Felicity Andrews ’24  
Major: Graphic design 
Internship: Creative design intern, Walt Disney Company 
Hometown: Modesto, California 
Clubs/Activities: AIGA Student Group; Department of Art, Media, Performance and Design representative, Associated Students of University of the Pacific; Calliope Art & Literary Magazine; InterVarsity Christian Fellowship; TEDx UoPacific Marketing Team  

Felicity Andrews ’24 transferred to Pacific and found her creative home in Pacific’s graphic design program. With three internships under her belt already and a packed resume of campus involvement, Andrews is putting her skills to work as an intern at The Walt Disney Company where she contributes to global projects for the company. Andrews reflects on her Pacific experience, what led her to design and the advice she has for future creatives. 

Describe your internship and how your experiences at Pacific helped prepare you for this opportunity. 

I’m currently a creative design intern at The Walt Disney Company, supporting the Talent Acquisition Marketing team. Our team leads recruitment marketing efforts across Disney Enterprises, which means I have the exciting opportunity to contribute to projects spanning a wide range of Disney businesses—both domestically and internationally.  

Right now, I’m focused on supporting Disney Programs, Hong Kong Disneyland, Shanghai Disney Resort and Disney on the Yard, a program for Historically Black College or University (HBCU) students. No two days are the same, which keeps things engaging. Depending on the needs of our partners, I’ve worked on everything from promotional merchandise and flyers to booth materials for conferences. Ultimately, our goal is to create compelling materials that inspire individuals to apply and be a part of the story at Disney.  

My experiences at Pacific did play a role in preparing me for this opportunity. The design program gave me my foundation in design principles and exposed me to a variety of mediums, which helped me become a well-rounded designer. Professors Lee and DeBoer were also instrumental in my growth, as they were the ones who helped shape me as a designer.  

Pacific’s program encouraged me to think critically, stay curious and take ownership of my growth as a designer, qualities that have been invaluable and will continue to shape my career.  

What made you choose Pacific?  

I chose Pacific because it offered the combination of being local and providing a good academic program in graphic design. Commuting from home was important when I transferred from Modesto Junior College. As I explored Pacific’s design program, I was drawn to the classes available and the opportunity to earn a Bachelor of Fine Arts in two years, keeping me on track to graduate in four years.  

The beautiful campus and smaller student body also made it feel like a place where I could thrive, especially after coming from a small high school and spending my first two years of college online.  

Why did you choose your major?  

I chose graphic design because I’ve always been interested in the arts and creating. In junior high, I joined the yearbook team for my love of photography, but I stayed until my senior year of high school because I fell in love with design. Creating layouts and selecting typefaces quickly became my favorite part of the process. When I discovered I could turn that passion into a degree and a career, I knew it was the path I wanted to pursue and ran with it.  

Who has inspired you at Pacific?  

There are a handful of people who have impacted me at Pacific, but my friends in the design department have been a huge source of inspiration. Because the design department is a smaller program, I had the chance to work closely with my peers and professors DeBoer and Lee, receiving individual feedback and advice that helped me grow.  

One of my most impactful collaborations was helping to revive and co-lead the American Institute of Graphic Arts Student Group (AIGA), which the department supported, including funding our trip to the 2023 AIGA Design Conference in New York.  

The experiences I had with AIGA helped me feel more connected to the design community and shaped my passion for mentorship. I found myself guiding peers through portfolios, job applications and interviews. I realized how important it is to support new designers in today’s challenging industry.  

My time in the program also helped refine my design philosophy, which is centered on bringing joy to others through my work. That purpose will continue to guide me as I move forward in my career. 

What is your favorite memory about Pacific?  

There are so many treasured memories from my time at Pacific, it’s hard to pick just one! One of my favorites, though, is DeStress Fest and the late-night breakfast. In my final year at Pacific, I went with my friends, and it was such a fun way to unwind after the semester. We enjoyed the activities and staying up late eating breakfast together while reflecting on the fall semester which made for such a memorable time.  

What learning opportunities have you had outside the classroom?  

Before graduating from Pacific, I completed two design internships. At Blackwing, a pencil manufacturing company, I designed internal materials and at BGG Creative & BGG West, a creative agency, I worked on various client projects.  

Additionally, I worked as a graphic designer for ASUOP, where I designed flyers, social media content, stickers and even the postcard and blue Pacific posters now painted in the DeRosa University Center. These experiences gave me hands-on opportunities to apply what I was learning in the classroom in real-world settings.  

Right after graduating, I continued building on those experiences as a design intern at Gallo Winery, where I contributed to high-impact projects for major brands like La Marca, Barefoot and New Amsterdam.  

What advice would you give incoming graphic design students?  

Immerse yourself in the program and design community as much as you can. Take every opportunity to get involved: join AIGA, become a graphic designer for ASUOP, or contribute to Calliope. These experiences will connect you with a creative community and provide valuable insights for internships and job searches.  

Also, push yourself to go the extra mile on your design projects. Doing so will strengthen your portfolio and showcase your creativity. Always stay curious, embrace learning and strive for constant improvement; this tenacity will take you far.  

And most importantly, network. Networking may feel intimidating, but it’s incredibly important. Reach out to Pacific alumni on LinkedIn who studied graphic design or are in industries you’re interested in and learn about their journeys and what helped them succeed.  

Finally, don’t forget to enjoy college life! Spend time with friends, have fun and take breaks to recharge. It’s so important for staying inspired and avoiding burnout. 

How much should you charge to insure a new roller coaster? Normally, you’d look at past data about its injury rate or repair costs. If it’s new, though, you won’t have that information to reference.  

“There’s not an easy answer,” says University of the Pacific math professor, Chris Goff. “You have to have good problem-solving techniques in order to make sure you’re accounting for all the possible outcomes of things that can happen.” 

One way you can learn problem-solving: through a math degree. One Pacific math graduate ran into that very problem while working as an actuary, someone who uses math to measure financial risk and uncertainty. 

She had to be a bit of a detective and ask a lot of questions. What kind of insurance does it need? Are there similar attractions with a history of costly injuries? How many people would be riding the roller coaster regularly?  

It’s common for people to associate math degrees with teaching, but that’s just one option. People with math degrees also work in data science, logistics, finance, engineering, medicine, animation and many other careers that depend on mathematical concepts.  But a math degree can also help you develop your logical and analytic thinking to quantify difficult real-world problems into math models. 

Growing employment for mathematical careers

Bureau of Labor Statistics data reflects the importance of these roles. Averaging all mathematical science jobs, it projects a 7% growth in employment by 2033. Compare that to the overall job average of 4%. Within this data, there are some roles that are especially strong: BLS projects 15% job growth for office administrative services and nearly 18% growth for computer systems design.  

This article will break down the types of degrees, the concepts you learn and what careers you can enter.  

Applied math vs. pure math

You may have heard the terms “pure math” and “applied math,” which may come across as different fields. But the difference is less about the math itself and more about your goals.  

