Career Minor

The minor starts with a personality test, and a group interview with a “trainer” from the Career Service Center to strengthen the student's comprehension and to determine their personal learning objectives for the minor. Students will learn how to apply their knowledge in practical settings, will further develop their talents and will acquire relevant knowledge and skills. This minor sets the focus on skill development and learning from professionals (as opposed to the focus on academic literature enforced in the students' regular study programme).

This challenging programme includes meeting experts from the field, completing practical assignments and going on trips, as well as learning how to apply for a job, how to network, negotiate, make project plans, engage in entrepreneurial thinking, compose policy advice, work in teams and much more.

You are interested in broadening your network, sharing your ideas and developing yourself personally. The Career Minor is open to students of all faculties of the RUG and even other universities in the Netherlands.

• Students will be introduced to the labor market and the relevant organizations
• Students will learn to apply their knowledge to concrete practical issues
• Students will learn to present themselves and their expertise in this practical environment
• Students will develop an understanding of their own personality and of what it takes to get a placement, assignment or job
• Students will learn to work in a multidisciplinary team
• Students will learn to use their own creativity and knowledge to offer concrete solutions and recommendations for current problems or issues
• Students will have an increased understanding of a specific sector of the labor market and of the relevant theme

Humanities at Work

Humanities at Work prepares the student for the job market. On the one hand, students learn to know themselves better (who am I, what do I want, what can I do and why do I need this). On the other hand, the student becomes acquainted with important general skills that are needed to get a job (‘job hunting skills’ like networking and applying for a job) and skills that are essential in organizations, which the student will need to maintain in the rapidly changing work environment of the 21st century. These skills include: project-based working, negotiation, leadership, teamwork, communication, intercultural competencies, entrepreneurial thinking.

Contact hours

You have 8 contact hours per week: on Monday and Tuesday between 9/10 a.m. and 4/5 p.m.

Themes

In this course unit you make a choice from one of the three themes/sectors:    

• Working in and on Governance (English taught - LBA036B10 )
• Vrede en Veiligheid (Dutch taught - LBA035B10 )
• Entrepreneurship and Leadership in the Humanities (English taught - LBA034B10 )

In the thematic working group the knowledge from Block 1a is linked to the relevant labor market sector (for example, local or international governance, the security domain, or the cultural sector) and train students in the relevant sector-related skills (for example, submitting a subsidy application, composing a project plan or policy advice, or preparing and executing a negotiation). In contrast to the first module, students can follow this thematic module in their own working group. Work visits and excursions will help increase their knowledge of the field and their organizational skills.

Contact hours

You have 8-12 contact hours per week: on Wednesday and Thursday between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m.

The ability to collaborate in interdisciplinary teams on short-term or long-term projects is a highly valued and very essential skill in the rapidly changing labor market. Students who choose a project can develop this skill and discover what their knowledge is actually worth in practice. Students do not need to find and arrange their own projects; they will be announced in the first half of their Career Minor.

Practical information about working for a client

A project is a collaboration of students from different degree programs, who tackle an assignment from an organization as a team. Their aim is to offer well-founded advice or develop a cleverly designed product that is useful in the client's daily operations. The projects will dovetail with the themes from Block 1a of the Career Minor whenever possible. Depending on the theme, the assignment and the composition of the groups, students will have different tasks, such as conducting research, giving presentations, writing copy for various aims and target groups, setting up meetings, entering into negotiations, offering advice, planning, budgeting and evaluating. Students are expressly challenged to use the knowledge and skills acquired in the degree programme in a practical setting and to add new knowledge and skills.

Examples project assignments:

• Projecten 2025-2026

• Projecten 2024-2025

• Projecten 2023-2024

Steps you need to follow to complete a team assignment.

Work experience is an important requirement in the labor market. Students who choose a (short) placement, will familiarize themselves with an organization and its present culture and discover how their skills fit in. They will also become more sensitive about whether the organization suits them. The students has to acquire the placements themselves and these must match the student’s training profile and field of interest.

