When Cathy Lauer revealed her decision to major in art history, her family expressed concern. What would she do with a bachelor's degree in such an esoteric subject? What was its value in the real world? Would a liberal arts degree help her get a job?
These are reasonable questions. A college education is an investment, and in today's competitive economic environment, students and their families expect to realize a tangible return on that investment. Some subjects and programs seem more likely to give a good return. A degree in the liberal arts, some might say, is an education undertaken purely for the love of learning. However, the value of a college education goes much further than a strict cost-benefit analysis of your first job out of college.
The Benefits of an Education
For the past several decades, there has been a widespread shift away from the liberal arts and toward career education - an apparently logical trend in light of heightened competition and economic globalization. Colleges and universities across the country have responded by offering a wealth of degree programs in business administration, education, law, nursing, and the allied health professions, among others. Online degree schools in particular have played an important role in making career-oriented degrees available to record numbers of adult students seeking professional advancement.
Yet some experts believe we're due for a liberal arts comeback, fueled by the growing demand for educated people with:
- the theoretical knowledge to analyze information and solve problems in any discipline
- the flexibility to cope with change successfully
- the ability to communicate in today's culturally diverse workplace
- the skills to teach, lead, and serve others via highly developed insight, understanding, and tolerance.
It's clear that a liberal arts education can be both useful and enjoyable. And because online degree schools are bringing educational opportunities to more students than at any time in history, it's easier than ever to learn what you love, love what you learn, and earn an associate's, bachelor's, or master's degree in the process.
It's Only Human to Study the Humanities
The humanities - liberal arts disciplines such as languages and literature, history, philosophy, psychology, and anthropology - help students seek answers to the following questions:
- Who am I?
- What is my responsibility to other people?
- How does my life connect with a larger history or culture?
Not only are these questions central to the journey from youth to adulthood; they reoccur again and again as we grow and change over the course of a lifetime. That's why a liberal arts education is never a waste of time. It can also be a route to rewarding and meaningful careers in the worlds of business, government, education, health care, the media, and just about every other field of endeavor you might imagine.
But What Can You Do with a Liberal Arts Degree?
Surveys of corporate leaders have identified a growing need for precisely the skills you'd expect of an English major:
- outstanding written and spoken communication
- critical thinking
- an ability to "read" complex situations and personalities
Former English majors are highly employable by a variety of organizations and in diverse functions, from marketing to business development and from employee relations to shareholder relations - and beyond.
Foreign language majors, too, are increasingly sought after, according to a study published by ERIC Digest. In a globalized economy, a second language is becoming a vital part of the basic preparation for many careers in business, government, and the non-profit sector. A degree in a foreign language, or in interdisciplinary area studies, will also increase your chances for advancement within an organization.
Perhaps you have a degree in political science, psychology, or sociology. Perhaps you majored in the history of philosophy, music, or religion. Classical Greek or Latin may have been your "thing" as an undergraduate. When it comes to the practical application of a liberal arts degree, experts agree that a broad education itself is more important than your specific major subject. The takeaway point is that a liberal arts background prepares you to think, analyze, and contribute meaningfully to the world around you.
Success with a Liberal Arts Degree
Cathy Lauer has never regretted her decision to pursue a degree in art history. After graduating from college 14 years ago, she took an entry-level position at an art gallery. In 2002, she completed an online master's degree in non-profit management, and today, she's the executive director of a prestigious arts organization. Cathy believes her undergraduate education, which immersed her in the great artistic traditions of the world, helped her find her way to success in a career she loves.
Online degree schools will continue to expand their career-focused degree programs to meet the needs of students and their prospective employers, but they also recognize that the pursuit of a liberal arts education may be more than just one of life's greatest pleasures. Like Cathy, motivated adult students will enjoy meeting the challenge of connecting the dots between their educational interests and their professional aspirations.
This article is sponsored by Lincoln College of Technology
Lincoln gives you the academic reputation and personalized attention of a traditional college along with the convenience, flexibility, and value you need and expect from an online college... That's the Lincoln Difference.
