The question of the relevance or value of a liberal art degree will never die, as long as the terrain of higher education and career selections transforms constantly. Critics usually point out that this degree is of an appropriation value which fits only few select people. Notwithstanding this perspective the plurality of values together with the significance of the liberal arts education in the dynamic world today cannot be overlooked.
The first thing to put straight about what a liberal art degree presumes is that. In its opposite, it differs from a being who delays his studies with the notion that it is simply a cluster of abstract subjects of thinking or literature. It turns out that STEM isn’t just a single field made of computer science, engineering, or other tech areas, but rather a wide range of disciplines, including humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, and math. This integrative type of learning crucially develops critical thinking, analytical reasoning and effective communication which are characteristics/traits that employers are demanding in diverse workplaces.
The first myth is that liberal arts goes usually hand in hand with the inability to attain a well-paying job. On the downside, the effect of AI could be characterized by some initial hurdles on a competitive job market, but data is optimistic about the outcome over the long-term. A statistics by the Association of American Colleges & Universities showed that bachelor degree holders in liberal arts demonstrate higher probability of multiple job change, personal satisfaction, and long-term success as against holders of specialized degrees. The ability to adapt, to be creative, and to look at life from a global point of view are all qualities that are present in a liberal arts education and they are becoming more and more valuable and highly sought-after attributes that employers are looking for.
Although it is likely that the true power of the liberal arts education is often underappreciated, there certainly remains a diversity in this area. It is also a guarantee for multiple professions and professional areas, such as business, power, and technology, medicine, or welfare services. Companies tend to find well-educated candidates with diverse experiences (i.e. analytical, communicative, planning, etc.) appealing because of their ability to approach challenges from several routes. In the quickening and the changing world, where industries can fast become obsolete, mastering learning, unlearning, and adapting becoming indispensable abilities under the rigorousness of a liberal arts class.
Critics of the liberal arts dismiss the option and regard it as having low earning potential attached compared to professional/technical degrees. While it is heartening to note that some majors may attract higher starting salaries, the financial reward of liberal arts education does not stop after the first salary negotiation. Research reveals that graduates in liberal arts repeatedly make it to the top leadership positions and excel to competitive salaries today overtime, among other reasons, because their analytical skills, leadership qualities, and problem solving abilities are paramount.
In addition, the role of liberal arts education in society what deserves no less emphasis. It seeds critical thinkers who can discuss purposefully about social justice, ethics, and sustainable environment, which are basic traits for forming just societies and building global citizenship. In interpersonal relationships or discussing monumental historical events, one can skillfully apply prevailing general concepts and fundamental specification of catefory to interact his own life in every way.
One of the most popular beliefs that a liberal arts graduate lacks employment skills that are needed in today’s technology-oriented society, is another prevalent misperception. The inclination of liberal arts with the STEM abilities (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) practices leads to the development of solutions for contemporary pressing issues. In liberal arts education interlinkages of different disciplines yield in creativity and interdisciplinary collaboration between different organizations – the most important constituents of technology development and social progress.
In addition, the development of soft skills like communication, critical thinking and problem-solving, though some of those strength areas of liberal arts graduates, have become so prominent in the decade of the digital age. In the context of the abundance of information, the skill of abridging, assessing, and verbalizing thoughts becomes a set of all-time valuable ones. The liberal arts pursue the development of the entire personality and makes people enjoy living a life with a constant passion for knowledge and discovery, and this is the skill set that is being highly plaid in the digital epoch.
It is necessary to remember that when you mention the liberal arts degree, it is not a fixed category. It depends on how good is education quality, how much interesting the curriculum, and the type of practical learning at different institutions. Thereby, students need to conduct a hunt and select the programs that are within their interest, career goals, and life purpose. Thus, interning, conducting original research and having extracurricular involvement along with a major in the arts makes the experience and value of learning more meaning which in turn increases the chances of gainful employment.
Lastly, the idea that liberal arts degrees are good only for a particular group of people and not for everybody is a fraud and it cannot capture the limited opportunities and purposeful nature of such education. While a liberal arts degree plants the people with necessary skills, awakens the minds and shows them the ways to managing the difficulties brought by the rapidly changing times. While tackling the global issues that are seemingly impossible to be seen as whole categories, the liberal arts education becomes more and more of prominence–it brings the greater value to people by creating an opportunity to nurture the purposeful individuals, to help them contribute to the society, and to set the world in the right direction.
