Liberal Arts Major-

They were golden when they marched into their high school graduation ceremonies four years ago. They would be off to college in a few months to broaden their horizons, gain independence and ready themselves to make their way in the world. Instead, they are now without any significant income and, once again dependent on parents and, worst of all, sheepishly moving back into their old bedrooms. What was all the studying for? The all-nighters and the extra-credit assignments? The second-guessing and self-doubt then set in. Perhaps a more practical major would have prevented all of this. Is a major in the liberal arts, i.e., social sciences or humanities, really just a waste of time and money?

What Employers Want

In the current economy, of course, graduates with those “practical majors” find themselves in the same boat as their liberal arts major classmates. Still, which majors have proven to land post-baccalaureate employment quicker and with better compensation? Forbes magazine addressed this issue in an article about the 15 most valuable college majors. The magazine’s findings were based on a survey by Millennial Branding, LLC. Without exception, each in-demand major was derived from a mathematical or scientific discipline, with biomedical engineering topping the list. Nearly 70 percent of hiring managers, the article continues, want to see coursework relevant to the available positions. Looking for new employees to hit the ground running, high-paying firms seek candidates with an existing knowledge base in the field. As tuition soars and opportunities shrink, the sociology major appears to be an unprofitable investment.

The Best Liberal Arts Degree

Like other social sciences, sociology has a quantitative component requiring statistical research. Cultivating competence in [Read more…] about Is a Liberal Arts Major a Wise Choice?