Fordham University Rose Hill’s collection of over 170 clubs recently gained a new addition. The formation of the new club, Humanities Student Ambassadors (HSA), was announced by the Fordham Career Center, which works closely with HSA. The announcement explained the goal of the HSA is to connect Fordham humanities students with various opportunities for professional development, aiding the skills they learn for classroom success in translating to professional insights.
Leah Langhoff, FRCH ’24, one of HSA’s co-presidents, explained that the club originated as an initiative by Dr. Brenna Moore in the theology department. Langhoff explained that Moore “was interested in beginning a club centered around humanities majors and creating a community for such.” She then explained that she and fellow Co-President Mari Apazidis, FCRH ’24, were recruited by word of mouth among professors.
The two then collaborated with the Career Center to get the club going. “Mari and I were both inspired to get the club off of the ground because we both understand very well that there is a notion surrounding humanities majors, like ourselves, that you will not be able to get a job and basically that our degree is useless. We wanted to refute these ideas and create a community for students like ourselves that provided post-graduation career guidance, as well as large-scale events that are marketed towards humanities majors and their career interests,” Langhoff explained.
Apazidis expressed similar motivations for her drive to get the club started. She explained that their first event, hosted last semester, was focused on success stories within the humanities, saying, “That was the idea behind Humanities Day: to show examples of successful humanities majors in the workforce with jobs they are passionate about.”
Apazidis explained that the first event this semester was a HSA Kick-Off Event where the club introduced their ambassadors and the e-board and launched their first round of applications for the HSA. She then elaborated on their other plans for the semester, saying, “In terms of events, we want to host our first HSA-sponsored resume review and another networking event with alumni and employers. In terms of club goals, we want to set a solid foundation for the HSA e-board and new HSA members so that they can continue to grow as the years pass.”
The club can be beneficial to students, whether or not they become members. Langhoff explained that the benefits of being an HSA expand beyond being able to join the community of fellow humanities majors, stating that “[Members] are also able to build their professional network (with such benefits as having first priority in speaking to employers at Career Fairs), and you are also able to receive specialized attention from the Career Center team, who can help you with your specific career goals.”
However, she also mentioned that anyone attending HSA’s events would be able to hear from interesting speakers from different backgrounds and gain insight about numerous career paths. The club’s events are not limited to just FCRH students. Those enrolled in Fordham College Lincoln Center, Gabelli School of Business, School of Professional and Continuing Studies and Fordham Graduate School are welcome as well.
Langhoff and Apazidis wish to extend their gratitude to Allyson Blatz in the Career Center, with Apazidis saying, “Her advising and support throughout building the HSA have been unbelievably helpful.” Since the initial launch, the club has announced that their meetings take place from 12-1 p.m. on Thursdays at the Career Center. Students that are interested in becoming a HSA member or attending an upcoming event can look for updates on the Fordham Career Center webpage or the Fordham Humanities Instagram page (@fordham_humanities). If students would like to join the HSA email list, they can reach out to [email protected].
