MAJOR at Work is a series of career exploration and networking programs for undergraduates, developed in partnership with L&S departments.
Each MAJOR at Work program connects students with alumni from the same major working across a range of roles and industries, helping students expand their sense of what is possible and how their coursework connects to careers. Through informal one-on-one and small-group conversations with alumni, students leave with greater clarity, confidence and an understanding of next steps.
Program Goals:
- Connect students virtually or in-person with alumni mentors who can expand their understanding of career possibilities
- Help students connect skills and competencies developed in their courses to those needed in specific roles and industries
- Show students the value of the L&S degree, building confidence in themselves and their majors
- Engage alumni as volunteers and deepen collaboration between SuccessWorks and L&S departments
Evan Heintz
Undergraduate Advisor for the Physics & Astronomy Departments
“Astronomy & Physics at Work was an amazing event and the staff at SuccessWorks were instrumental. They helped us reach out to a huge number of alumni, advertise to students, and reserve space so the event could go on without a hitch. Students have consistently mentioned how useful it was to meet alumni from their majors who had entered careers they may not have considered as options before the event. We will definitely be holding at Work events in the future.”
Bring MAJOR at Work to Your Students
Get the conversation started with SuccessWorks to start planning a MAJOR at Work program for your students next academic year.
Michael Kruse
Associate Director of College Partnerships
“What a great event! I loved interfacing with students and was so impressed by their preparedness and research. A lot asked really great questions and I had a wonderful time doing my best to offer advice and support.“
Callie Zauner, ’12
Psychology at Work Alumni Mentor
“The fact that these people are actual UW alumni who majored in our majors, took our classes, and struggled with the same problems is super useful…because they literally lived it.”
Student at Sociology at Work
Students Declared in the Major:
- Report they learn about the value of the major and the skills they are gaining
- Engage in more long-term career thinking and planning, such as reflecting on how the advice from alumni might apply to their own professional decisions
Students Not Declared in the Major
(Undecided & in Other Majors):
- Report being motivated to take more classes in the department, meet an advisor to discuss academic planning and consider declaring the major
- Make more near-term career plans, like finding an internship or volunteer opportunity and meeting a career advisor
Upcoming MAJOR at Work Programs
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Mar11
Comm Arts at Work: Business, Communications & Public Service @ 5:30 pm - 7:00 pm Online via Zoom Register Here
Learn from Communication Arts alumni about how they found rewarding careers in business, communications, and public service. They figured it out and you can too! Catch up on networking tips before you go. Register on …
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Mar18
Chemistry at Work @ 5:30 pm - 7:00 pm Chemistry Building: North Tower, Room 1435 Register Here
What can you do with a major in Chemistry? Quite a lot! Learn from Chemistry alumni about how they found rewarding careers in many different fields. They figured it out and you can too! Stop …
Department Partners
27 L&S departments have partnered to offer MAJOR at Work programs to their students since SuccessWorks opened in fall 2018.
- Asian Languages & Cultures
- Astronomy
- Atmospheric & Oceanic Sciences
- Biochemistry
- Biology Major
- Center for Law, Society & Justice
- Chemistry
- Chicanx/e and Latinx/e Studies
- Classical and Ancient Near Eastern Studies
- Communication Arts
- Conservation Biology
- Economics
- English
- Environmental Sciences
- Geography
- Geoscience
- Information School
- Integrative Biology
- International Studies Major
- Mead Witter School of Music
- Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies
- Philosophy
- Physics
- Political Science
- Psychology
- Sociology
- Statistics
Email partners@successworks.wisc.edu to begin the conversation with SuccessWorks about how to bring MAJOR at Work to your students.