Pure math, though it may draw inspiration from practical application, is aimed at exploring the hardest questions of mathematical concepts and theories. Speaking simply, these researchers push forward our understanding of mathematical possibilities.  

While you might not be motivated by solving non-mathematical problems in pure math, the ideas you uncover can still have practical uses. 

“One of the big factors in internet security is the assumption that it’s difficult to find prime factors of really big numbers,” Goff says. “If you had asked number theorists a hundred years ago, they probably would not have predicted the applicability of what they were studying.” 

Applied math, on the other hand, seeks to solve specific, practical problems. A foundation in applied math can apply to many fields like engineering, insurance, health care and others. You may even create novel solutions using concepts uncovered by pure mathematicians.  

Types of math degrees

Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Arts in mathematics

Earning either a BA or BS in mathematics can give you a firm foundation in mathematical principles and generally require classes that advance your understanding of the field’s concepts and quantitative reasoning.  

These degrees have clear applications if you’re interested in teaching or continuing to graduate mathematical study, but they also give you knowledge and skills useful in nearly any career.  

“They may not have specifically trained for that job they have, but they have this general kind of liberal arts training that involves quantitative reasoning and problem-solving skills—especially the quantitative part,” Goff says. “There’s a lot of data in the world today. People who are willing to work with data and figure out what that story is, that’s going to be more and more important in the future.” 

Bachelor of Science in applied mathematics

A BS in applied mathematics starts with many of the same foundational courses in calculus and linear algebra, then diverges after that point. In this degree program, you’re encouraged to take classes including computer or data science, statistics and probability, research modeling or financial mathematics.  

Universities approach applied mathematics programs in different ways. A good way to compare programs is to look at the major’s course catalog, where you can see how a university structures its program.  

Some applied mathematics programs may have a more formal structure, requiring specific classes in non-mathematical sciences along with elective courses where you can specialize in certain topics. Others may have a less formal structure where you and an adviser can tailor your courses to fit your interests and career goals.  

Other degrees

There are also math degrees that may not be available at every university. Statistics is a mathematical discipline that may be offered as its own degree at some schools, while others include statistics education as part of a math or applied math degree.  

Another discipline is actuarial science, which trains you to apply math and statistics to assess risk for industries like finance, insurance or investment. Universities do not commonly offer this as its own degree, but some may offer it as a minor or a concentration for another math degree. 

It’s also worth mentioning that you can generally take either math or applied math as a minor. This can help round out your education in another area and demonstrate a breadth of skills to an employer. 

“It helps their resume stand out differently than the other students competing for certain jobs. It shows that you’ve thought more about problem solving on its own, that you’re more versed in different ways of solving problems,” Goff says.  

Bachelor of Science vs. Arts

A university may offer you either a Bachelor of Science or a Bachelor of Arts in mathematics. What is the difference between the two?  

While a BS in most fields indicates a more technical education, like more math/science courses and lab work, this differentiation isn’t quite as clean for mathematics degrees themselves.  

The biggest difference is generally the number of math courses required. A BA in math often requires less major-specific course work, meaning you have more room to pursue another academic interest.  

If you want to become a teacher, for example, a BA gives you room to pursue educational courses alongside mathematics. If you plan to go to law school, the BA option would allow more room in your schedule to include more law-oriented courses.  

A BS in math requires more coursework in math. If your career goal is oriented around mathematics itself, like graduate study or economics, this is a great option to hone your knowledge.  

If a university offers both options, you can compare the two in the course catalog. There, you’ll learn about the exact requirements to graduate with either a BS or a BA in mathematics.  

Studying math at Pacific

Pacific can offer you a goals-oriented, hands-on education in mathematics. Because of Pacific’s relatively small student body, you can interact more with your fellow students and your professors.  

Goff points out his most recent Calculus II class had just 25 students. Compare that to some larger universities, where you may be in classrooms with dozens to hundreds of other students.  

Pacific also offers a comprehensive set of disciplines, meaning you can pair your study of mathematics with other fields. If you’re studying to be an engineer, you could double major or minor in applied mathematics.  

“We’re a comprehensive small university,” Goff says. “If you wanted to study mathematics and economics, you could do that here. There are a lot of different offerings here I hope would appeal to a variety of students.” 

Pacific can also help you become a teacher through the Single Subject Credential, which you can use to teach math at middle- or high-school level.  

If you were really interested in the actuary’s dilemma at the opening of this article, Pacific does have a BS in applied mathematics with a concentration in actuarial sciences. 

Careers with math degrees

Even though you may not immediately associate math with a particular job, a math degree can open doors across a variety of industries.  

You can pursue careers in mathematical research or data science, for example. There are positions across private industry, government agencies and research institutions requiring advanced knowledge in any number of specialized mathematical topics.  

Goff highlights data science, which relies heavily on statistics, as a rising industry. We live in a world full of data about our consumption habits, political tendencies, medical incidents and more. Having a foundation in statistics and computer science is a potent combination to interpret that data and find the story within it.  

Mathematics is an essential part of an actuary’s toolkit. Many actuaries work in insurance or consulting, but industries like health care, banking and finance also need people to assess risk. 

Another option you may not have considered: working in logistics. Shipping a single item from one place to another is relatively easy. Shipping hundreds or thousands of items to places around the country or around the world? That’s much harder.  

Logistics specialists help companies get products to brick-and-mortar stores at a large scale, and they help large e-commerce stores ship efficiently. They may even serve a civilian role in the military, where they organize large movements of people, equipment and supplies. 

“It may not be numerical and may be a little more creative, but our math majors have experience with problem solving,” Goff says. “They can see it and say, ‘Oh, that’s not going to be a good avenue. This is a better avenue toward a solution,’ so they can help steer complex situations.  

Some students take their problem-solving skills into fields you don’t associate with math at all. Goff points out that Pacific math graduates have gone on to law or medical school.  

“They feel like diagnosis is very similar to problem solving,” he says. “You’re looking at data. You’re looking at past experiences and asking, ‘Does this apply? Is this the same? Is this different?’” 

Math degrees can be an excellent pathway into any job that needs people who have training in formal logic, critical thinking and quantitative analysis. Here are a few other careers:  

• Accountant
• Meterologist
• Investment analyst
• Financial analyst
• Cryptographer
• Statistician
• Market researcher  

“Oh, I forgot one more,” Goff adds. “You can become the Pope.” 

Pope Leo XIV does indeed have a BS in mathematics. You probably shouldn’t hold your breath on that one, though.  

Math degree crossword 

See if you can remember some basic math terms with our math-focused crossword. 

Student projects are a great way to show off your skills and education to employers after graduation. Sometimes, they even snowball into something bigger.  

That’s exactly what Asher Bloom ’24, Achish Enriquez ’26, Peter Williams ’25 and Ben Shafer ’26 of Pacific’s media production program did, taking their project, “Rhythm,” from a short project into a full-length documentary.  