The placement starts in the second block of the first semester, just like the group assignment.

More information

• flyer
• roadmap
• experiences

Questions?

Feel free to make an appointment for the placement office hours via https://placementarts.youcanbook.me.

Praktijkopdracht: Nationale Weerbaarheidstraining

Voor studenten die de Career Minor volgen in het kader van de Nationale Weerbaarheidstraining bij Defensie, wordt de praktische opdracht uitgevoerd in combinatie met de training tot reservist. Deze training is onderdeel van de nieuwe Nationale Weerbaarheidstraining (NWT), opgezet door Defensie in samenwerking met diverse onderwijsinstellingen. Ga voor meer informatie over NWT naar https://werkenbijdefensie.nl/nwt.

Tijdens blok 1b van de Career Minor word je voor deze praktijkopdracht officieel aangesteld als reservist. Daarna studeer je verder en blijf je, als je dat wilt, actief als reservist. Zo kun jij bijvoorbeeld werken in de beveiliging van kritieke infrastructuur of ondersteun je beroepsmilitairen tijdens oefeningen. Ook wordt onderzocht of je bijvoorbeeld dankzij de combinatie van je opleiding tot reservist en jouw specifieke studieachtergrond op het vlak van weerbaarheid relevante taken kan uitvoeren in de eigen veiligheidsregio, bijvoorbeeld voor de gemeente, de brandweer of andere veiligheidspartners.

Wat kun je verwachten?

Tijdens de training bij Defensie worden de deelnemers zowel praktisch als theoretisch uitgedaagd. De opleiding biedt een rijke leeromgeving waarin de student ervaringen opdoet en de theorie toetst in de praktijk middels wekelijkse opdrachten waarin de student reflecteert op een specifiek thema en/of een praktijkervaring. Je leert militaire basisvaardigheden zoals kaart en kompas lezen, veilig omgaan met een wapen, militaire EHBO en militair straf- en tuchtrecht. Daarnaast ga je op bivak: een intensieve training in de buitenlucht. Hier slaap je in het veld, leer je hoe je met beperkte middelen een onderkomen bouwt en oefen je tactisch verplaatsen.

Voor de Career Minor werk je tijdens de training bij defensie aan je persoonlijke ontwikkeling, het werken in teamverband en je leiderschapsvaardigheden en reflecteer je op je leerdoelen binnen een unieke omgeving die je nergens anders kunt vinden.

Leeractiviteiten

De verdieping op leiderschap, persoonlijke effectiviteit en samenwerken betreft een combinatie van leeractiviteiten. Ter voorbereiding op de training zal een theoretische verdieping worden gedaan door zelfstudie aan de hand van lesmateriaal van de Open Defence Academie (ODA). Het deel tijdens de weerbaarheidstraining zal bestaan uit extra (groeps)opdrachten en het deel erna zal bestaan uit een eindopdracht. Bovendien wordt van studenten verwacht dat zij eigen reflecties op persoonlijke effectiviteit bijhouden en dat zij indien gewenst gebruikmaken van (online) coaching voor welzijn, groei en probleemoplossend vermogen.

Toetsing en eindopdracht (15 ECTS)

Tijdens de opleiding bouw je een portfolio op waarin reflectie en visievorming op persoonlijke effectiviteit, teameffectiviteit en leiderschap binnen Defensie centraal staan. Toetsing van de leerdoelen en leeruitkomsten vindt plaats aan de hand van dit portfolio, een eindopdracht en een mondeling assessment, bijvoorbeeld in de vorm van een criterium gericht interview, dat door examinatoren van de universiteit wordt afgenomen.

In de eindopdracht voor de universitaire Career Minor in het kader van de Weerbaarheidstraining dient de student vanuit alle aangeboden bronnen en perspectieven tot een eigen persoonlijke visie te komen met daarbij een reflectie op hoe dat aansluit bij de eigen kernwaarden, de eigen ontwikkeling van een militaire identiteit. Ook gaat de student in op de relatie tussen de eigen studie, de gevolgde training en het gewenste carrière- en toekomstperspectief. Bij dat laatste dient ook nadrukkelijk te worden gereflecteerd op de vraag op welke wijze de student waarde kan hebben in de burgermaatschappij en op welke wijze de student kan bijdragen aan de veerkracht, veiligheid en weerbaarheid van Nederland.

