Your Liberal Arts Degree Opens Doors
If you've ever wondered "What can I really do with a Liberal Arts major?" - this page is for you. The answer: more than you think.
|
Feeling Unsure? You're Not Alone.
Liberal Arts is the most flexible degree 敁珗曄部 offers and that flexibility is your superpower, not a weakness.
Liberal Arts graduates become teachers, social workers, lawyers, doctors, writers, museum curators, public health workers, business leaders, and more. The skills you build: critical thinking, writing, communication, and problem-solving, are the top skills employers say they want.
|
The Skills You're Building (And Why They Matter)
A Liberal Arts degree teaches you how to think — not just what to think. Employers consistently rank these as the most valuable skills in any career:
Critical Thinking
Analyze complex problems, evaluate evidence, make smart decisions.
|
儭
Strong Writing
Communicate clearly in emails, reports, proposals, and presentations.
|
梬儭
Oral Communication
Present, persuade, and lead conversations confidently.
|
妗
Cultural Competency
Work effectively with diverse teams and communities.
|
Collaboration
Work in teams, lead group projects, build professional relationships.
|
Adaptability
Pivot to new industries, learn fast, thrive through change.
|
Find Your Path: Pick What Interests You
Don't panic about "24 Options." Most students fit into one of 6 broad interest areas. Pick the area that excites you — your Career Advisor will help you choose the exact Option from there.
| If You're Interested In... |
Liberal Arts Options to Consider |
Sample Careers |
| Helping People & Mental Health |
Psychology · Psychology Research · Interdisciplinary Studies in Human Behavior · Social Work |
Counselor · Case Manager · Social Worker · Mental Health Aide · Community Outreach Worker |
| Teaching & Education |
Teacher Education · Physical Education Teacher · Historical Studies · Social Studies · Literature |
Paraprofessional · Teacher Assistant · Pre-K Teacher · Substitute Teacher · School Counselor (after BA) |
| Health & Wellness |
Community Health · Healthcare Management · Aging & Health Studies · Physical Science |
Community Health Worker · Healthcare Admin · Wellness Coordinator · Recreation Specialist · PT Aide |
| 儭 Law, Government & Public Policy |
Historical Studies · Social Studies · Black Studies · Latina/o Studies · Women's & Gender Studies |
Paralegal · Legal Assistant · Policy Analyst · Government Aide · Advocacy Coordinator |
| Arts, Media & Creativity |
Studio Art · Art History · Art Administrations · Music · Theatre · Writing Studies · Style/Story |
Museum Assistant · Gallery Coordinator · Writer · Editor · Arts Educator · Production Assistant |
| Languages & Cultures |
Language, Society & Culture · Literature · Black Studies · Latina/o Studies |
Translator · ESL Teacher · Cultural Programs Coordinator · Bilingual Outreach Worker |
|
仄 Still not sure which area fits?
Take the (10 minutes) to discover your strengths, then to map it to a Liberal Arts Option.
|
Transfer Pathways: Your Next Step
Most Liberal Arts (AA) students transfer to a 4-year college to complete their bachelor's degree. Start planning in your FIRST semester — the earlier you plan, the smoother your transfer will be.
Start in Your First Semester
Don't wait until graduation. The students who transfer smoothly start planning from day one. Every class you take should move you toward your bachelor's degree.
Your first step: Schedule appointments with a Success Coach/Academic Advisor, Transfer Advisor and a Career Advisor. They work together to align your courses with your career goals.
|
Transfer Resources
| Resource |
What It Does |
Link |
| &紳莉莽梯;敁珗曄部 Articulation Agreements |
Official agreements showing how your 敁珗曄部 credits transfer to specific 4-year programs (Lehman, Hunter, City College, John Jay, and more). |
View Agreements → |
| &紳莉莽梯;Transfer TREX Report |
A complete listing of CUNY senior college bachelor's programs that align with your 敁珗曄部 degree and Liberal Arts Option. |
|
| &紳莉莽梯;CUNY Transfer Application |
Apply to transfer to any CUNY senior college through one centralized application. |
|
| 譆儭&紳莉莽梯;敁珗曄部 Transfer Services |
One-on-one transfer counseling, credit evaluation help, and senior college visits. |
|
Real Careers, Real Salaries
Click any career to see job duties, salary, education requirements, and job outlook on My Next Move (U.S. Department of Labor):
| Career |
Best For (Liberal Arts Option) |
Explore |
| Clinical & Counseling Psychologists |
Psychology · Psychology Research |
|
| Social & Human Service Assistants |
Human Behavior · Social Work · Aging & Health |
|
| Child, Family & School Social Workers |
Social Work |
|
| History Teachers, Postsecondary |
Historical Studies · Social Studies |
|
| Preschool Teachers |
Teacher Education |
|
| Teacher Assistants |
Teacher Education |
|
| Community Health Workers |
Community Health · Aging & Health |
|
| Medical & Health Services Managers |
Healthcare Management |
|
| 儭 Writers & Authors |
Writing Studies · Style/Story |
|
| 儭 Curators & Museum Managers |
Art History · Art Administrations |
|
| Art Directors |
Studio Art · Art History |
|
| Foreign Language Teachers |
Language, Society & Culture |
|
| 妗 Cultural Studies Teachers |
Black Studies · Latina/o Studies · Women's & Gender Studies |
|
Hear From Real Professionals
|
Watch thousands of short videos from real professionals in psychology, education, social work, the arts, healthcare, law, and more on the 敁珗曄部 Candid Career+ portal.