Now in post-production, it follows Sacramento-based drummer Floyd Kennedy as he teaches music at his church well into his retirement. 

The team says the support of their professors and the Department of Art, Media, Performance and Design made the documentary possible. The department played a pivotal role, funding a trip to the annual media festival South by Southwest. There, they met professionals whose advice and support convinced them to turn “Rhythm” into a documentary.  

Like many projects to come out of Pacific, the core of “Rhythm” starts with the connections students make with each other. 

Learning by doing 

In 2023, Enriquez, Bloom, Williams and several other Pacific students created the EXR Film Production Collective. It served as a way to expand their work portfolios and a chance to learn from each other.  

Their first project was the music short film “remember,” which won first place in the Community Filmmakers category at San Joaquin Delta College’s Digital Media Film Festival in 2024.  

“Rhythm,” started out in a similar vein, set to be just a few minutes long and part of Bloom’s senior project. He also had personal ties to its subject.  

Bloom had known about Kennedy since he was young when he took drum lessons with one of Kennedy’s former students. Years later, when Bloom was a student at Pacific, he started taking lessons with Kennedy directly and learned more about his life.  

“He’s had this amazing life of mentorship through teaching at Natomas High School in Sacramento, where he created a drum line from scratch and helped thousands of students throughout his 30 years there,” Bloom says.  

But the project isn’t just about Kennedy’s drumming or his students’ accomplishments. It’s also about how his efforts as an educator have built communities.  

“He is not only a teacher. He’s a mentor. He’s a father figure,” Enriquez says. “And that’s something that should be shared with everybody—shared with administrators, shared with teachers—to know they can make such a big impact on people’s lives.” 

That was the spark for inspiration, a desire to celebrate the legacy of educators and mentors like Kennedy. So, the team got to work on their short project.  

Turning “Rhythm” into a documentary 

In March 2024, Pacific’s media department sent 13 students to South by Southwest, the annual media festival in Austin, Texas. It’s a chance to screen the new media, network and to get advice on projects and careers.  

Among those students were Enriquez and Bloom, who brought a teaser trailer for “Rhythm.”  Their conversations with professionals convinced them it had bigger potential.  

“We were so inspired by all the films, all the creatives in the area and all the advice we were given about our project,” Enriquez says. “We decided to increase the length, drop it as a spec ad and create a story. That really meant it could impact so many lives.” 

The team kept filming Kennedy, even following him to the Gospel Music Workshop of America in Memphis, Tennessee. As the team worked on “Rhythm,” they put their education to use and built up their skills.  

Bloom, the director and producer, says his media production degree prepared him for the technical matters, but shooting the documentary has strengthened his soft skills.  

“One thing I didn’t know much about before starting the project was really how to interview people and how to structure a story in a way where it’s digestible and understandable,” he says.  

Enriquez, the producer, wore a lot of hats while handling on- and off-set logistics. The experience built up her leadership abilities, especially as she raised money for “Rhythm.” She says it’s also improved her skills at managing a team.  

The team didn’t do it alone, though. Bloom and Enriquez highlight mentorship at Pacific as an essential part of the process.  

Mentorship that matters 

The team says Pacific faculty have offered invaluable advice about the project, often giving viewpoints from other creative perspectives.  

“I’ve gotten some from my graphic design professor,” Enriquez says. “I’ve gotten some from my adviser, from Professor Joshua Salyers. It’s important to have support like that because it makes you feel like you’re really creating change.” 

On top of faculty mentorship, Enriquez also highlights the opportunities the department offers to its students. This year, she’ll be going to the Cannes Film Festival in France with the department.  

“Opportunities like that don’t come easily,” she says. “So, it’s really great that they give those opportunities to students because it’s really valuable in shaping who you are and what you want to be.” 

As for “Rhythm,” the team hopes to finish and release it by August of this year. They’re currently working on a crowdfunding campaign to secure funds for post-production costs and hope it’ll be part of the 2026 film festival circuit.  

At its core is a story they hope will touch educators everywhere, regardless of whether they’re still working or retired. 

“Floyd’s story is a lot more than just drumming or gospel drumming,” Bloom says. “His faith is at his core, but he’s been using it to impact literally thousands of students. That’s the story we’re trying to tell.” 

University of the Pacific emphasizes hands-on learning, so that you’ll enter the job market with career-ready skills. Sometimes those projects even lead to something bigger, like these Pacific media production students whose documentary “Rhythm” started as a senior project.  

A history degree is more than a journey through the past—it’s a gateway to a variety of careers. From business and law to education and public service, the skills gained from studying history can prepare you for a fulfilling professional life. History majors find careers in various fields, leveraging critical thinking, research and communication skills developed during their studies. 

Why study history?

The American Historical Association best captures it: “Everything has a history.” Whether examining the roots of cultural movements or analyzing political trends, history gives us the tools to make sense of the present. It also hones skills like critical thinking, research and communication, which are essential in today’s job market. 

Jobs for history majors 

History majors are equipped for diverse careers. Here are some common paths: 

Entry-level roles: 

• Paralegal: Apply research and organizational skills to legal cases. 

• Marketing coordinator: Use storytelling to craft compelling campaigns. 

• Research analyst: Analyze trends and data to support decision-making. 

• Legislative aid: Provide policy research and administrative support in government roles. 

Careers requiring additional education: 

• Lawyer: Build arguments and advocate for clients using analytical skills. 

• Museum curator: Design exhibits that educate and inspire. 

• Archivist: Preserve historical documents and artifacts. 

• Educator: Teach history at the high school or collegiate level. 

History graduates often pursue careers in business, law, education and public administration. To maximize career prospects, students should: 

• Engage in internships: Apply classroom knowledge in real-world settings. 

• Network actively: Connect with alumni and professionals through industry events. 

• Seek mentorship: Work closely with faculty who provide personalized guidance and support. 

History at Pacific: A unique experience

University of the Pacific’s history program offers a dynamic and personalized approach to exploring the past while preparing for the future. 

Hands-on learning opportunities 

Students don’t just study history—they live it. Pacific emphasizes hands-on learning with opportunities such as: 

History internships: Gain practical experience through partnerships with local museums, libraries and historical societies. 

Research projects: Dive into unique archives like Pacific’s Holt-Atherton Special Collections, home to the John Muir Papers and other invaluable resources. 

Community engagement: Initiatives like Digital Delta Project: Little Manila Recreated allow students to uncover and preserve Stockton’s rich cultural history. The department also explores digital narratives, combining the study of history and digital technology. One example is the AR campus tour students created, offering an augmented reality walk through Pacific’s history. 

Tailored academic paths: With small class sizes and dedicated faculty mentors, Pacific’s history program ensures students receive individualized attention. Students can choose from areas like music history, art history or traditional historical studies to suit their interests. 

