Grinnell College exists for the objectives set forth at its founding: "to promote the general interests of education," to qualify young people for the different professions, and "for the honorable discharge of the various duties of life." The presence of Grinnell alumni in a variety of careers and their leadership in their communities prove that Grinnell continues to realize these objectives in its graduates. In addition, this evidence demonstrates that education in the fundamental disciplines of the arts and sciences also is education for professional and social accomplishment.

Students who plan their education in accordance with the principles of liberal education lay a sound foundation for careers of many kinds. Every profession needs women and men who can think logically and imaginatively, who can speak and write their own language with assurance, and who are not strangers to the languages of other peoples. Each profession needs women and men to whom new ways of thinking and new objects of knowledge pose not threats, but opportunities for intellectual and professional growth.

Students who find themselves changing their minds about careers or facing a choice among possible careers also will find that the nature of their liberal arts education has made such change and choice possible. Broad-based education is recognized by the corporate world as quality preparation for management decision-making. And education for "the long run" means that persons who have been so educated have opportunities for change and choice long after their undergraduate education has been completed.

In order to broaden choices and opportunities for careers, a student entering Grinnell needs to keep in mind the importance of early mastery of basic disciplines. To postpone the study of a foreign language or of mathematics until some time in the indefinite future is to deprive oneself of knowledge and intellectual discipline whose relevance to a particular career may not become apparent until later. The student planning for a career does best by following those principles for planning a liberal education outlined near the beginning of this chapter. Students considering specific careers need to know the qualifications that may be required for those careers. At Grinnell they obtain such information and advice from faculty members designated as preprofessional advisers, from their own faculty advisers, and from the Career Development Office. Professional advice to students also is available through media, internships, alumni networking, and visits to the campus by professionals. Brief explanations of backgrounds conducive to particular careers follow.