Voor de eindopdracht wordt gekozen uit één van de volgende mogelijke formats: een pitch video, een powerpoint-presentatie of een toespraak. Deze eindopdracht mag alleen worden gedaan als alle opdrachten in het portfolio zijn goedgekeurd. De examinator van de RUG is verantwoordelijk voor de toetsing van de leeruitkomsten.

Ingangseisen

Om deel te nemen aan het militaire deel van de weerbaarheidstraining moet je het militaire keuringstraject succesvol doorlopen en voldoen aan enkele voorwaarden:

• Je bent minimaal 18 jaar.
• Je bent in het bezit van een Nederlands paspoort of identiteitsbewijs.
• Je bent geschikt bevonden tijdens een psychologische selectie.
• Je bent geschikt bevonden tijdens een medische en fysieke keuring.
  • Je mag niet afhankelijk zijn van medicatie.

Wil je meer weten over de stappen in het keuringstraject? Check de website: https://werkenbijdefensie.nl/sollicitatie

Aanmeldingsprocedure

Stap 1: Schrijf je in voor de Career Minor in Ocasys. Teken daarnaast ook in voor het themavak Vrede en Veiligheid en de practical assignment, onderdeel Nationale Weerbaarheidstraining.
Meer informatie over de intekenprocedure.

Stap 2: Meld je ook direct aan bij Defensie (uiterlijk 15 juli) via https://werkenbijdefensie.nl/vacatures/solliciteren/wo-nwt-e59310.

Stap 3: Defensie controleert of je voldoet aan de ingangseisen.

Stap 4: Je doorloopt het keuringstraject. Deze bestaat uit een psychologische selectie, een medische en fysieke keuring en een veiligheidsonderzoek.

Stap 5: Je bent klaar om te starten.

Wat als je de keuring niet haalt?

Geen zorgen! Dan kan je voor het tweede deel van de Career Minor kiezen voor de teamopdracht, dat is een andere variant binnen de Career Minor - Vrede en Veiligheid. Hierbij werk je in een interdisciplinair team van 4-5 studenten fulltime samen aan een concrete opdracht vanuit het veiligheidsdomein. Dat kan zijn voor een ministerie, voor een gemeente of voor een ngo.

Whether you are still deciding which Master’s degree programme to follow, whether you are considering getting a job for a year or two first but are having trouble finding or entering suitable professions, or whether your goal is already very clear and you want to start your career in one specific place after gaining your Bachelor’s degree, both the team assignment and the individual assignment can give you a taste of an organization.

An interview with Nikky Luteijn, student Communication and Information Studies, who completed the Career Minor with a placement in 2025-2026.

This time last year, you had to choose a Minor. What helped you make your decision and what would you recommend other students to do? 
When I had to choose my Minor, I was overwhelmed by the number of choices I had. I wasn't sure whether to choose something I was really interested in, something that would look good on my resume, or something I just thought would be fun. What helped me make the decision was thinking about what would come after my Bachelor's degree. I wasn't really sure what I wanted to do next, where I would fit in the job market after my studies, and I wanted to do something other than just gain theoretical knowledge. After two years of (mainly) doing that, I was ready for practical experience.

How did you end up choosing the Career Minor?
I chose the Career Minor because I wanted to gain practical experience and prepare myself for the job market. I wanted to get a better grip on my future, discover what I could get out of my studies, and be better prepared for life after graduation.

Which theme course did you pick during the first block and did you like it?During the first block, I chose “Entrepreneurship and Leadership” because I might want to start my own business in the future and it seemed valuable to learn about entrepreneurship. I was able to immediately apply the material I learned and the skills I acquired during this course to the internship I did in the following block. Even now that I am back to working on my Bachelor's degree in Communication and Information Sciences, I can see a direct translation. The classes were very interactive and constructive, which I genuinely benefited from, and they were also fun and enjoyable. You get to find out who you are as a professional, how the working world operates, and how you can succeed in it after your studies.