Unique and engaging courses offered by the history department include: 

• Global History of Food 

• A History of Alcohol and Intoxicants 

• Pirates, Sailors and Smugglers at Sea 

• History Goes to Hollywood 

• Global History of Sport 

History major requirements at Pacific: 

Pacific’s history curriculum ensures students graduate with a well-rounded education. Key components include: 

• Breadth courses: Cover diverse periods and global cultures. 

• Research projects: Focus on primary and secondary sources to build evidence-based arguments. 

• Capstone experience: A final project that showcases students’ analytical and communication skills. 

• Accelerated three-year plan: Pacific offers a three-year degree option for students eager to enter the workforce or graduate school. This pathway saves time and money while maintaining the quality and depth of education. 

Explore the possibilities

Studying history isn’t just about understanding the past—it’s about shaping the future. Whether passionate about preserving cultural heritage, advocating for social change or analyzing global trends, a history degree can help you achieve your goals. Learn more about the history program at Pacific and start your journey today. 

Lucy Carpenter ’22 

Current job: Player Social Coordinator, MLB 
Major: Media arts and production, communications minor 
Hometown: Singapore 
Sports: Women’s volleyball and beach volleyball 
Favorite places in Stockton: Gian’s Deli, Market Tavern 

When you turn on a Major League Baseball game, you’ll see dozens of athletes in peak physical condition going head-to-head. What you don’t see, though, are the people behind the scenes who handle the other aspects of MLB’s day-to-day operations.  

You might think of coaches, physical trainers or meal planners. There are also plenty of people who do jobs you might not have thought of. For example, consider player social coordinators. They’re the people who help your favorite MLB player fill their social media with their best moments. 

“We coordinate custom content for all the guys in the league,” says Lucy Carpenter ’22, who earned a degree in media arts and production with a minor in communication. “So, we work with the video editors and graphic designers to create custom videos, highlights and recap videos for them to post on their Instagrams and TikToks.”  

For Carpenter, who was a dual sport athlete throughout her time at University of the Pacific, working in major league sports seems like a natural evolution. You might assume that working for such a big business means you need to arrange your college career around that outcome.  

But that’s not how it played out for Carpenter, who says her education, her sports and internship with Pacific Athletics kept her pretty busy. It was in her senior year, when she applied for an internship with the San Francisco Giants, that her vision started coming together. 

“It made me realize that even if I’m not an athlete after I graduate, I still wanted to be involved with sports. It’s part of my identity. And I thought it would be so cool to contribute to sports, especially from the creative side, which is what I was studying,” Carpenter says.  

Getting a start in professional sports 

Being in Stockton turned out to be a key step in her journey toward MLB. After graduating, Carpenter reached out to the director of communications for the local minor league baseball team, the Stockton Ports. That led to a part-time job in the team’s press box.  

Her experiences at Pacific helped get her foot in the door. Carpenter was pursuing her interests in social media through her communications minor, using the creative skills she was learning for her media arts and production degree. That had also helped her during a Pacific Athletics internship, where she worked in a baseball press box and created content for their social media.  

Those experiences helped her identify an opportunity for the Ports. 

“I expressed my interest in social media. I knew they had social media pages, but they didn’t really have anybody running them,” Carpenter says.  

After a few weeks of working with the Ports part-time, the team asked her to run its social media. That led to a full-time internship and turned into a job at the end of the season.  

One lesson Carpenter highlights about her time with Pacific Athletics and the Ports: keep an eye open for opportunity and go after it when you see it. That attitude is what helped her land her current role.  

Working with Major League Baseball 

She was looking for a job with a Major League Baseball team when she came across a listing for an MLB player social coordinator. With the 2023 baseball season looming, Carpenter applied. About three weeks later, was coordinating content for MLB players’ social media profiles. 

Even at the national level, Carpenter points out that her work still has Central Valley ties. 

“Aaron Judge is from Linden, which is near Stockton. And he is one of the guys we work with a lot,” she says. “After every series win the Yankees have, we provide Aaron Judge a video for his Instagram. So, if you see the little highlight videos that he posts, that’s us.”  

Looking back now, Carpenter jokes about how far she’s come since her first year at Pacific. There’s a lot of pressure on high-school students to start planning their careers, especially if they want to work for a prestigious sports league like MLB. Looking ahead isn’t a bad thing at all, and it can help guide your path to success. But Carpenter’s story emphasizes the importance of the process of getting there, too. 

“Just go for it, right? You never know who you’re going to meet. You never know what it’s going to lead to,” she says. “It doesn’t have to be forever, but it’s a learning opportunity. And it’s going to take you somewhere.” 

 So, it’s important to have a plan, but it’s also important to be adaptable and learn along the way. 

For anyone else interested in working in major league sports, Carpenter says the most important thing is to get involved. 

“Whether it’s event staff working in the press box, or social media or even volunteering,” she says. “That’s a great resume opportunity. It’s really cool being able to work in your college athletic department and it’s also a perfect learning opportunity. That’s a good entry-level step. It doesn’t matter if it’s big or small. Take any opportunity you find and create opportunities for yourself if they’re not coming to you.” 

From the moment Kayleigh Fick ’25 set foot on Pacific’s campus; she was eager to dive into her political science studies. But what she didn’t expect was how one professor’s mentorship would shape her academic path in ways she never imagined. Through her connection with history Professor Laura D. Gutierrez, Kayleigh discovered that college isn’t just about gaining knowledge—it’s about finding the people who help you grow, challenge you, and inspire you along the way. 

Fick was already an active student in her sorority and in the Pacific Legal Advantage program. But after taking her first history course, Modern Latin America, with Gutierrez, she soon learned how intertwined history and politics are. The experience was so compelling that it led her to add history as a minor.  

“That class really challenged me to develop my writing and research skills,” Fick said. “We had never touched on Latin American history in high school, and I found it incredibly compelling.” 

She soon found that not only was Gutierrez a teacher she could learn a lot from but also a personal mentor who could lead her to law school.  

The role of a mentor 

“She’s definitely been a constant source of support and a mentor that really challenged me to grow,” Fick said. “She didn’t let me stay still in my growth. She challenged me to always improve, always be better.” 

Outside the classroom, Gutierrez helped Fick conduct research for her Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship project, which focused on the works of Argentina’s former first lady, Eva Perón. Fick chose Gutierrez specifically to mentor her through the fellowship. 

According to Fick, one of the most important things Gutierrez taught her during her research on this project was the need for accessibility. So, she translated all Perón’s speeches into English, which had previously not been made available before. Under Gutierrez’s guidance, Fick created a website containing all of Perón’s speeches as well as an interactive map that shows the user each location where Perón gave a speech. Because of Gutierrez’s influence and Fick’s dedication, more people can access the speeches and learn more about an important leader in Latin American history.  

A support system beyond academics 

The relationship between Fick and Gutierrez extended beyond academics. As a woman navigating the traditionally male-dominated field of history, Fick found inspiration in her Gutierrez’s resilience. 

