Many parents dread hearing their child say these words before heading off to college: I’m going to major in Liberal Arts. With the precarious state of the economy and the unemployment rate, those words can be daunting for any parent. All they want is for their child to succeed; what are their chances with a degree that statistically offers the least amount of jobs upon graduation?
We all know that STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) majors are what get the jobs right now. Even in a recession, positions such as Computer Information Engineers and Physicists can expect about 20% job growth over the next decade. These types of fields are often considered necessities when it comes to advancing our current systems and practices, and they give us a leg-up in the technology driven world.
So what does that mean for Liberal Arts majors? Have they become insignificant and obsolete in today’s job market? Laura McMullen, author of “Tips for Making the Most Out of Liberal Arts Degrees” doesn’t think so. She says that although it may be harder to secure a job after graduation, it certainly can be done.
Here are some key ways Liberal Arts majors can snag their dream job:
Pursue opportunities early on. As a Liberal Arts major, you already know that your chances of finding a job upon graduation are a lot slimmer than those with STEM majors. You cannot afford to be “lazy” when opportunities present themselves during your college career; you must avidly pursue them.
Internships are a great way to get your foot in the door for a career. Liberal Arts majors should consider an internship outside of their field, such as Economics or Finance. Since you have already developed a certain set of skills, such as critical thinking and reasoning, developing a completely different set can show how adaptable you are to new material and make you more desirable as a long-term employee. Also consider taking several different electives unrelated to your major; course diversity on your resume can open new doors for you in the future.
Show off your skills. When it comes time for an interview, don’t be shy about what you’ve learned and what you know. Those who are interviewing you understand that this may be your first opportunity, so be sure to showcase the schoolwork you’ve done well in.
For example, if you just finished up a group project with other students on the philosophy of religion, focus on explaining how you exhibited leadership by suggesting the group collaborate on ideas and then section the work off into chunks for each member to complete. Employers will sometimes center in on the personality of the candidate they are interviewing, rather than the degree. By exhibiting confidence and demonstrating you are able to take on roles that require a lot of responsibility, you could acquire positions both inside and outside the realm of Liberal Arts.
Stick with what you’re good at. It’s important to know what your skills are, and focus on improving and developing those skills further. If you know you are an amazing writer and can express your ideas fully through your words, use that to your advantage. Many businesses love an employee who can write eloquently and does not need to constantly be reminded of spelling, grammar, or even content errors. Consequently, this will show your boss that you are able to work independently and need very little direction, which makes you valuable.
Sarah Romeo, a graduate from Fordham University with an English degree, says, “I’ve found that my writing skills have really helped my negotiating skills as well. And I’ve saved my company a lot of money in arts and image purchasing because I know how to reason my way out of a paper bag.”
Just remember, having a Liberal Arts degree does not have to limit you. As noted in a previous blog of Ann’s, it’s resiliency and grit that are the greatest predictors of success, not whether you pursue philosophy or physics.