Because we create the unexpected

Coming from one of the nation's top liberal arts colleges, it’s no surprise that Skidmore students and graduates stand out from their peers. But well educated and well prepared is expected. Here, we create the unexpected.

The result: socially responsible citizens eager to contribute to the complex world of work in diverse, creative and inspiring ways. What do we mean? Here are five examples. 

1. They think differently.

A liberal arts education is all about connecting different ideas, considering all perspectives and studying all sides. Translate that to the working world and you have talented workers who can pivot, create, adjust and jump into nearly every challenge.
 
Add a top-notch education in their selected major, or often a dual major, and you’ll see why, time and again, companies return to Skidmore to recruit interns and employees with:

• above-average spoken and written communication abilities;
• strong critical-thinking skills;
• impressive career preparedness;
• boundless curiosity;
• comfort working effectively in diverse teams; and
• the belief that Creative Thought Matters.

2. They build communities and inspire camaraderie.

Skidmore students are involved both in and out of the classroom. They are at their best when they’re helping another person, team or passion project move forward, as demonstrated in their:

• nearly 130 student clubs; 
• 19 varsity sports;
• and hundreds of hours spent volunteering in Saratoga Springs every year.

Also, the many touchpoints they have with other leaders and top community organizations help them develop the maturity and mindset of those far ahead of them in their careers.

3. They take diversity, equity and inclusion seriously.

There may be fewer than 3,000 students at Skidmore, but they come from nearly 70 different countries and speak dozens of different languages. No matter their home, they are all passionate about fostering diverse and inclusive conversations and connections. It’s simply a core part of who they are.
 
While they’re on campus, students also engage in the multifaceted elements of diversity, equity and inclusion. That includes learning to respect — and advocate for — varying sociocultural characteristics such as:

• race;
• ethnicity;
• gender identity and expression;
• sexual orientation;
• national origin;
• first language;
• religious and spiritual tradition;
• age;
• ability;
• socioeconomic status; and
• learning style.

4. They're savvy entrepreneurs.

Skidmore has many accolades you might expect, but did you know it's also repeatedly named one of “America’s Most Entrepreneurial Colleges"? We believe creative thinking and the liberal arts foster entrepreneurship, but we also invest in it. Skidmore is dedicated to supporting students as they define and pursue their dreams.
 
From our annual “Shark Tank”-like business competition that hundreds of students participate in each year, to self-directed research projects that bring them from the Amazon rainforest to the Great Barrier Reef and everywhere in between, our students develop an impressive ability to build their own paths from Point A to Point B.  

5. They have professional experience.

Forget the old image you might have of a creative liberal arts school. These are serious students taking intense courses with robust professional and social schedules.

Consider this: 84% of students graduate with at least one internship on their resume, and 74% with two or more. But that’s not all. While they’re interning, they’re also publishing professional-level research, completing a full course load, leading at least one club and competing in top academic and athletic arenas.
 
Our students are fresh, young and eager, but they're also experienced young professionals. In summary — they’re ready.