“Dr. Gutierrez has paved her own way,” Fick said. “It’s been really nice to have somebody to talk to and a confidant that has been through it all and come out successfully.” 

Fick also invited Gutierrez to the faculty dinner at her sorority to show her appreciation for her mentorship.  

“I got to learn a lot about the work she does because she was an officer in her sorority, and I got to peek into an entirely different side of student life,” Gutierrez said. 

Their bond was strengthened further when Gutierrez had a baby during the summer research program. Despite the temporary absence, Fick felt empowered to continue her work independently.  

“She trusted me to take initiative, and that gave me confidence in my abilities,” Fick said. 

The lasting impact of mentorship 

Fick says Gutierrez’s guidance has left a significant mark on her confidence and career aspirations.  

“I used to be so anxious about professional and academic settings,” Fick said. “But now, as I prepare for law school, I feel assured in my ability to write, advocate for myself and navigate the professional world.” 

Fick has been accepted into Washington and Lee University School of Law but first she plans to take a gap year to work in government. She credits Gutierrez and the rest of her Pacific professors for supporting her ambitions and encouraging her to take the time she needs to refine her skills. 

Advice for future students 

For those hesitant to seek help from their professors, Fick offers simple advice: take the initiative.  

“Going to office hours can be intimidating, but professors at Pacific genuinely care about their students.” Fick said. “Developing relationships with faculty has been one of the most rewarding aspects of my college experience.” 

Fick says her experience is a testament to the power of mentorship at Pacific in shaping not just academic success but personal growth and professional confidence. Gutierrez’s guidance helped her find her voice, refine her skills and prepare for the challenges ahead. 

A bachelor’s degree in psychology is often perceived as a steppingstone to advanced studies or a career in clinical psychology. However, the vast majority—approximately 75%—of psychology graduates immediately enter the workforce after receiving their degree, highlighting the broad applicability and value of a degree in psychology. 

The versatility of a psychology degree 

Psychology majors gain a deep understanding of human behavior. They learn to analyze, interpret and apply data in valuable ways across various fields. This versatility makes a psychology degree one of the most adaptable undergraduate programs available. The skills developed—critical thinking, communication, and a solid grasp of research methods—are highly sought in many professions. 

Possible jobs with a bachelor’s degree in psychology 

According to Carolynn Kohn, chair of University of the Pacific’s Department of Psychology, students with a psychology degree often pursue careers in human resources, business, marketing and social work. “Many psychology majors don’t necessarily become psychologists but instead apply the knowledge of human behavior to industries like business, education and health services,” she explains. “These fields value skills in critical thinking, problem-solving and understanding human dynamics.” 

Let’s delve deeper into some of the career paths where a psychology degree can serve as a strong foundation: 

• Business: Understanding human behavior is a critical advantage in the business world. Psychology graduates often excel in roles like management, where they can apply motivation, leadership and organizational behavior principles to lead teams and manage projects effectively. They may also thrive in sales, where understanding consumer psychology helps employees identify customer needs and drive sales strategies. 
• Marketing/PR: Marketing and public relations professionals must craft messages that resonate with their target audiences. A background in psychology provides insights into the cognitive and emotional triggers that influence consumer decisions. This knowledge is key in developing campaigns that effectively capture attention, build brand loyalty and influence purchasing behavior. 
• Journalism: Journalists with a psychology degree bring a unique perspective to their work. Whether covering human interest stories, investigative reporting or writing about mental health, these professionals can draw on their understanding of psychological principles to create compelling and empathetic narratives that engage readers on a deeper level. 
• User experience (UX) design: UX design is increasingly common, and psychology majors are well-suited for this career. By applying their knowledge of cognitive processes and human behavior, they can design user interfaces that are intuitive, accessible and enjoyable to use. Understanding how people interact with technology allows designers to create products that meet users’ needs and expectations. 
• Human resources: Psychology graduates are ideally positioned to work in human resources, where they can apply their skills in understanding interpersonal dynamics, conflict resolution and organizational behavior. HR professionals with a psychology background are adept at managing employee relations, conducting compelling interviews and designing training programs that enhance employee performance and satisfaction. 
• Mental health and counseling: While a career as a licensed counselor or therapist requires additional graduate-level education, a bachelor’s degree in psychology is the first step. Graduates can work in supportive roles such as case managers, mental health advocates or psychiatric aides, where they can gain valuable experience before pursuing further qualifications. 
• Speech-language pathology: Speech-language pathologists work with individuals who have communication disorders. A psychology background benefits people in this field, providing a solid cognitive and developmental psychology foundation. While this career requires additional specialized education, a psychology degree is an excellent starting point. 
  • Social work: Social workers often help individuals and communities navigate health, relationships and challenges in social systems. A psychology degree equips graduates with the empathy, communication skills and understanding of human behavior necessary to succeed in social work. They may work in child welfare, family services or community outreach. 
  • Law: The legal field highly values the analytical skills and understanding of human behavior gained through a psychology degree. Whether pursuing careers as lawyers, paralegals or consultants, psychology graduates can apply their knowledge to cases involving mental health, family law or criminal behavior. Analyzing motives and predicting behavior is particularly useful in courtroom settings. 
  • Teaching: Psychology graduates can also find rewarding careers in education. They can teach at the high school level with additional certification, offering psychology, social studies or even health courses. Their understanding of learning processes and developmental stages is particularly beneficial in crafting effective teaching strategies. 
  • Academic and career counseling: Academic and career counselors guide students through their educational journeys and help them make informed decisions about their futures. Psychology majors are well-equipped for this role, possessing the interpersonal and analytical skills to assess students’ strengths and interests and provide tailored advice. 
  • Politics/Public administration: Understanding the motivations and behaviors of individuals and groups is essential in government and public administration. Psychology graduates can contribute to policy development, public relations and community outreach by applying their knowledge of social psychology and behavioral science. Their ability to analyze public opinion and design interventions makes them valuable assets in this field. 

The psychology program at Pacific: A pathway to success 

Pacific’s undergraduate psychology program is designed to provide students with a comprehensive education that prepares them for a variety of careers. The program’s unique three-year option allows students to complete their bachelor’s degree in an accelerated timeframe. This option particularly benefits students eager to enter the workforce or pursue graduate studies sooner. In addition to saving time, this pathway can also reduce the overall cost of education, making it a wise financial choice. 

Pacific also offers opportunities for students to engage in research, internships and service learning. These experiences enhance students’ understanding of psychological concepts and help them build a strong resume and professional network. The program’s faculty is committed to supporting student’s academic and career goals by providing personalized guidance and mentorship. 

Kohn advises students to explore as much as possible through internships, research opportunities and volunteer work. “Explore, volunteer, do internships, get any applied or practical experience. Each time you do that, write down specific aspects you enjoyed and didn’t enjoy. This helps students learn more about what they do and don’t want to pursue,” she says. “Coursework rarely provides this information, so practical experience is key.” 

