12-18-2013, 04:09 PM
(This post was last modified: 12-18-2013, 04:12 PM by cookderosa.)
I say you have a big decision to make! There is truth in everything you've said, which is why there is no "one best degree" or "one best major" for anyone.
Typically, liberal arts degrees (humanities would be included in that category) are enrichment degrees; meaning they develop softer/more vague skills. Analytical skills would likely be better developed in a science program, but then there is no "one best skill" either; appreciation for art and culture may be overlooked in a science degree.....Everyone will get some skill, none really trump others.
While some of the people here are starting their career, you'll find the majority of people pursuing liberal arts as a "check the box" for a degree in a field they are already in, or as a way of meeting admissions requirements for a master's degree, etc. In other words, the limitations that might come from a liberal arts degree are LESS when the person already has a solid understanding of how that degree will SERVE THEM.
The second type of degree is specifically for job training. Examples are nursing, computers, elementary school teaching, automotive, etc. When you graduate with a degree "in" one of these areas, the goal is to then take that degree and go directly to work.
I think that the #1 degree in the USA is still psychology, which would be in the liberal arts group- so what you get are large pools of degree holders who are not specifically qualified for anything. (Psychology requires education beyond the traditional bachelor's degree in order to be a psychologist or such). That's not to say that they wasted their time/money, that is unless they didn't KNOW that what they were doing wouldn't prepare them for a job. Again, any degree helps you develop skills- and those skills will help you in life, and whatever job that is, but if your goal is a specific career, you need to find out how to best meet the training requirements of that job and then find the right degree to do that.
So, what do you want to be when you grow up? Work back from there.
Typically, liberal arts degrees (humanities would be included in that category) are enrichment degrees; meaning they develop softer/more vague skills. Analytical skills would likely be better developed in a science program, but then there is no "one best skill" either; appreciation for art and culture may be overlooked in a science degree.....Everyone will get some skill, none really trump others.
While some of the people here are starting their career, you'll find the majority of people pursuing liberal arts as a "check the box" for a degree in a field they are already in, or as a way of meeting admissions requirements for a master's degree, etc. In other words, the limitations that might come from a liberal arts degree are LESS when the person already has a solid understanding of how that degree will SERVE THEM.
The second type of degree is specifically for job training. Examples are nursing, computers, elementary school teaching, automotive, etc. When you graduate with a degree "in" one of these areas, the goal is to then take that degree and go directly to work.
I think that the #1 degree in the USA is still psychology, which would be in the liberal arts group- so what you get are large pools of degree holders who are not specifically qualified for anything. (Psychology requires education beyond the traditional bachelor's degree in order to be a psychologist or such). That's not to say that they wasted their time/money, that is unless they didn't KNOW that what they were doing wouldn't prepare them for a job. Again, any degree helps you develop skills- and those skills will help you in life, and whatever job that is, but if your goal is a specific career, you need to find out how to best meet the training requirements of that job and then find the right degree to do that.
So, what do you want to be when you grow up? Work back from there.
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