You’re likely heard the worry about whether students who graduate from liberal arts colleges get jobs. So you’ll be glad to learn then that 75 percent of our graduates are employed within a year of earning their bachelor’s degree. Another 16 percent are pursuing additional education while four percent are doing volunteer service (such as Peace Corps or mission work).

What’s more, our colleges have highest four-year graduation rate in the state (and the Midwest). Why does that matter? Not only are our students are less likely to pay for extra years of tuition, but they’re also more likely to begin their careers — and earning money — sooner.

Employers know that liberal arts graduates make great additions to their organization because our graduates:

1. have ‘transferable’ skills that help them adapt quickly to new situations. These include critical thinking, analytical problem solving, excellent communication, adaptability and ability to contribute to team environments.
2. have a well-rounded foundation of knowledge in a variety of areas as well as in-depth knowledge in their majors. They are life-long learners who want to continue learning and growing professionally throughout their careers.
3. are confident and able to relate well to others. They leave school with leadership experience in student organizations, sports teams, theater productions and musical groups, making them flexible and prepared for a wide array of opportunities.
4. have learned beyond the classroom through:

• internships that provide real-world experience and prepare interns for future careers.
• experiential or service-learning courses that require service in the community and build on the information learned in the classroom.
• study abroad experiences that develop cultural competencies and prepare candidates to be effective in diverse and global work places.

Our colleges also provide strong alumni networks, support of career services and meetings with recruiters as well as an annual Job and Internship Fair where seniors from all our colleges can meet with potential employers.

Simply put: Employers seek the knowledge and skills that our grads have. Along with specific skills, they want to hire people who are flexible and creative. “They have to be well-rounded, curious, good problem solvers and able to handle a variety of situations,” noted the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce's Bill Blazar. “This goes to the heart of a liberal arts education."