For students interested in pursuing graduate studies, Pacific’s psychology program offers a solid foundation in research methods, statistics and psychological theory. Graduates are well-prepared to succeed in competitive clinical psychology, counseling, developmental, social, experimental, social work and neuroscience graduate programs. 

“Our students graduate with valuable research and applied experience, which enriches their education at Pacific and greatly increases their attractiveness as future employees, graduate students or professional school students,” explains Kohn. 

Success stories: Psychology majors making a difference

Pacific psychology majors have gone on to achieve success in various fields. Some, who participated in the Pacific Legal Scholars Program leveraged their degrees to make a difference in the legal field. Others have found fulfillment in global health initiatives, such as the transformative internship experience of a psychology and speech-language pathology student in the Dominican Republic. These stories demonstrate the wide-ranging impact that a psychology degree can have. 

Building a career with a psychology degree 

Building a successful career with a psychology degree often involves a combination of education, applied experience and networking. Here are some steps you can take to enhance your career prospects: 

• Engage in internships and volunteer work: Practical experience is crucial in applying psychological principles to real-world problems. Internships and volunteer positions provide hands-on experience and can help clarify career goals. 
• Pursue additional certifications or education: Depending on your career goals, you may need to pursue further education or certifications. For example, counseling, social work or speech-language pathology careers often require advanced degrees. 
• Network actively: Attend industry conferences, join professional organizations and connect with alums to build a network supporting your career development. 
• Stay informed: Keep up with the latest research and trends in psychology and related fields. This knowledge will make you a competitive candidate and help you identify emerging opportunities. 
• Seek mentorship: Building relationships with faculty and professionals in your desired field can provide valuable guidance and support as you navigate your career path.

The future of psychology careers

he field of psychology is constantly evolving, with new research and technological advancements opening even more career opportunities. For example, the growing field of artificial intelligence and machine learning has created a demand for professionals who understand human behavior and can apply this knowledge to develop user-centered technologies. 

As mental health becomes an increasingly important global issue, the demand for psychology professionals is expected to rise. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment in psychology-related fields is projected to grow faster than average over the next decade. This growth is driven by an increased awareness of mental health issues and a greater emphasis on preventive care.  

Moreover, the COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the importance of mental health, leading to increased investment in mental health services and research. This movement will likely create new opportunities for psychology graduates in telehealth, mental health policy and digital mental health tools. 

Do you know what you want to study in college?  

Not every student can answer that question, and that’s perfectly OK! Over the course of your degree you will learn about, refine and maybe even change your interests. In fact, nearly a third of undergraduate students change their major at least once, according to the National Center for Educational Statistics.  

We understand this can be difficult, which is why University of the Pacific supports students entering as undecided or “exploratory.” If you enter as exploratory, you will enroll in a seminar to learn about Pacific’s many degree programs. You will also be paired with an adviser who will help you match your interests with classes.  

With that support in your corner, you can choose a major with confidence and still graduate in four years. Let’s break down how it works and whether it’s right for you.  

Why choose the exploratory pathway?

Bella Murillo ’28 is an exploratory student trying to decide between biological sciences and public health and community wellness.  

“I want to be sure, when I choose my major, that’s the one I want to keep,” she says. “I don’t want to keep going back and forth.” 

Students enter Pacific as exploratory, or undecided, for different reasons. Some, like Murillo, do it because they’re deciding between degree programs. Others do it because they’re not sure what discipline they want to pursue yet. 

“There are a lot of degrees that high school students don’t even know exist,” says Lee Skinner, the dean of College of the Pacific.  

Skinner teaches the Dean’s Seminar, where exploratory students learn what degrees are available, what they entail and how they can use them in the working world.  

“I have students who tell me, ‘Oh, I didn’t even realize that was a pathway,’” Skinner says, adding that it’s more than just an exploratory course. “We help students in the Dean’s Seminar understand what it means to think like a biologist or political scientist or artist.”  

This guided adjustment is one of the benefits of not directly entering a degree program when you start college. It also means exploring your aspirations and your abilities. Advisers will talk with you about your long-term goals and help you create pathways toward that outcome.  

Underlying this pathway is Pacific’s ethos of helping students develop and maintain that exploratory mindset, which is a key ingredient for innovation, bringing that into their workplace.  

“We educate leaders,” Skinner says. “We see that our students tend to get promoted faster than their counterparts who graduate from other universities.” 

For Pacific, helping students go on to successful careers is reflected in our student outcomes: in 2024, the Wall Street Journal/College Pulse ranked our university as the eighth best private school for social mobility nationally.  

How does it work?

If you enter without declaring a major, you’ll take the Dean’s Seminar during your first fall semester. Over 15 weeks, you’ll learn about the fields you can pursue. This course focuses on hands-on experiences, where you will do activities like art workshops, political debating or using specialized equipment.  

The seminar will also introduce you to other academic resources at the university like the academic support services hub, which offers support for research, math and writing.  

Kirsten Calso ’27, who entered Pacific with an interest in biological sciences, took the course with Skinner and felt it was a great opportunity to learn about the breadth of Pacific’s programs.  

“I specifically remember this one time she brought in a professor from the School of International Studies,” she says, “I was like, ‘Oh my gosh, that sounds so fun.’ It was definitely something that I would gravitate toward in the future.” 

Along with the Dean’s Seminar, you’ll also work with an adviser who will help you develop a class schedule that fits your interests. One adviser, Professor Alan Lenzi, says he likes to look at students’ long-term goals and use that to identify majors that fit that outcome.  

“It’s my job to help them find where their gifts are,” he says. “They’re exploring while they move toward a degree. And it also means exploring oneself.” 

Lenzi approaches advising with a critical eye, giving students a career-oriented perspective on majors. For example, he says he might advise a student interested in business to take classes to understand the diversity of future partners, employers and clients. Adding a data science or economics major, for instance, might help them stand out to employers after graduation.  

Advisers can also answer your questions about your classes, which has been helpful for students like Murillo.  

“He’s good at getting back to me and being very helpful,” she said about her adviser. “It definitely helped calm my stress a lot.”  

The goal of this system is to empower you with the information and perspectives to take your education into your own hands. You’ll have up to four semesters, the end of your second year, to decide on a major.  

Will I still graduate in four years?

The exploratory pathway helps keep you on track to complete your degree in four years. Some students can feel like they’re behind their peers, but Lenzi pushes back on that idea.  

“Being exploratory doesn’t mean that you’re behind the ball. It doesn’t mean that you don’t know what you want to do,” he says. Instead, think of it as not committing to a discipline you’re unsure about.  

To earn a degree at Pacific, you’ll need to take major-specific courses and general education courses. You will also take courses outside your primary major as part of the breadth requirement. The classes you take as an exploratory student will generally fall into one of these categories, regardless of what major you pursue. 

