Majors and Careers ~ Liberal Arts Careers

Students who major in the liberal arts are often falsely led to believe that they face an uncertain future in the world of work. On the one hand, they develop strong research, writing, communication and problem solving skills by majoring in English, History, and Political Science. These skills are often mentioned by business leaders as keys to a successful career. Universities support the view that the liberal arts prepare one for a variety of careers. But students also hear a different message from employers, parents, and peers. Majoring in the liberal arts is viewed by some as not being as marketable as an undergraduate business-related degree in accounting, finance, or marketing. Parents may ask their sons and daughters whether majoring in anthropology or French will pay career dividends. Many students and their parents may be surprised to learn that despite the myth about the lack of job opportunities for liberal arts majors, there is strong evidence that weighs in favor of majoring in the liberal arts. There are two databases available on the CDC web site connecting majors to careers.  The First Steps database houses survey data from Stanford graduates and lists the job title and type of organization for their first jobs after graduation.  This database is searchable by major.  The Experience by Degree database lists job titles by major for both recent alumni and alumni with years of experience. Go to http://cardinalcareers.stanford.edu/majors/ to search these databases.

Supporting our view that “you can do most anything with a liberal arts degree,” in these databases you will find history majors working as bankers, political science majors who are creative directors for advertising agencies, and English majors who are software architects.

Liberal arts degrees teach students speaking and writing skills, which are strong assets in today’s economy.  An annual survey by the National Association for Colleges and Employers (NACE) finds that communication skills are the highest ranked skills by employers. Employers responding to NACE’s Job Outlook 2003 survey were asked to rate the importance of candidate qualities and skills.  They made their own lists, submitting whichever traits they thought worthwhile.  The most desired characteristics in order of importance were communication skills, honesty/integrity, teamwork skills, interpersonal skills, motivation/initiative, and a strong work ethic.

Some employers still hold to the view that it makes more sense to hire a marketing major for a marketing job, or an accounting major for an accounting job; or they may believe that the transition period may be longer for a liberal arts major. They may, in fact, be making false assumptions and ignoring the fact that technology has changed the landscape of today's world of work. In order to keep up with constant change, today's workers need to be flexible, change-oriented, and good communicators. Liberal arts majors who have studied broadly have had the opportunity to develop these skills.

Many employers have held liberal arts graduates in high esteem for some time. A management report conducted by AT&T in 1989 found that "of all the educational experiences considered among college graduates, undergraduate major was the strongest predictor of managerial performance and progress. Humanities/social science majors had the best overall records with particular strengths in interpersonal and verbal skills and motivation to advance." [1]

Liberal arts majors need to carry the message about the benefits of a liberal arts education to employers. They can accomplish this in two ways. First, they need to be able to provide specific examples of how they have used job-related skills in coursework, internships, part-time work experiences, and extracurricular activities. Second, liberal arts majors need to be knowledgeable about careers. The Internet has made it much easier to research career fields and employers. Attaining that desirable first full-time job may hinge on the ability to address these points.

One important resource for liberal arts majors is the Career Development Center. Career counselors are available to help students assess their skills, interests, and values and thereby identify career fields and employers worth exploring. In the ever-changing world of work, a liberal arts degree will certainly continue to pay career dividends down the road.  

Career Tips for Liberal Arts Majors

Self-Assessment Successful job seekers have the ability to clearly define their skills, interests, and values in a way that makes sense to employers. For example, instead of telling an employer that you enjoy "working with people," provide specific examples of how you have used interpersonal, communication, or leadership skills. The CDC offers career assessments to help you clarify your top skills and interests and relate them to occupational options.  Visit the Assessment Web page to learn more: cardinalcareers.stanford.edu/start/assessments. Exploring Your Career Options There are several career publications that provide concise overviews of the world of work. In today's competitive job market, those individuals who have done their homework and understand basic differences between career fields will have an advantage. For relevant resources, refer to the books below and visit the CDC’s Career Exploration Web site at www.stanford.edu/dept/CDC/students/research/exploring.html. Internships/Summer Jobs/Extracurricular Activities Internships, summer jobs, and extracurricular activities demonstrate leadership, teamwork, and interests. Employers are expecting you to provide specifics about these experiences. You can explore internship opportunities at cardinalcareers.stanford.edu/internships. Informational Interviews/Networking The most up-to-date, reliable information on careers comes directly from successfully employed professionals. Alumni and other professionals often look forward to an opportunity to pass on their insights to students. For more information see the Networks and Contacts section at www.stanford.edu/dept/CDC/students/research/network.html.

Books for Liberal Arts Majors located in the Career Resource Center

• Guide to Your Career, Princeton Review
• Liberal Arts Jobs, Nadler
• The Liberal Arts Advantage: How to Turn Your Degree Into a Great Job, Giangrande
• High-Tech Careers for Low-Tech People, Schaffer

• Major in Success: Make College Easier, Beat the System, & Get a Very Cool Job, Combs
• What Color is Your Parachute? Bolles
• Zen and the Art of Making a Living, Boldt
• Jobs Rated Almanac 2001, Krantz
• Series of “Great Jobs” books for Liberal Arts Majors, Anthropology Majors, English Majors, Foreign Language Majors, History Majors, Political Science Majors, Psychology Majors, and Sociology Majors

• 101 Careers in Mathematics, Mathematical Association of America                                  

[1] "Liberal Arts Majors Are More Likely to Be Top Performers," Peter C. Thorp, Corporate University Relations, Citicorp, May 1989, used by permission.