| |
|
Gain Experience Now (While Still a Student)
The best Liberal Arts students don't just study — they do. Here's where 敁珗曄部 Liberal Arts students gain real-world experience:
Paid Internships & Programs
| Program |
Pay |
Why It Fits Liberal Arts |
| &紳莉莽梯; |
$20/hr |
Perfect for arts, humanities, and culture-focused Liberal Arts students. |
| &紳莉莽梯; |
$20/hr |
Community Hub is ideal for social-impact Liberal Arts students. |
| &紳莉莽梯; |
$20/hr |
For first-time interns ages 18–24. Many tracks accept Liberal Arts students. |
| &紳莉莽梯; |
$20/hr |
Tutor K-2 readers in NYC public schools. Excellent for Teacher Ed Liberal Arts students. |
| 譆儭&紳莉莽梯; |
Credit + stipend tracks |
Government and policy work — perfect for Social Studies, Black Studies, Latina/o Studies. |
| 蚎傭儭&紳莉莽梯; |
$2,000 scholarship |
Ideal for Women's & Gender Studies and social-impact students. |
| &紳莉莽梯; |
$1,000/yr grant + mentor |
First-gen college students — 2-year career development fellowship. |
On-Campus & Bronx-Local Experience
On-Campus
• Federal Work-Study positions in academic departments & libraries
• Tutoring & peer mentoring through the Academic Learning Center
• Performance opportunities at 敁珗曄部 Center for the Arts & Culture
• Student organizations: Black Student Union, Theater Club, Early Childhood Ed Club, Hip-Hop Club, Student Government
• Editorial work on campus literary publications
|
儭 Off-Campus / Bronx
• NYC DOE public schools & Pre-K programs
• Head Start programs & childcare centers
• Bronx Museum of the Arts, El Museo del Barrio
• Senior centers, nursing homes, gerontology orgs
• Public health departments & community health centers
• Law firms, legal aid orgs, advocacy groups
• Research assistantships at CUNY senior colleges
|
Common Liberal Arts Worries (Answered)
|
"Will I be able to get a job with a Liberal Arts degree?"
Yes. Liberal Arts graduates work in every industry: education, healthcare, government, nonprofits, media, business, and tech. Employers prize the critical thinking, communication, and adaptability skills you build. Many jobs require any bachelor's degree, not a specific major.
|
|
"Do I HAVE to transfer to a 4-year college?"
No, but it's recommended. Many entry-level careers (paraprofessional, teacher assistant, community health worker, case management) are available with your AA. For higher-paying roles (teacher, social worker, counselor, lawyer), you'll need a bachelor's or master's. Your Career Advisor can map both paths.
|
|
"What if I don't know which Option to pick?"
That's totally normal! Most students start undecided. Use the "Find Your Path" table above to narrow down to a broad area, then book a Career Advisor — we'll help you explore your options.
|
|
"Is Liberal Arts 'easier' than other majors?"
No, it's different. Liberal Arts demands strong reading, writing, and analysis. The challenge is real, and so is the payoff: you'll graduate able to think and communicate at a high level.
|
|
"Can I change my Option later?"
Talk to your Success Coach/Academic Advisor before making the change so we can plan your credits without delaying graduation.
|
|
"How is Liberal Arts different from a more specific major?"
A specific major (Nursing, Accounting, Engineering) trains you for one career. Liberal Arts gives you flexibility, you can pivot into many industries. It's perfect if you want to explore, transfer easily, or work in fields like education, social services, public policy, or the arts.
|
儭 Tools, Certifications & Professional Networks
Job Search & R矇sum矇
| Handshake |
Access jobs and internships posted for 敁珗曄部 students. |
|
| R矇sum矇 Review |
Get personalized feedback from your Career Advisor. |
|
| Navigate |
Book appointments with all 敁珗曄部 support services. |
|
Professional Associations (Free Student Memberships Often Available)
· · · · · · · · · · · ·
Your Career Advisor Is Here to Help
Whether you're picking an Option, exploring careers, or planning your transfer — one conversation can change everything. Most students leave their first meeting feeling much more confident.
(718) 518-4468
&紳莉莽梯;careerservices@hostos.cuny.edu
D-Building, Room 210 · Mon–Fri 9 AM – 5 PM
|
Your Career Advisor can help you:
- Choose the right Liberal Arts Option for your career goals
- Explore careers that match your interests and strengths
- Review your r矇sum矇 and cover letter
- Find internships and field experience opportunities
- Prepare for interviews and job fairs
- Plan your transfer to a four-year college
Your Liberal Arts degree is the start of your story — not the end. Let's write it together.