Experiential Learning for Humanities Students
In the humanities, we are thinkers and doers. Employing Humanities empowers you to participate in paid or for-credit experiences like internships, undergraduate research, and service-learning courses that explore the humanities in action and develop career-ready skills to prepare you for life beyond graduation. Whether you're a first-year or a transfer student, our programs are designed with flexibility in mind to help you make the most of your time at UCSC. We particularly encourage transfer students to take advantage of these opportunities to gain valuable experience, connect with faculty, and enhance their academic journey. Our divisional programs foster student achievement, increase career-mindedness, and build a sense of belonging for undergraduate majors and minors in the division, ensuring that every student, including those new to campus, feels supported and ready for success.
Humanities EXCEL Internship Program:
Experiential Career Exploration & Learning
Students in this cohort program hold paid positions with off-campus community partner organizations. This program aims to increase career-mindedness and support EXCEL Fellows in nurturing transferable skills that prepare them for professional and community-engaged settings. Transfer students are encouraged to participate, as this program offers an excellent opportunity to bridge their prior experiences with new academic and professional connections at UCSC, helping them to quickly integrate into the campus community while building a solid foundation for their future careers.
Humanities EXPLORE Undergraduate Research Program:
Experiential Learning Opportunities in Research
Faculty in the Humanities Division apply to the EXPLORE program, and mentor undergraduate researchers who work on their faculty-led projects. Researchers are selected for projects that align with their skills and academic expertise. Researchers are hired, earn $18-$20/hour and are expected to contribute at least 100 hours per quarter to the project. The EXPLORE program actively encourages participation from all students, including transfer students, recognizing the diverse perspectives and experiences they bring to academic research. This program provides a valuable opportunity for transfer students to apply their existing skills while gaining hands-on research experience at UCSC. EXPLORE Fellows are invited to attend quarterly workshops on professional development for researchers, offering support to help them thrive in research roles.
Apply Now
Visit the EXCEL page to view open internship positions and the EXPLORE page to view open research positions
All paid experiential learning opportunities for Humanities students are posted on Handshake and are promoted around campus and virtually through email.
Student Profiles & News Stories 2023-2024
Student Profiles & News Stories 2022-2023
- Rebecca Snyder and Sara Sotelo, Santa Cruz Museum of Art & History (The Humanities Institute)
- Maddison Hwang, Open Campus (The Humanities Institute)
- Elina Juvonen, Okinawa Memories Initiative (The Humanities Institute)
- Lo Klauer and Theresa Bostic, Santa Cruz Community Foundation (The Humanities Institute)
- Social Justice in action at UC Santa Cruz – Prison Journalism Project (PJP) (The Humanities Institute)
- Atlas Martinez and Maxinne Virtue-Hill, Prison Journalism Project (PJP) (The Humanities Institute)
- Mikayla Falk and Yatziri Arias Torres, Senderos (The Humanities Institute)
- Mary “Miki” Arlen and Diana Leon Garcia, Davenport Jail Museum/MAH (The Humanities Institute)
Why Should I Participate in Experiential Learning?
When you participate in experiential opportunities, you’ll gain:
- 🎯Practical skills that are relevant to future careers, when applying what you have learned in the classroom to real-world situations.
- 🎯A better understanding of the realities of a particular field, helping you better understand the industry, its challenges, and its opportunities.
- 🎯A broader view of the world and an appreciation of community.
- 🎯An enhanced resume and a competitive edge when entering the job market.
- 🎯The gratification of assisting in meeting community needs.
- 🎯Opportunities to collaborate with diverse organizations and people.
- 🎯Interactions with professionals and academics in the field, which can lead to valuable networking opportunities that may be beneficial for future job prospects.
- 🎯Positive professional practices and skill sets.
- 🎯Insight into your own expertise, interests, passions, and values.
- 🎯Self-confidence and leadership skills.
The Mellon Foundation, The Helen and Will Webster Foundation, The Humanities Institute, and the UCSC Humanities Division generously support the Humanities EXCEL and EXPLORE Program."
