Liberal arts degrees cover a range of topics, namely social sciences, the arts and humanities and students can further specialize in various topics within these fields.
Worlds of possibilities are opening up rapidly for degree holders in the field and where they were once only popular in the United States, they are now a plausible path of study around the world.
Liberal arts degrees are quite expansive, covering a range of different subjects. One of the key benefits of doing these courses is the amount of exposure that students get to different topics which could eventually go on to become areas of interest.
The opportunities to study abroad are also more plentiful than in other courses, so in addition to studying the subject, you’re also immersing yourself in the history, culture and traditions of the place.
Where Did Liberal Arts Degrees Originate?
Liberal arts degrees can be traced back to the Ancient Greeks, which means that they’ve been around for thousands of years and are the earliest forms of formal education.
These degrees covered topics necessary for leading a life in public, which meant serving on juries, defense in court, public debates and serving in the military. Other skills, such as logic and grammar, were also taught—subjects that are still taught today in liberal arts degrees.
Other common skills that are taught in today’s liberal arts degrees include communication skills, analysis, critical thinking and the ability to study and understand a range of subjects. Subjects taught could include political science, English literature, Classics, economics and philosophy; some include subjects like sociology and economics too.
The great thing about liberal arts degrees is that they are liberal—there’s no rigid boundary that defines what a liberal arts degree is and by extension, what to do with a liberal arts degree.
Possibilities with a Liberal Arts Degree
Contrary to previously-existing beliefs, there are numerous career paths that await those with liberal arts degrees. This is because of the variety of subjects covered in the course, as well as the growing need for professionals knowledgeable about human attributes.
With a liberal arts degree, students can work in communication, journalism, media and public relations—all professions that place emphasis on good communication skills. Graduates of liberal arts degrees may also choose to pursue a career in politics, from running the office to working with a party or working in an administrative capacity.
Students with liberal arts degrees are also welcome in art galleries and museums. If the liberal arts degree involves language study, becoming a translator is also a great option. Many liberal arts students also choose to continue studying, pursue a career rooted in academia, conduct research or teach.
Here’s a more detailed breakdown of professions that you can pursue with a liberal arts degree, broken down subject wise.
English
English majors, with a specialization in language and literature, have also studied literary theory, social science and history. This makes them sought after as museum curators, writers and historians. Additionally, jobs in film, theater, public relations, journalism, storytelling (poetry, fiction, screenwriting, non-fiction and news) and advertising are also viable options. Being an editor or technical writer is also an extremely lucrative option, both earning you upwards of $60,000 per annum.
History
If you’ve studied history in your liberal arts degree, you can help many companies analyze significant historical events to better prepare for the future. History graduates often have strong analytical and research skills, due to the structure of the course itself. Therefore, jobs such as policy advisor, historical interpreter and curator are possible options. Roles in law, business, education and journalism are also viable options.
Some career roles History majors should consider include archivist/curator/museum workers and historians; the latter can earn you $63,000 a year and the former around $49,000.
Communications
A major in communications can earn you a job in public relations or advertising and even graphic design. Industries such as these rely heavily on good and efficient communication—those with a background of coursework in public speaking and graphic design are gold!
Psychology
While the human mind has always been fascinating, the need to understand it has grown, especially given the higher incidence of mental health and behavioral issues.
Psychology provides an understanding of this, which is that psychology majors are valued as Human Resource Managers, Market Research Analysts and counselors dealing with substance abuse, behavioral disorders and mental health. The first two jobs can earn you upward of $60,000 a year, whereas as a counselor, you’ll earn around $46,000 a year.
Sociology
If psychology has been important to study the individual mind, sociology is important to human behavior and psyche in groups. Sociology studies social behavior and the behavior of people in groups, as well as social science research, religion, history and geography.
Students also gain a perspective into the economic, political and historical issues that plague society and how to deal with or solve these. Sociology majors are sought after for jobs in criminal justice, social services and public health, such as health educators, community health workers and social and community service managers. The latter can earn you around $67,000 a year, whereas the former can earn you around $46,000 a year.
The Bottom Line
As you can see, there’s a lot you can with a liberal arts degree. One of the best things about liberal arts is that it is so vast, which means that students who have majored in the field are in demand for a range of positions across fields, which also makes it more likely that they’ll find a job that they actually like and are passionate about!
As long as you’re willing to learn and pick up skills to complement what you have learned, you’re going to be valuable to the market with your liberal arts degree, so pursue your passion for the arts confidently!
