A professional foundation

Whether seeking internships related to a major, taking a leadership position outside of the classroom, or finding guidance from the Strommen Center for Meaningful Work, Augsburg students have a variety of options to help them explore career opportunities. The Augsburg general education curriculum is designed to help students develop the skills necessary for successful careers and fulfilling lives through core requirements and major coursework, while the Augsburg Experience requirement ensures that every student completes at least one high-impact learning experience—with options ranging from internships to community engagement projects.

Augsburg’s latest strategic plan calls out career exploration and preparation as a key element of an Augsburg education. Morgan Knutzen, career services director at the Strommen Center, said Augsburg is committed to doing things differently with career services in order to best serve its unique student body. Most alumni say they’ve sought career advice from faculty, so starting this fall, the Strommen Center is leading a year-long process to engage faculty and staff on how to better support student career development.

“Our goal is to create new pathways for faculty to include careers in the classroom, because ultimately, that’s where every student is, and that’s where they prioritize being,” Knutzen said. “The more we can incorporate career conversations during class, we’re going to democratize access to career development, and that’s really important to us.”

Dean of Students Michael Grewe ’12 MSW said one of the primary ways he’s seen students gain career readiness on campus is through extracurricular activities, including leadership positions in student government, athletic teams, or campus ministry.

“Not only are we assisting them in their career goals, but we’re also working with students—helping them navigate what we call ‘the hidden curriculum of higher ed,’” he said. “How do you build networks, talk to faculty, seek mentorship, and connect with campus opportunities in student leadership or engagement? All those things, in addition to what you’re learning in the classroom, provide you with the skills, tools, and resources you need to succeed in your career.”

Edward Morgan Stockard Jr. ’24, who currently attends Augsburg as a graduate student in social work, participated in student government, student activities council, and orientation teams as an undergraduate. He said those experiences have prepared him for the internships required as part of his degree. He appreciates the relationships he’s formed with faculty and staff.

“The Augsburg community is very open and engaging,” he said. “They try not to let power dynamics affect relationships, and try to keep it casual and open. I learned that I want a career and workplace environment like that in the future—because we’re all human at the end of the day. Augsburg has helped me think about what type of person I would like to be in a workplace environment and what type of people I would like to work with.”

Last February, Augsburg launched its first-ever Career Exploration Day, a requirement for first-year students. The event featured interactive sessions, experiential workshops, faculty talks, introductions to majors, and an opportunity to meet representatives from businesses and organizations.

Grit Her ’26 recalled getting an email about Career Exploration Day. While he wasn’t actively looking for a job, he dressed professionally and attended the event. He said it was an impactful experience and a great way to network.

“There were a lot of people handing out business cards from many fields,” said Her, who is a mathematical economics major. “They had tables with different job opportunities with people explaining the positions they had available. I’m not 100% sure what I want to do after I’m finished with my degree. I’m trying to find my own path toward a career I want. It’s really important for me to network and take advantage of opportunities like this.”

Everlyn Balvoa-Granda ’27 has been deeply involved in community and civic engagement since high school, including completing a recent internship at the St. Paul city attorney’s office. The political science major with a pre-law concentration said it’s important in her Ecuadorian family to always be there to support the community. That’s why it’s key for her to find her community at Augsburg. She was able to build on that goal by taking part in Career Exploration Day, where she participated in several workshops and networked with the businesses and organizations that were present.

While she did talk to recruiters about potential career opportunities, the highlight for her was learning and connecting with staff and faculty.

“It [was] more comfortable and welcoming because I was able to build a professional relationship with them,” Balvoa-Granda said. “I heard about their experiences and what they do. I enjoyed hearing them talk about their personal lives, too. It felt like they were setting an example—not only do you feel you belong here, but you feel like you can trust people at Augsburg. That trust helps you open up and get to know them as you build your network.”

Top image: A breakout learning session during Augsburg’s Career Day, 2024 (Photo by Courtney Perry)