Student Success Center

Aileen Taylor-Grant, Ph.D.
Email: [email protected]

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Career Services

A major in Arts and Letters is a powerful academic foundation that provides students with the opportunity to develop skills that future employers’ value. These include: oral and written communication, interpersonal, teamwork, technical, analytical, critical thinking, organizational, and problem solving skills.

Arts & Letters majors may find employment in government, nonprofits, social services, educational institutions, and businesses, depending on their skills, experience, and interests. Internships or volunteer work may be a prerequisite to finding employment in some fields.

For more information about career choices for specific a major, please visit the SDSU Career Services page.

CAL has a dedicated career development and program coordinator. Make an appointment via Handshake.

Ramona Acuña
[email protected]

Get help with:

• Finding your strengths
• Interview prep
• Internships
• Job Search
• Mentoring
• Resume

Career Development/ Readiness in the Social Sciences, Humanities

Launch Your Career with two Career Readiness Courses

Are you a humanities and social sciences major ready to supercharge your career path?

We’ve created two new courses designed specifically for you — equipping you with the essential skills and knowledge to translate your unique strengths into a fulfilling career.

Look for these classes offered each fall and spring!

CAL 100

For students who want to explore career options via a CAL major. This one-unit course is geared toward lower-division students and designed to help you develop a four-year career development plan that leverages your academic experiences and prepares you for life beyond graduation.

Taught by Assistant Dean Aileen Taylor Grant

• Engage with thought-provoking content that highlights the value of a social sciences and humanities education.
• Build a foundation for critical thinking, communication, and leadership skills.
• Assess your personal strengths and explore the connection between your major, values, and personality, and career goals
• Create your personal elevator speech and hone your networking, resume, and cover letter skills to stand out to potential employers.
• Learn how to leverage your academic and co-curricular experiences to build a roadmap for your future, integrating internships, projects, and experiential learning.
• Connect with faculty, advisors, and peers who support your journey.
• Explore real-world opportunities in community engagement and career development.

Enroll in CAL 100 and chart a course for success throughout your studies and into your career.

CAL 400

For fourth-year students rapidly approaching the full-time job market. Included in this three-unit course students will earn training in a Coursera Professional Certificate program in a high demand career field.

Taught by Professor Alvin Henry

• Discover the diverse career landscape
  Explore the vast range of exciting opportunities available to humanities and social science graduates, from traditional fields to emerging industries
• Highlight your skills to potential employers
  Learn how to translate your critical thinking, research, communication, and analytical skills into the language of employers
• Develop your own career roadmap
  Map out a career path that leverages your skills, interests, and values
• Develop a powerful personal brand
  Learn how to leverage your unique academic background and personal narrative to excel in a competitive job market
• Craft compelling resumes and cover letters
  Master the art of highlighting your transferable skills and experiences in a way that resonates with hiring managers and passes through AI resume screeners
• Network strategically within your field
  Discover effective strategies for building connections with professionals in your areas of interest and gaining valuable insights
• Prepare for different job search scenarios
  Learn how to navigate online applications, tailor your resume and cover letter for specific positions, and excel in interviews
• Refine your professional communication skills
  Enhance your written and verbal communication to confidently articulate your value proposition to potential employers
• Explore career development resources
  Gain access to valuable tools and support networks specifically designed for humanities and social sciences students

For more details, contact Professor Alvin Henry: [email protected].

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Internships are a great way to start your career and become more competitive in the job market. An internship can strengthen your résumé, help you to develop real-world skills, and build a network of professional and personal contacts. 

The College of Arts & Letters recognizes the importance of internships, while not all of our majors require an internship as part of their programs of study; we recommend an internship for all of our majors.

For more information, check with your adviser or visit Internship Central on the SDSU Career Services website. 

For information about International Internships, please visit the CAL International Programs page.

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Want to get involved? 

Join a student group today.  There's something for everyone.

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