Professional Development

Professional Development
Professional Development

Set Yourself Apart

The Liberal Arts Career Enrichment Network provides an array of professional development opportunities for students to learn more about how a Penn State Liberal Arts education can prepare you for any career you choose. Schedule a meeting with a career coach to talk about how to explore these resources and develop a plan for your next steps.

Photo of a student from the Etiquette Dinner as part of Love Liberal Arts Week.
A student enjoying the Etiquette Dinner during Love Liberal Arts Week.

Career Exploration

The Career Enrichment Network offers courses, events, and online assessment tools that can help you match your interests with career paths and graduate education opportunities. It’s never too early to begin identifying your strengths! 

Apply for Jobs and Graduate School

The first step to advancing your career is applying—whether it’s for a job or graduate school. Learn how to build a strong professional network, craft a standout application, and even turn an internship into a full-time role.
A student meets with an employer during Liberal Arts Career Week.
A student meets with an employer during Liberal Arts Career Week

Interviewing

Good interviews are a two-way street for applicants and organizations to learn about each other and whether they’ll make a good match. Learn more about why companies conduct job interviews, the different types of interviews, and how you can make the most of each interview opportunity from start to finish. 

Negotiating Offers

The salary in your first job can set the financial trajectory for the rest of your career. A successful negotiation can lead to a higher salary, better benefits, more job flexibility—or all of the above! It’s important to advocate for yourself and receive the best offer possible in your first job and beyond.  

Networking

Networking is all about building connections that can help you grow personally and professionally. Whether you’re looking for a new job, seeking career advice, or exploring industry insights, a strong network opens doors to new opportunities. Discover practical tips for making meaningful connections, maintaining relationships, and expanding your professional circle.

Working in the Federal Government

Federal careers offer the chance to make a real impact with competitive pay, flexible work options, and growth opportunities. Whether you’re passionate about science, art, engineering, or public policy, there’s a meaningful government role waiting for you.

Alumni Mentor Program

An alumni mentor can help you navigate academic, professional, and extracurricular experiences. With the world’s largest alumni network, Penn State and the College of the Liberal Arts can help you connect with mentors from a variety of industries and job functions.  

A student and an alumnus sit at a table and talk.
Students met their alumni mentors in person at an Alumni Mentor Program luncheon
Students pose for a group photo with Dean Lang and Associate Dean for Undergraduate Studies Mark Morrisson
Students pose for a group photo with Dean Lang and Associate Dean for Undergraduate Studies Mark Morrisson

Love Liberal Arts Week

Celebrate and explore the endless possibilities of a liberal arts degree.

Fall in love with Liberal Arts all over again during Love Liberal Arts Week! Discover your perfect career match, gain practical skills, connect with your inner self, and apply your liberal arts education to meaningful opportunities. Turn your passions into purpose with workshops, panels, and activities designed to shape your future.

Additional Opportunities

Paid and volunteer work through student organizations or part-time jobs can be valuable ways to spend time outside the classroom and develop your professional skills.

Connect with the Career Enrichment Network

Featured Resources
Check out these great Liberal Arts resources to kick off your internship search
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Use a mix of Penn State–specific tools, networking, and online resources to discover internships and full-time opportunities that match your interests and goals.
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A quick, encouraging guide to help you stay confident, positive, and focused while navigating your job search.
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Explore the wide range of research happening across the College of the Liberal Arts and see how our faculty and students are shaping new ideas and discoveries.
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Get familiar with common interview questions and practice your responses so you can feel confident and prepared for anything that comes your way.
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Curious what different interview formats look like? Learn about behavioral, situational, technical and traditional interviews and how to prepare for each.
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Get ready to make a great impression — this section helps you research the company, reflect on your experience, and build your interview strategy.
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A four-year checklist that helps Penn State Liberal Arts students build academic, professional, and personal experiences to prepare for careers, graduate school, or other post-graduation paths
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The Undergraduate Research and Fellowships Mentoring program helps undergraduate students and recent alumni in the pursuit of undergraduate research and fellowship experiences through programs, workshop series, Undergraduate Research Ambassadors, and more!
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The Ronald E. McNair Postbaccalaureate Achievement Program is designed to support undergraduate students in their pursuit of a Ph.D., providing one-on-one support that focuses on the knowledge and soft skills needed for successfully pursuing a graduate degree.
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Penn State offers free access to LinkedIn Learning, an online library of thousands of video courses covering business, technology, creative skills, mental health, and more.
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The Global Careers Institute (GCI) is a professional development program designed to prepare Penn State students for career success in the global marketplace.
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LA 103 Professional Development for the Liberal Arts Student helps students prepare for post-graduation educational and career plans. Course topics include, resume and cover letter writing, interview skills, networking, leadership enhancement, and more.
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This Grad School Application Tracking Sheet helps you organize and monitor your graduate school applications, including deadlines, requirements, and application statuses. Download it to stay on top of your admissions process and manage your applications effectively.
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See how to format and highlight your academic achievements, research, and relevant experiences with this résumé sample for grad school applications.
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The goal of the graduate career diversity initiative is to provide resources and education to graduate students in the College of the Liberal Arts about non-academic career opportunities, how to prepare for them, and factors to consider when looking for non-academic jobs. Graduate education can prepare you for many different career paths—research, teaching, government, nonprofit, or private-sector.
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These résumé samples were developed for Penn State Liberal Arts undergraduates by career coaches in the Career Enrichment Network. We encourage you to model your résumé after these samples, and if you have any questions, schedule a meeting with a career coach.
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Liberal Arts majors connect to a variety of career paths. Use the “What Can I Do With This Major” online resource to help connect your major to potential career paths.
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Nittany Lion Careers connects students with a variety of career resources including job and internship postings, networking and professional development events, and career coaching appointments.
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Explore, discover, and connect to resources and opportunities in the College of the Liberal Arts. Set personal and academic goals, establish professional and personal networks, and plan and prioritize a healthy and successful schedule.
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Are you a World Campus student? You can further your career development with resources and tools provided by World Campus.
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Interested in going to law school? Then you are a pre-law student. Pre-Law advising helps students from all Penn State majors and campuses to determine whether law school is the best fit for your goals and to help prepare you for law school.
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FastStart is a mentoring program that helps first-year students from underrepresented backgrounds, as well as those students who simply want to get their college careers off to a fast start.
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Accelerate to Industry is an innovative approach to workforce training for graduate students.
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The LA 495 internship course accommodates a broad range of career fields and internship sites for students interested in earning credit for an internship. Student should discuss with their academic adviser first.
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Prepare for interviews in a variety of industries for both internships and full-time. Get tips and learn about different types of interviews.
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LionLink is a resource for current Penn State students and alumni to connect with one another. Figure out your next step, find a job, and gain career insights.
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Academic Advising supports students through a combination of in-person and virtual advising meetings. Advisers are available via pre-scheduled 15-minute quick questions, pre-scheduled 30-minute appointments, and same day drop-in advising. Students are encouraged to meet with their adviser at least once a semester.
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Find advocacy, mentorship, programming, and helpful resources for non-traditional undergraduate students during your educational journey.
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The Alumni Mentor Program connects current undergraduate students with a Liberal Arts alumni mentor. Mentors help students navigate the academic, professional, and extracurricular challenges they face at Penn State.
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Career Services assists students in specifying career goals, expanding knowledge of career alternatives, understanding effective decision making, and acquiring appropriate skills.
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The Career Enrichment Network offers career coaching sessions focused on résumé reviews, job or internship search planning, and more.
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Learn more about workshops on academic and professional English, including writing, speaking, pronunciation and job interviews.
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