When people asked me what I wanted to study in college, they had various ideas of what they wanted me to say: Medicine, law, business or computer science. What they didn’t expect me to say was English or, later on, media and communication. It seems that “softer” fields such as the arts and communication fields are increasingly underestimated in today’s STEM-driven career field, but what would the world be without them?
With more technology and a more competitive climate comes a need for better, savvier communicators who can reach people in new ways over multiple platforms. Strong writing and communication skills are in high demand in the workforce, and arts and communication degrees are teaching students those exact skills.
Communicators are the backbone of the workforce. Our scientists can perform groundbreaking medical research, but no one is going to receive their work if it isn’t written and communicated effectively. A business can generate concepts and products, but it won’t succeed unless someone can find a creative way to market those ideas and present them to the correct audience. Communication students are trained to do just that: To identify target audiences and come up with creative campaigns and strategies that attract that audience.
When it comes to English and other liberal arts degrees, people tend to think that teaching is the only use for it, but that isn’t true. Liberal arts degrees give students a broad, well-rounded knowledge of various subjects and emphasize “big picture” ideas rather than just specialized details. Liberal arts students also develop sharp writing, critical thinking and creative problem-solving skills, making them excellent communicators and creative thinkers. This makes them ideal candidates for almost any career field, not just teaching.
An emphasis on STEM jobs is a current trend in our society, but they’re not for everyone, and they’re definitely not the only valuable career paths. Find what works best for you.
