourage our students to examine the courses they've taken, look beyond the superficial aspects ("I'm a history major and am good at research") and dig deep for the unique learning and understanding they developed through their education and experiences.
- With which theorists or experts have they found themselves in alignment? Why?
- What theories or philosophies have they most enjoyed learning?
- How could they see themselves applying a particular theory or philosophy in their lives?
- How could an understanding and appreciation of Emily Dickinson lead one to a career as a psychologist?
- Why would a poet make an excellent business writer? What do those two schools of writing have in common?
- What are the leadership lessons one can learn from studying the thinking processes of the generals in the Civil War?
- How can an understanding of Buddhist philosophy help one become a better manager?
- How could an anthropologist solve personnel problems in a factory?
Our ultimate goal, then, is to help our students understand and articulate the value of their experiences here at UT. To that end, we provide a number of services to our students including specialized workshops and programs for specific majors, resume and cover letter writing assistance, practice interviewing, recruiting programs which bring employers to campus, pre-law assistance, etc. For a more detailed explanation, please visit our Student section on the LACS website.
Specific Ways We Support Faculty
Classroom Presentations
We welcome the opportunity to speak directly to your students. We can present in any class at any time. We are also available to "fill in" for you if you're are unable to teach a class and would prefer not to cancel the class.
Beneficial Resources
The field of job placement is increasingly litigious and you can, with the best of intentions, find yourself in challenging situation legally. Below you will find links to information regarding the interaction of faculty and students in the job search process, including the latest guidelines for writing reference letters and ethical standards for referring students to job openings. I encourage you to read these guidelines and ethical standards, and always contact our office if you have any questions regarding the provision of such services.
Credit-based Courses for Students
LA325 Liberal Arts in Management
Offered each fall to upper-class CoLA students, this course takes traditional liberal arts subjects (such as storytelling, ethics, and visual literacy) and uses traditional liberal arts texts (literature, film, articles) to illustrate and understand key management issues (motivation, innovation, strategic planning). Students come away from the class with a clearer sense of their degree and major and a better understanding of its value in any workplace.
LA101: Introduction to the Liberal Arts
Open to all CoLA freshman, this course introduces students to Benjamin Franklin's concept of "habits of mind," encouraging students to open their minds to the courses they will encounter in a liberal arts curriculum, helps students explore the characteristics of the myriad CoLA majors, and provides them with a system for making the most of every class, regardless of its perceived "value."
Liberal Arts 310, 310wb, and 110wb: Internship
Experiential learning enhances a liberal arts education and allows students to test their interests prior to graduation. Students can receive credit for internship experiences in fall, spring, and summer sessions. Classes are offered on-campus as well as via the web to facilitate experiences outside the Austin area.
Students who are encouraged by faculty are much more likely to take advantage of our services. It's that simple. Please consider becoming a partner with us in helping our students make the most of their time here at UT.