From Classroom Insight to Career Impact Employing Humanities connects what students learn in the classroom to real-world impact through paid internships, undergraduate research, community-engaged projects, and programming that builds career readiness and expands career pathways. Since Fall 2023, the initiative has provided paid opportunities to over 300 students, and since the career programming launched in 2024, it has reached more than 400 students. We’re now expanding opportunities to reach more transfer, first-generation, and early-career students so that every Humanities major can participate in these transformative experiences. Increase Experiential Learning Opportunities for Humanities Majors Create Career Paths & Programs for Humanities Majors Implement New Humanities Curricular Innovations for All Majors Annual Impact Reports: Experiential Learning Our cohort-based experiential learning programs, Humanities EXCEL and Humanities EXPLORE, help Humanities students set goals, reflect on their growth, and connect classroom learning to real-world experiences. The results speak for themselves: students finish the program with greater confidence, clearer career direction, and a stronger sense of the value of their education. More than 90% of students in the 2024-2025 cohorts reported meaningful growth in key career-ready skills , validated by mentors who observed the same progress firsthand. These outcomes show that Humanities students aren’t just learning about the world, they’re learning how to lead within it. Experiential Learning Program Outcomes To Date Funding for Humanities EXCEL and EXPLORE undergraduates believe that their Humanities coursework prepares them for their chosen career* Humanities EXCEL and EXPLORE Fellows say they can confidently explain the value of their Humanities degree* Community Partner Organizations and Faculty-led projects hosting Humanities Fellows report that their knowledge and skills are transferable beyond the classroom* *of participants surveyed in 2024-2025. Humanities EXCEL and Humanities EXPLORE programs are led by the Humanities Division with strategic support from the Humanities Institute and funded by the Mellon Foundation, The Helen and Will Webster Foundation, the Humanities Division, The Humanities Institute, and private donors. “Thanks to the Humanities EXCEL program, I built the skills and confidence that led me to my current role as a Development Associate at Pivotal. The hands-on training I received—from nonprofit communications to project management—directly connects to the work I do now supporting foster youth. Your support makes these transformative opportunities possible.” Career Programming

In 2024–2025, Humanities Career Engagement expanded programming to better support students’ career preparation. We launched a Campus to Career event series, Humanities at Work workshops, and a Humanities Career Engagement web hub. In 2025-2026, we launched our What Can I Do with My Humanities Degree? webpage, showcasing stellar examples of UCSC Humanities alumni success and the wealth of career pathway possibilities from the humanities. Students now benefit from a robust ecosystem of career education. Through one-on-one advising, hands-on workshops, and opportunities to connect with alumni and peers, students gain tailored guidance, practical skills, and professional connections. With these efforts, students have multiple entry points to explore career paths, build confidence, and envision meaningful futures after graduation. Students served in career programming Career workshops, job talks, and info sessions have been hosted since fall 2024 Empowering transfer students: UC Santa Cruz’s Humanities Division prepares undergraduates for the future Transferring between universities can be stressful and disorienting, but at UC Santa Cruz, the Humanities Division works hard to ensure that transfer students are empowered, supported, and ready to make an impact. Humanities EXCEL Fellows build community through hands-on Internships At UC Santa Cruz, the Humanities EXCEL Program is helping Humanities undergraduates discover new pathways to professional growth and connect to local communities through paid internships. Celebrating the Humanities at UC Santa Cruz – News The inaugural UC Santa Cruz Celebrating The Humanities gathering at the Seymour Center made a powerful case for the relevance, impact, and career power of humanistic learning. The event drew over 300 people. Curricular Innovations Two study immersion courses are being offered in 2026. The language course “Japanese Arts & Beyond” in Spring 2026 offers travel to Tokyo and Hokkaido, Japan. The History department is offering “History and Cultural Heritage in Africa” in Fall 2026 with travel afterward to Senegal’s UNESCO World Heritage sites. Become a Champion for the Humanities Our programs help humanities students translate their curiosity and critical thinking into real-world impact. Many of our students are the first in their families to attend college, and paid experiential learning makes their participation possible. Your gift ensures financial barriers never stand in the way of growth, discovery, or purpose. Join us in supporting the next generation of empathetic, engaged leaders. Email our Assistant Director of Experiential Learning, Kylie Rachwalski, with questions or to learn more about Employing Humanities. krachwal@ucsc.edu Humanities 1, Dean’s Suite 503 Visit our Experiential Learning and Career Engagement pages for more information on preparing for and finding a job aligned with your studies. Are you a UCSC Humanities alum or prospective community partner? Host a student at your organization! Learn about ways to join this initiative . If you are interested in creating curricular experiential learning opportunities for students, please visit the faculty page .