What practical assignment did you do during the second block of the Career Minor and why did you choose it? 
In the second block, you have the choice of completing an assignment in a team or finding an internship yourself. Thanks to the guidance provided by inspiring guest lecturers, Career Services counselors, and the lecturer, I was able to secure an internship as a Communications and Marketing intern at an IT company in Utrecht. I chose this because it aligned with my studies, pushed me out of my comfort zone, and gave me the opportunity to gain hands-on experience.

Can you tell us a little more about this assignment, for instance what did a general day during the second block look like for you?
I worked 40 hours a week, but almost not a single day was the same. I visited companies, took corporate photos, delivered Christmas packages, expanded my network, took walks through Utrecht, and worked on strengthening the company's internal and external communications. I learned a lot in a short period of time by working in the field, things I would never have learned at university. The Minor gives you the space to figure out what you need to do after your studies and guides you through all the information you need.

How would you explain the Career Minor in one sentence?
Prepare yourself for life after university in a fun, interactive way.

What has been the most important lesson you’ve learned during this Minor?How my “professional self” can connect with the job market so that I can be happy in the work I will be doing.

What is one concrete skill you will take with you to your job later? 
Building a network, how a company functions.

Do you have any advice for students who want to do the Career Minor?
Go in with an open mind, and if you fully engage with the programme, you’ll gain so much from it!

An interview with Miruna Vasilache, who combined the Career Minor with her study Biology in 2025-2026.

This time last year, you had to choose a Minor. How did you end up choosing the Career Minor?
I wanted to change things up and follow a Minor out of my field of study. At the same time, I aimed for something that would help my future endeavours. The Career Minor seemed like the perfect fit for me: something new and exciting that would open doors for me, or at least teach me how to open them myself.

What do you think of the Career Minor?
When I first arrived, being the only one outside of the Faculty of Arts, I felt like a fish out of water. I was coming straight from Biology, my only work experience being a Teacher's Assistant and some laboratory work. But shortly after, I realized that we all wanted the same thing: to improve ourselves and learn how to better navigate the working market with all its challenges (and, if you play your cards right, all its rewards as well). The Career Minor has meant a lot to me, because it eliminated my paralyzing fear that I cannot get a job.

Which theme course did you pick during the first block and did you like it?
I picked the course “Working in and on Governance”. I enjoyed it, it was very interactive and fun.

What practical assignment did you do during the second block of the Career Minor and why did you choose it? 
I did an internship at a Water Research Center in Leeuwarden about Manganese-oxidizing bacteria in water filters. I chose it because it was more related to my field of study. The placement proved to be an amazing learning opportunity.

Can you tell us a little more about this assignment, for instance what did a general day during the second block look like for you?
My internship was in Leeuwarden, so every day I would commute there. Then, I was in the lab most of the day, doing various experiments or maintenance for my supervisor’s set-up. I learned how to work with pressurized water systems and reverse osmosis filters. When I was not in the lab, I analyzed the data that I recorded from my experiments or wrote in my lab journal.

How would you explain the Career Minor in one sentence?
It is a pleasant surprise that will help you gain confidence in your abilities and force you out of your shell.

What has been the most important lesson you’ve learned during this Minor?

There is no such thing as ‘being too much’. If you are not applying to jobs and taking opportunities, someone just as qualified as you will. So go for it!

What is one concrete skill you will take with you to your job later? 

Networking. I now know how to do it in a way that is professional and efficient.

Do you have any advice for students who want to do the Career Minor?
I would recommend this Minor to students who feel intimidated by the job market and need a push to put themselves out there. The Minor has many opportunities for you to grow professionally and discover where you belong. It is a great starting point from which you can build your career on. So, take advantage of the fact that they invite many speakers and talk with as many people as you can.