Many corporate studies have shown that an undergraduate degree in the liberal arts is one of the most employable and promotable educational foundations to bring to the job market. The strength of the academic programs offered by the college is well known regionally, and graduates are actively recruited by a wide range of employing organizations. Most Saint Anselm graduates tend to pursue job opportunities with organizations that offer a high degree of public contact and in which they can utilize excellent problem solving, project management, and communication abilities. Many of our graduates pursue jobs in the Northeast and can be found working in profit, nonprofit, and governmental agencies. Organizations such as Fidelity Investments, Enterprise Holdings, Toast, BAE Systems, FBI and Massachusetts General Hospital connect with our office and students on an annual basis.

The college advises its students to major in subject areas that will interest and challenge them. While career goals are a consideration, the college seeks to actively educate the whole student. Students are encouraged to use the services of the Career Development Center, Academic Advisement and their faculty advisor early in their college careers to identify elective course work, extracurricular activities, volunteer experiences, and internships to practically test their career interests and apply their education. If a graduate can present an integrated background of both academic and practical experiences, he/she will be highly employable regardless of major.

Saint Anselm College has made a serious effort to cap grade inflation. This philosophy reflects our belief in a rigorous academic program based on fairness, equality, and ethics. The college actively promotes and markets these high standards to employers and graduate/professional schools. However, grades are only one factor to consider when evaluating the qualifications of a potential candidate. The primary thing employers seek is experience. Once again, it is important that students develop themselves beyond their academic program through practical and leadership experiences. Many of our graduates tend to pursue opportunities with organizations who seek individuals with broad skills and training and place less of an emphasis on grades as an indicator of success in the workplace.

Students pursue a wide range of internships in business and industry, human services, and governmental agencies. The CDC supports students in their searches for both credit and non-credit bearing internships. Students may obtain academic credit for internships as rising juniors or as current seniors. Students wishing to pursue internships for credit are encouraged to speak with their faculty advisor regarding departmental requirements. The Career Development Center provides advice to students seeking to identify their interests and choices.  The Handshake career management system, provides postings of internship opportunities across the country to which students may apply.

Students who prepare themselves professionally and who actively seek employment through participation in various on-campus and Internship and Job Fair recruitment activities are very successful. Many new graduates seek to defer their job searches based on a variety of other plans including returning to summer jobs, traveling or taking time off while identifying interests and options. Annual surveys of new graduates indicate that 95% of the Class of 2020 are successfully employed, performing service or are in a graduate or professional school program or the military within six months of graduation.

Please encourage your student to visit the CDC early and often! Keep the lines of communication open. Be willing to serve as an advisor and facilitator. Be a sounding board for ideas and dreams. Let your student make his/her own decisions. Don't force your student to do what you think he/she should do. Make sure your student is aware of the services available to them on campus and that he/she seeks out these services. Don't wait until senior year to ask about future plans. Realize that with the excitement of graduation comes anxiety and fear of starting something new and unknown. Most of all let your student know that you care and that you trust him/her to do what is right.