Career & Major Exploration
The Aspire Program: Discovering your purpose
The Aspire Program is about more than preparing for a great job — it’s about discovering your vocation: a life of purpose that aligns your talents, passions, and values with the needs of the world. At Carthage, we believe your education should not only equip you with skills for a career, but also help you reflect deeply on who you are becoming and how you want to contribute to the world around you.
The Aspire Program empowers you to explore meaningful experiences — inside and outside the classroom — that shape your sense of direction. Whether through coursework, student leadership, community service, internships, or creative projects, you’ll begin to understand how all of your experiences work together to build a fulfilling, purpose-driven life.
Rooted in the ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½ mission to seek truth, build strength, and inspire service — together, The Aspire Program challenges you to ask the big questions:
- What matters to me?
- How can I make a difference?
- What kind of life do I want to live?
By engaging in MAP: My Aspire Plan, you’re not just preparing for your next step after graduation — you’re learning how to live with intention, integrity, and impact for years to come.
“I think the best takeaway I’ve gotten from The Aspire Program is that you shouldn’t choose a major or career just because you think it will get you success. Instead, you should choose a major or career that brings you joy and learn to shape your experiences and shine a light on them in a way that can apply to any job.”— Tessa Baty ’26
Find a path through faith
Throughout the year, you can participate in small group and individual conversations to help you discern your path. Whatever your faith background, or if you don’t identify with a specific path, there are ways for you to reflect and explore. Learn more through the Center for Faith and Spirituality.
What can you do with your major?
Do you want to learn more about the many career options for someone with a degree in your primary field of study? Visit Carthage’s majors and minors page to find information on majors and minors, curriculum experiences, and more!
