Humanities, Culture, & Society

Defining Interest Communities: Pathways for Discovery, Purpose, and Vocation

Interest Communities serve as starting points for exploration, not boundaries. Every student’s path is unique, and the skills you develop through Assumption’s liberal arts education open doors to countless possibilities.

Each Interest Community highlights common academic pathways at Assumption University. For simplicity in web navigation, we’ve organized related areas of study that connect to this passion area. These groupings are meant to help you connect your coursework, experiences, and goals, but they are not intended to define or limit your options.

Rooted in the liberal arts and guided by our mission to awaken a sense of wonder, discovery, and purpose, Assumption challenges you to think critically, communicate effectively, and act with thoughtful citizenship. Whether you study biology, philosophy, business, or the arts, your education here prepares you to thrive in diverse fields and serve the common good.

Your journey of meaning, purpose, and vocation extends far beyond your major. Explore freely. Your path may include electives, double majors, minors, or concentrations across disciplines. Your career direction will reflect your curiosity, values, and the connections you build along the way, not just your academic label.

Explore Humanities, Culture, & Society Programs at Assumption University

Core Texts & Enduring Questions – Pair any major with a Great Books minor that deepens your education, strengthens reasoning and communication, and helps you discern the kind of life and person you want to become.

Honors Program – Join a community of motivated students and faculty for a liberal-arts-rich curriculum, collaborative research, travel opportunities, and a senior thesis that deepens thinking, character, and preparation for life beyond college.

Italian Studies – Develop Italian language skills while exploring its rich culture and history, with opportunities such as study abroad in Rome and internships that enhance careers in the humanities, business, and international fields.

Latin American and Latino Studies – Explore the histories, cultures, politics, and arts of Latin America and U.S. Latino communities through interdisciplinary courses that prepare you for advanced study and careers in government, business, and education.

Philosophy – Explore big questions about humanity, nature, God, and the good life by engaging classic thinkers and cultivating careful reading, writing, and reasoning skills for thoughtful living and many careers.

Racial and Ethnic Studies – Examine how race and ethnicity are formed, represented, and contested across history, culture, and society, preparing you to engage questions of justice, diversity, and social change in today’s world.

Spanish – Build fluency in Spanish while exploring the histories and cultures of Spanish-speaking communities, with opportunities for study abroad, ESL internships, and careers in education, healthcare, social services, law, and beyond.

Theology – Study “faith seeking understanding” by exploring Catholic and Christian thought, its dialogue with other traditions, and the roles of faith and reason in human life, truth, and contemporary careers.

Women’s Studies – Explore issues like gender-based violence, inequality, and care work while gaining hands-on internship and research experience that prepares you to advocate for justice in diverse professional and community settings.

Discover Common Pathways to Purpose & Vocation in Humanities, Culture, & Society

Note: These example occupations are provided to spark inspiration and exploration of interest. This is not an exhaustive list, rather a starting point.

Note: Occupations followed by an asterisk* typically require graduate school.

Academic Advisor* – Support college students in course planning, major exploration, and academic success, helping them connect their studies to their goals, strengths, and interests.

Attorney* – Advocate for clients, interpret laws, and argue cases in court or policy settings, drawing on strong writing, analysis, and ethical reasoning.

Campus or Community Minister* – Provide spiritual support, lead prayer and service opportunities, and accompany individuals and communities in their faith journeys.

Citizen Advocate / Community Organizer – Mobilize community members, build partnerships, and support efforts to address local needs and improve social conditions.

College or University Professor* – Teach, mentor, and conduct research in humanities or cultural fields, guiding students’ intellectual and personal development.

Counselor or Therapist* – Help individuals, couples, or families navigate mental health, relationships, and life transitions through listening, reflection, and structured interventions.

Cultural Program Coordinator – Plan and manage language, arts, and cultural events in campuses, nonprofits, or community organizations to foster engagement and understanding.

Foreign Service Officer – Represent the country abroad, build relationships, and navigate complex global cultural and political issues.

Editor or Publisher – Shape, refine, and manage written or digital content, working with authors and creators to bring ideas to audiences clearly and effectively.

Human Resources Specialist – Support hiring, onboarding, training, and employee relations, helping organizations build healthy, communicative workplaces.

Interpreter or Translator – Enables communication between people who speak different languages in settings such as healthcare, education, business, or law.

Journalist or Communications Specialist – Research, write, and share stories across media platforms, helping audiences understand events, people, and ideas.

Nonprofit Program Manager – Design, implement, and evaluate programs in mission-driven organizations that serve communities and advance specific causes.

Secondary School Teacher (Humanities)* – Teach subjects like history, languages, or religion in middle or high schools and help students develop critical thinking and curiosity.

Build momentum through Explore → Build → Engage → Launch. Complete checklists, attend events at each stage, and tap Resources for career development support throughout.

First-Year: Explore
Join humanities- and culture-focused clubs like the Albanian Student Association, French Club, Italian Club, Latin Dance Club, or Valley Girl Magazine to sample interests and meet peers. Attend events hosted by groups such as ALANA Network, Black Diaspora Student Union, Assumption University Allies, and Habitat for Humanity to explore identity, culture, and service. Take introductory courses in philosophy, theology, languages, and area studies, and complete beginner-level LinkedIn Learning courses to clarify what excites you most.

Sophomore Year: Build
Deepen involvement in a few key organizations to start building leadership and project experience. Pair your coursework with experiential learning such as service-learning classes, campus publications, or volunteer roles that let you practice communication, cultural competency, and reflection. Update your résumé and LinkedIn profile to highlight these experiences, and begin informational interviews with alumni in humanities-, education-, nonprofit-, or ministry-related paths.

Junior Year: Engage
Secure (or complete) at least one internship, research assistantship, or expanded leadership role that lets you apply humanities, culture, and society skills in real settings (such as education, community organizations, campus ministry, publishing, or cultural programs).

Continue active participation in relevant clubs and organizations, using them as spaces to test career interests. Attend networking events, career fairs, and alumni panels while refining your professional online presence and practicing how you talk about your Assumption experiences. 

Internships significantly boost graduate employability across studies; students with internship experience consistently achieve higher job placement rates and better career outcomes than those without. (Baert, S., Neyt, B., Siedler, T., Tobback, I., & Verhaest, D. (2021).

Senior Year: Launch
Launch with clarity by connecting your major, minor(s), and co-curriculars to specific pathways such as teaching, advising, ministry, nonprofit work, law, communications, or graduate study in humanities and social fields. Apply best practices to your next step—whether full-time roles, graduate or professional school, a service year, or other plans—using Resources to tailor your résumé, cover letter, job or fellowship applications, and interview preparation. Stay engaged with Humanities, Culture, and Society clubs and mentors as you transition, and leverage your network of peers, faculty, and alumni for ongoing guidance and support.

LinkedIn Groups for Students Interested in Humanities, Culture, & Society

Why join LinkedIn groups? LinkedIn groups give you access to targeted professional communities where you can network with industry professionals, discover hidden job/internship opportunities, stay current on industry trends, ask career questions, and learn from experienced practitioners, all for free. As a student, joining these groups helps you build your professional network before graduation and signals a genuine interest to recruiters.

Recommended Groups for Assumption University Students:

Latin American Studies Association (LASA) – Join the world’s largest professional community for Latin American studies, connecting over 9,000 members across disciplines, countries, and careers focused on Latin America.

The Philosophy Network – Connect with a global community of people interested in philosophy, from classic thinkers like Socrates and Descartes to modern voices such as Sartre.