The Wall Street Journal ranks Gettysburg College No. 21 among the best liberal arts colleges in the nation, and a primary reason is our exceptional career outcomes and return on investment.
This national recognition is reinforced by what employers themselves are telling us. A 2025 career readiness survey of 120 employers found that Gettysburg graduates consistently outperform their peers in the skills that matter most in today’s workplace.
Here are the must-have career skills that employers say separate Gettysburgians from the competition.
Employer survey results
Ability to work on a team
Teamwork is an enduring skill at Gettysburg College, cultivated both in and out of the classroom. From group projects and presentations to competing on one of our 24 NCAA Division III varsity sports teams, our students learn what it means—and what it takes—to be a great teammate.
Problem solving
Gettysburg’s liberal arts and sciences curriculum challenges students to explore problems from multiple vantage points and to consider multiple disciplinary approaches to solving them. Students hone their problem-solving skills through our Cross-Disciplinary Science Institute (X-SIG), our 140-plus clubs and organizations, and our more than 80 majors, minors, and programs of study.
Written communication
Clear and effective writing is paramount to a quality education—and a skill every Gettysburg student develops during their four years on campus, regardless of major or career path. It’s said that good writing is good thinking, and at Gettysburg College, students are challenged through essays, research papers, and co-curricular experiences—such as writing for our student newspaper, The Gettysburgian, or contributing to our literary magazine, The Mercury—to communicate with purpose and precision, preparing them to meet the high expectations of the professional organizations they will join.
Creativity
Creativity thrives at Gettysburg College across all fields of study. Students are invited to imagine and experiment within our Rogers Center for Innovation and Creativity. They can find their voice in our theatre arts and art and art history majors, and perform as part of our talented Sunderman Conservatory of Music ensembles and Bullets Marching Band.
Leadership
At Gettysburg, leadership is learned by doing. It’s a practice fostered in the classroom, on the hills of the Appalachian Trail, along the streams of Michaux State Forest, throughout the historic battlefield that surrounds our campus, and through marquee programs like our Garthwait Leadership Center and Eisenhower Institute. Developing effective leaders is truly at the heart of Gettysburg College’s mission.
Verbal communication
Clarity is key—and clear communication can quickly distinguish Gettysburgians in their academic and professional pursuits. Our students learn how to articulate their ideas thoughtfully and persuasively. Gettysburgians refine their verbal communication skills through internship opportunities provided by our Center for Career Engagement, community showcases like CAFÉ and Burgburst, and even on the stage of our 800-seat Majestic Theater.
Strong work ethic
Grit, determination, and a strong work ethic are hallmarks of the Gettysburg experience. In fact, it’s an integral part of our community’s character, forged since our College’s founding in 1832. You’ll often find our students actively studying in Musselman Library to meet their own high expectations. We attract hard-working students—most notably our prestigious Eisenhower Scholars—and build upon their can-do mindset through our Kolbe Summer Fellows Program, Civil War Institute, and countless other campus offerings.
Willingness to learn
At Gettysburg, curiosity and a willingness to learn are vital. Students are encouraged to ask tough questions and explore diverse viewpoints—often discovering new passions along the way. Through our First-Year Seminar program, study abroad opportunities through our Center for Global Education, and engagement with our broader community through the Center for Public Service, Gettysburgians stretch beyond their comfort zones and learn to see the world in new ways.
Initiative
Gettysburg students are empowered to take initiative and chart their own paths. Whether creating a new student organization, pursuing their own intellectual interest through our Interdisciplinary Studies program, or establishing a new campus tradition—as Lindsay Morlock ’04 did by launching our cherished First-Year Walk over 20 years ago—students gain the courage to turn their ideas into action.
Analytical and quantitative skills
Analytical and quantitative thinking is deeply woven into our Gettysburg education—from courses in the natural sciences and social sciences to the humanities and the arts. Students strengthen these skills in our Brogan Center for Quantitative Learning and Bloomberg Terminal Lab, both of which are open to students 24/7.
Flexibility and adaptability
In today’s rapidly changing world, flexibility and adaptability have never been more important—and our students practice both throughout their Gettysburg College journey. By engaging in a wide range of coursework—from finance and biology to computer science—and embracing new strategies to navigate life’s obstacles, with guidance from our Center for Student Success, students learn to adjust, pivot, and thrive in any environment.
A proven approach
Our Gettysburg Approach is designed to benefit the whole student throughout their life and career. We achieve this by building within every student the knowledge and enduring skills to thrive in a world marked by change.
Students in our Guided Pathways program receive support from their own Personal Advising Team. Comprised of a faculty advisor, a co-curricular advisor, and a career advisor, a student’s Personal Advising Team guides them through their academic progress and our co-curricular offerings.
At the conclusion of their sophomore year, students can add an alumni mentor to their Personal Advising Team—a trusted resource who can assist them in defining their career goals and building their professional network.
It’s this innovative, hands-on approach that distinguishes Gettysburg from many other top colleges and universities today—and positions our graduates to outperform their peers in a highly competitive workforce.
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By Mike Baker
Photos by Jason Minick, Ryan Murray, Tyler Caruso, and Miranda Harple
Posted: 02/13/26