Academic learning is at the heart of the Carleton experience — but Carls also learn valuable lessons and skills from experiences outside the classroom.

Preparing students for fulfilling lives and careers is a key initiative of the Every Carl for Carleton campaign.

Carleton’s new Career Center director, RJ Holmes-Leopold, wants to connect every student to life-changing opportunities — and a lifelong network of Carls.

Internships help students try on different careers for size as they ponder life after Carleton.

Winter break externships take students behind the scenes to observe real careers in action.

Brief updates on campaign priorities

On October 26, 2018, Carleton College announced the launch of Every Carl for Carleton, a $400 million comprehensive campaign—the most ambitious in Carleton’s history.

For a century and a half, Carls have applied their liberal arts education to working in a wide variety of fields, problem-solving and innovating, and pursuing meaningful lives. Today the world needs Carls more than ever.

Leadership giving by trustees and other early donors has given the Every Carl for Carleton campaign a flying start, with more than $300 million raised toward the $400 million goal.

Internships, externships, research, and community-based learning give our students valuable perspective and open avenues to future careers. We want all students to have access to these learning opportunities regardless of financial status. Robust support for the Career Center, advising, experiential learning off campus, and faculty-student research helps all students explore their possible futures throughout their four years at Carleton.

Many students can’t afford to take unpaid internships. Carleton helps bridge the opportunity gap for students like Minda Liu ’18, one of 125 students who received internship funding from the Career Center in 2017.

“If you’re going to do a job, you should take pride in your work,” says Sharaka Berry ’18, who works as a building supervisor at the rec center. “Whether it’s folding towels or stacking weights, even cleaning the lint trap out of the dryer, that’s all part of the job.”

Dashini Jeyathurai’s work for Carleton began in earnest when she discovered her own passion: helping students plan for their future careers.

Distinguished scientists plan a legacy of stellar support

Alumnus and Carleton trustee Mark Applebaum ’89 has embraced music as his life’s work, building a renowned career as a composer, performer, and electroacoustic instrument inventor.