“You’re at a stage where it’s literally very exploratory,” Calso says of her first year. “You’re trying to narrow down on a discipline, taking these general education classes. Still, those are pretty much applicable in any degree I’m going to go into.” 

Take, for example, an exploratory student who’s considering a history degree. In their first semester, they took the Dean’s Seminar, History 050, CORE 001 and a general education elective. The next semester they continue on to History 051 and CORE 002, along with two general education electives.  

If that student declares as a history major at the start of their second year, they’ll have completed the required CORE and introductory history classes, clearing the way for more advanced study. Their electives will count toward the requirement for coursework outside the student’s major and may also count toward the general education program.  

Compare that to a student who entered as a history major. They will have also taken the same CORE and history classes. Maybe they took more history classes rather than general education courses. But even if they’re ahead on major specific classes, they’ll still need to take courses outside their primary major for the breadth requirement. 

So, by the start of the second year, this pair of theoretical students have made roughly similar strides toward completing their degree. But what if that exploratory student decides they want to keep exploring and choose a different major?  

Exploratory students have until their fourth semester (typically at the end of the second year) to declare a major, so they’ll have time to try out other interests. In this case, those history courses and electives will now count toward the non-major coursework requirement. You can see how the exploratory pathway is flexible in these instances, designed to ensure your class choices help move you toward a degree in four years.  

In election years, it’s easier to see what political scientists do: they track public opinion, advise campaigns about issues that will help them win and make predictions about what voters will support or reject. But the field of political science is broader than commentary and analysis on elections, and a BA in political science will provide you with an even wider range of possible careers.  

Political scientists study human behavior to understand why people make choices—their goals and desires and the external factors that nudge them in different directions—to understand how public opinions and political currents shift and can be shifted.  

They learn how groups and organizations function and how authority and political power operate in different structures, including different systems of government. They learn to understand these institutions from the outside or work effectively within them. And they investigate how laws and public policies are formed through political and administrative processes and sustained through enforcement and public support.  

“Political science is about trying to think systematically about interesting and important questions related to law and policy in all the places and forms where we find it,” says Brian Klunk, chair of the Department of Political Science at University of the Pacific.  

Careers for political science majors

Law and political science

Most students in Pacific’s political science program choose that major because they want to go to law school—and these students tend to go, either right away or after a gap year, he says.  

Others hope to work in the legal field in some other way. While working as a paralegal (a non-lawyer who works closely with attorneys, conducting legal research, helping with preparation for trial and dealing with correspondence and files) is probably the non-attorney job within the legal field that comes to mind most easily, there are others:  

• Legal assistant: A legal assistant has an administrative role with less responsibility than a paralegal. Key responsibilities include filing, communication with clients and managing schedules.  

• Court reporter: Court reporters transcribe court proceedings, establishing the formal record of events which can later be cited as evidence.  

• Contracts administrator: A contracts administrator is responsible for understanding the terms of contracts that a firm is involved in administering and ensuring parties’ compliance with them.  

• Discovery specialist: A discovery specialist helps gather and preserve evidence needed in legal cases, whether physical or digital.  

• Law indexer: Law indexers create indexes for sets of laws and regulations which enable lawyers to easily access these documents.  

Politics, government and public policy 

It’s no surprise that political science students often become involved in student government while in college—or that they go on to hold elected office in local, state or national government, like Pacific political science alumnus James Aiona, lieutenant governor of Hawaii from 2002-2010.  But many others work in other areas of politics and public policy, working on campaigns, within state or federal bureaucracies or for nonprofit institutions.  

“A lot of public policy is not implemented by the government itself but by grants to private organizations or companies which administer the funds,” says Klunk. Many political science alumni work at this intersection of public and private efforts.   

Entry-level jobs for political science majors in politics, government and public policy include:  

• Campaign staffer: Campaign staffers do much of the day-to-day work of campaigns, which can be a blend of administrative work, manual labor, and management depending on the role.  

• Political consultant: Political consultants provide advice to political campaigns, helping them to run successful campaigns by conducting market research, creating communications campaigns and helping to raise campaign funds. 

• Legislative assistant: Legislative assistants work for lawmakers, monitoring the progress of proposed laws, doing research to inform future laws, answering phones and communicating with constituents and helping arrange and support events.  

• Assistant speechwriter: Assistant speechwriters work on a team with other speechwriters, and in addition to drafting material for speeches, do research including fact-checking, proofread speeches and provide other assistance. 

• Foreign service officer: Foreign service officers work for the U.S. Department of State and are stationed in embassies around the world. In addition to completing an application, people interested in becoming foreign service officers must pass the Foreign Service Officer Test and Foreign Service Officer Assessment before they are considered for hiring. 

• Lobbyist: Lobbyists represent the interests of their clients to members of government to encourage the creation of laws and policies that will serve their clients well.  

• Policy advocate: Policy advocates communicate arguments in favor of specific government policies to a variety of audiences, including both policymakers and concerned citizens.  

• NGO staffer: Non-governmental organizations are usually non-profit bodies with missions that are oriented toward addressing a particular issue in society or making improvements within a locality. They can be small or large, focused on individual communities or global issues.  

Business and political science

Finally, many political science students also choose to go into business after they graduate. The skills they develop during their education—their critical thinking skills, ability to do careful analysis, experience doing research, and presentation skills—serve them well in business settings.  

Entry-level jobs for political science majors in business include:   

• Policy analyst: Policy analysts monitor local, state and federal laws and regulations to help a company ensure that it can comply with these, avoiding fines and other negative consequences. They conduct research and brief company leadership on their most important findings.  

• Market research analyst: Market research analysts conduct surveys and monitor markets in other ways to understand whether demand for a company’s products is stable, increasing or decreasing, so that the company can adapt to changing conditions and continue making a profit.  

• Business analyst: Business analysts study a company’s financial health, looking at its processes, operations, expenditures and profits to find ways that it could be more efficient, reduce waste and increase profit.  

• Financial manager: Financial managers analyze a business’s assets to find ways to increase its profitability. While it is similar to a business analyst position, this role is more narrowly focused.  

Graduate school possibilities 

Some political science students choose to go to graduate school in other areas than law.  

Professional graduate programs prepare students for specific professions, careers or industries.  

• Public policy/public administration: The programs prepare students for jobs in local, state or national government; in administrative agencies; or in non-profit or other independent non-governmental organizations.  

• International relations: International relations programs prepare students for positions working for international businesses including banks and law firms; governmental organizations including the U.S. Department of State; organizations like the World Bank, International Monetary Fund or the United Nations; or non-governmental organizations with a global reach.  

Academic programs: Political science and political theory graduate programs prepare students to teach, usually at the undergraduate level in universities or community colleges.  

Why study political science at Pacific?

It’s important for political science students to gain real-world experience during their time in college, to “have exposure to what it is people really do in the world,” says Klunk.   

