What can I do with a humanities degree?

What Can I Do With a Bachelor's of Liberal Studies & Humanities Degree?

• Answer:

  College students who earn degrees in the liberal arts typically study a wide range of subjects. Instead of specializing in one area, the degree encourages study in a variety of subjects such as linguistics, philosophy, biology and so on. As a result, the student gains a well-rounded education. Typically liberal arts students are required to take a math course and/or a statistics or logic course prior to graduation. Benefits of a Liberal Arts Degree Besides gaining a well-rounded education, liberal arts students typically graduate with two major advantages: their ability to write well and their communication skills. "According to Careerbuilder.com, liberal arts majors get more out of college than an interesting transcript; they also master the writing and communication skills experts say are crucial to success in almost any career." The ability to write well and communicate effectively is a highly desirable skill in the eyes of many hiring officials. The Liberal Arts Degree and the Job Market Though liberal arts grads typically make less than their more specialized counterparts immediately after graduating, good communication skills and above-average public speaking skills tend to go a long way later down the road. By nature a liberal arts grad is also more adaptable to a changing job market, and this ability to adapt to new challenges and roles makes them attractive candidates to superiors. In the Sept. 22, 2008 edition of "FOXBusiness," Eric Darr, provost of Harrisburg University, is quoted as saying, "Students will likely go through multiple job changes, and the best preparation for that is a liberal arts degree because the skills you learn dealing with ambiguities, and understanding that there's no one right answer, is something that's valuable." Exploring Other Opportunities The humanities student is characterized by his desire for blending fields and gaining an understanding of many topics instead of specializing in just one. This skill set makes him a good candidate for international opportunities, whether it be choosing to teach English in a foreign country or joining the Peace Corps for a year. Potential for Graduate Study A great deal of liberal arts students enroll in graduate school or pursue additional learning opportunities after earning their Bachelor's degree. Because these students have not specialized in a single area they are excellent candidates for advanced degree programs such as law or master of fine arts degree programs. Long-Term Benefits During the course of their degree program, liberal arts students gain essential critical thinking skills that make them well-armed for whatever the future may hold. Degrees earned in the humanities and liberal arts set the stage for a wide range of careers and ensure that the graduates of such programs are able to succeed in a variety of occupations.