Pacific recognized the importance of hands-on training for political science majors early and instituted an experiential learning requirement, which can be satisfied in several ways, including a political science or pre-law internship, participation in the university’s Washington Semester program, or conducting research. 

Internships and other forms of experiential learning give political science students a more thorough understanding of the day-to-day work of a lawyer or a legislative assistant or someone who works in policy advocacy, give them substantive experience to include on their resumes and help them learn more about the field and about their own skills and interests.  

Students also have the opportunity to join Pacific’s renowned speech and debate team, which is nearly as old as the university itself. The team competes in events across the country and hosts tournaments on the Stockton Campus.  

Political science students at Pacific can pursue a concentration in criminal justice or minors in pre-law or public affairs. Accelerated programs, which allow students to complete their undergraduate degrees in three years, are also available for students who want to pursue law or public policy at Pacific’s McGeorge School of Law.  

Students are also connected with the university’s alumni network; they are required to have informational interviews with political science alumni, who often go on to provide career help and mentorship to students. 

At Pacific, Klunk says, “students become well-informed people who are  citizens, who can look at the world of public affairs and understand it and know how to participate in it, who are aware of and informed about the world and have the skills to make sense of it and to act in it.”   

Learn more about studying political science at University of the Pacific.

There are some majors that have a single vocational path, but with a liberal arts degree your options are much broader and typically don’t lead to one specific career. The liberal arts encompass a wide range of disciplines, including the humanities, social sciences and the natural sciences. With today’s rapidly changing economy, having a broad base of knowledge is an advantage that helps you adapt when industry demands change. The holistic approach of the liberal arts will not only pave a broad career path for you but will also open far more skills for you to apply in the real world.  

What are the liberal arts?

Traditionally, the liberal arts include subjects within humanities, like English, literature, history, philosophy and art history, which explore the human condition through creative expression and critical analysis. Social sciences, like psychology, sociology, anthropology, economics and political science, deconstruct society and social relationships. Today, the liberal arts have expanded to include natural sciences like biology, chemistry and physics, so you can have a scientific perspective on the world. This diverse range of disciplines will empower you to become engaged in the economy society is facing today. 

The skills you’ll develop

A liberal arts-based degree develops your critical thinking skills; exposes you to a wide range of ideas, which makes it easier for you to work with diverse teams of people; forms your written and oral communication skills; helps you grow into a creative thinker and problem-solver; and develops your research skills. These are all proficiencies employers value no matter what industry you work in. 

“Knowing how to write decently, knowing how to think critically, how to ask the right questions, to understand systems, to look for holes, to have a low threshold for indignation – that’s the kind of stuff that comes from having a liberal arts degree,” said freelance journalist Makana Eyre, who graduated from University of the Pacific with a political science degree in 2012.  

Career pathways

A liberal arts education offers a broad spectrum of career opportunities:  

• Business and management: human resources specialist, marketing coordinator, business analyst 

• Media and communications: journalist, public relations specialist, content creator 

• Law and public policy: paralegal, policy analyst, legislative assistant 

• Social services: social worker, community service manager, counselor 

• Research and analysis: market research analyst, historian, data analyst 

• Nonprofit sector: program coordinator, fundraising manager, volunteer coordinator 

• Education: teacher, academic adviser, curriculum developer 

Opportunities in tech

The liberal arts play an important role in today’s tech-driven economy. Many industries are looking for critical thinkers in digital mediums who communicate well and address ethical concerns and issues. Diversifying your liberal arts studies can also help you later in your career.  

Tech leaders with liberal arts degrees

• Susan Wojcicki, the former CEO at YouTube, studied history and literature at Harvard. 

• Stewart Butterfield, the former CEO at Slack, studied philosophy at the University of Victoria. 

• Sheryl Sandberg, the former COO of Meta, studied economics at Harvard. 

University of the Pacific graduate Kim Austin’s career as a content strategist at a tech company evolved from her combination of English and computer science classes. She originally studied English to become a teacher but after she graduated in 1990, she was able to land a job at the software company as a content strategist because of her writing skills. 

“My English degree got me in the door, and my technical knowledge from computer science classes was instrumental in getting my first job,” Austin said. “From there, I moved into technology marketing at major tech companies, evolving my content skills to include digital strategy, social media, search optimization and other aspects of content marketing as the field was developing.” 

The advantage of the liberal arts is that your future doesn’t have to be confined to one area of study. The knowledge you gain from a more general education will help you adapt when industries change and will give you foundational skills that go beyond the workplace. 

“This diversity in career trajectories highlights the strong foundation students receive in understanding complex human and media dynamics,” said Pacific communication professor Qingwen Dong. 

The liberal arts and AI

AI is rapidly reshaping the world as we know it. A liberal arts graduate is well-positioned to play a crucial role in its development and implementation. Humanities graduates, with their understanding of philosophy, history and culture, can help develop ethical frameworks for AI–designing it to avoid creating biases for example. You could also become a policy maker for AI, ensuring that it is used responsibly and ethically. Pacific physics professor, James Hetrick, believes AI could be pushing society toward a Fourth Industrial Revolution. 

“The First Industrial Revolution–the steam engine–did something similar to AI. We could build a machine that did the work that we previously could only do with teams of animals or natural forces,” Hetrick said. “The humanities responded with new themes in literature, new artistic expression, new ideas. I think the humanities and liberal arts today will respond similarly to disruptive new technologies.” 

The liberal arts at Pacific

“By fostering critical thinking, effective communication skills and information competency, we prepare students not just for their first job but for a lifetime of careers,” Dong said. 

At Pacific, you can personalize your education with on-campus opportunities that include interdisciplinary projects like the Digital Delta Project which explored the complex history of California’s Delta region. History, geological and environmental sciences, and computer science majors collaborated to design educational video games about diverse communities in Northern California’s Delta region.  Humanities students can also join the Think Tank program in which students from different majors collaborate on projects that explore problems facing the local community and find solutions.  

Pacific emphasizes hands-on learning to create an engaging class environment by integrating activities into courses. For example, Reacting to the Past, a classroom role-playing game designed for higher education, is at the core of Ancient Arithmetic, a course that combines history with mathematics.  

Make the most of a liberal arts education 

A more general education can expose you to subjects beyond your major that may provide advantages later in life. One way to explore a new subject area is to find a mentor, like a professor or graduate student, who is doing research that interests you. Pacific sociology professor Marcia Hernandez believes students may limit their range and knowledge by focusing on specific subjects and careers.  

“The ability to connect and build rapport with people from diverse backgrounds is key in the liberal arts,” said Hernandez. “Part of the objectives are to empower the students to learn outside of their comfort zones and learn ways of how to have difficult discussions with others that they may disagree with.” 

By fostering empathy, critical thinking and effective communication, a liberal arts education prepares students to navigate a diverse and interconnected world. 

Explore the liberal arts at Pacific