Success in the Liberal Arts Via Public Institutions
Are you a recent high school graduate in need of a degree, but aren’t sure in what? Are finances causing you to rethink if college would work or not. You are probably well aware that you were told to attend an elite college. Many students hold misconceptions about college through given painted narratives that do not necessarily hold true. These misconceptions lead to the variety of definitions of success. What is success? How is it measured? Is success guaranteed? These questions are answered in very subjective ways that draw from complex reasoning. Many believe success spans from monetary means. While this can be true for many, it is far from being true for others. What many do not realize is the success found within the liberal arts degrees. Many believe that because a liberal arts degree does not always span into a specific career as a degree in the STEM program does, those with a liberal arts degree will not find much success. I will debunk this narrative by demonstrating not just the necessity of the liberal arts, but the skills given that aid in guaranteeing a successful career. The two major misconceptions that I bring up are liberal arts does not offer value; elite, ivy league colleges are more valuable than public institutions.
The article “Shut up about Harvard” by Ben Casselman summarizes the major misconceptions the media has on college and the overall decision-making process. Many misconstrue the process as being about making a good impression on the college. However, Casselman, says that “students do not realize that they do not need an entrance essay, nor do they need to stress about getting accepted especially into select schools. As an example, Harvard’s acceptance rate is less than 5 percent.” For public schools, the acceptance rate is much higher. Many who believe private institutions are the best “bang for your buck” do not realize the unnecessary debt that extends from attending nor do they understand that many who attend these schools do not finish due to the debt imposed. To further this point, the article points to the idea that if a student desires a master’s degree, that student should not waste their money on an expensive four-year private institution for employers only care about your graduate school. In other words, in order to best stay away from debt, a student should get their first four years out of the way in the least expensive way possible, then find a good graduate school that gives a positive diploma reflection. This article debunks the narrative that private institutions bring about better results for students than public institutions in their years of undergraduate study.
Do you want to graduate debt free? This may seem impossible to many but can be achieved. Cost is key. Cost can be the main deterrent to a student’s college decision-making process. What is interesting about “Shut up about Harvard” is that many students had hoped to get enough scholarships to attend the college of their choice. What they often fail to realize is that the cost of housing on campus is not always included in tuition scholarships and grants. Also, many colleges require their students to live on campus to accept certain scholarships. This causes students to realize that many private institutions are expensive because they prey upon those who want the true “college experience” and the name of the institution on their transcript. Many choose not to attend expensive private institutions to avoid going into debt and living on the edge. For example, UC Blue Ash’s tuition is almost half the cost to attend Main Campus. For two years, many would much rather be debt free than owe 12,000 more dollars for the same piece of paper you can receive at Blue Ash. This does not even account for the cost of on-campus housing which is about the same cost as tuition per semester at Blue Ash. This article also portrays the realization that students do not take advantage of regional colleges because of peer pressure and the idea of not having a reputable name on your transcript. The dissented argument would be that regional campuses do not hold as much “hype.” What college admissions fails to uphold is the idea that regional campuses are just as reputable as main campuses.
There are various misconceptions that people align liberal arts education with. One to name is the misconception that “liberal” education means indoctrinating students to speak and write through a politically “liberal” agenda. This in fact is not the case. Though students do take political classes, it is not the goal of a liberal arts education to indoctrinate students. Another misconception about liberal arts is that employers will not want to hire students graduating with a liberal arts degree. This is also not true as most employers recommend their employees get a degree in liberal arts. This article debunks the false narrative that liberal arts degrees are useless. It is also plausible to state that this article aligns with the question as to why people choose STEM programs over liberal arts programs. The main reason is students fail to realize that both programs hold value. Many are taught to believe that one cannot get a stable, high-paying job through liberal arts. Students fail to realize that a liberal arts degree is favored in the workforce because that education path teaches how to properly communicate and write professionally. The true goals of a liberal arts education are to allow students to receive the skills necessary for the workforce as well as develop their own desired career. Now, why would some want to attend an ivy league? Many renowned political figures bicker about what college or institution they went to for a greater appeal of their intelligence to their captured audience. The false narrative is that those who attend a private college including Ivy League are more respected and seen as having more intelligence than those who attended a public institution.
So, how does an ivy league fit in with this discussion? The article “Ivy Leagues Are Overrated” by Quinn Kennedy speaks on how there is a misconception that attending ivy league institutions automatically guarantees success. It is reality that even the top students from these institutions are not guaranteed success in either their career or life-fulfillment. The article states that “those who were not accepted into these institutions can still stand at the top percentile in the nation.” Kennedy claims that just because a person had graduated from an ivy league, they are not always successful. However, the article points to public institutions being misrepresented and unsuccessful. Here is the key to note: ivy league colleges are respected only by name. It is also noted that public institutions are not represented because “anyone can attend these institutions.” This answers the question as to why students choose these colleges. The main reason is because a reputation follows the student. It also answers a question as to the success story of students who graduate from public versus private institutions. Not everyone who graduates from an ivy league is successful. There are many reasons that point to this, but one is motivation. Many graduating from an ivy league believe that jobs will land in their palms. They believe that people will reach out to them because they graduated from reputable colleges. This is not the case. Success is not handed to you. One must work and be motivated to make success obtainable. Therefore those attending public education tend to have more motivation to be successful. Many times, those who graduate from a public college receive more success than those who attend a private institution
This may seem pertinent, but how does liberal arts in a public institution compare to a STEM program in a private institution? In an article titled, “Innovation Needs Liberal Arts,” Gobble asserts that liberal arts degrees are needed in the work force to fit the basic needs of innovation within STEM fields. Although a liberal arts degree may not give starting salaries that are the same or higher than traditional STEM, she asserts that “most salaries that span from a liberal arts degree often narrows with the traditional STEM salaries over time.” She agrees with the notion that liberal arts are great sources of education by citing Thomas Jefferson’s stances on the matter. Jefferson credited public liberal arts as he found the liberal arts gave him a high level of education. She furthers her claim by introducing George Flanders’ claim that many public offered liberal arts programs give way to careers often toping those that do not fulfill the liberal arts track. He furthers that over time, one may find more life success in the “open to the public” liberal arts track. Gobble believes that many liberal arts jobs are needed to fulfill the roles that innovation offers. This article aligns with the belief that liberal arts degrees often help our society meet goals as far as job creation. It points to the further understanding of the necessity of liberal arts within our society.
This begs the question, where does liberal arts come from, and how will it benefit in daily life? As Kate Wintrol states in “The Intrinsic Value of Liberal Arts: Cicero’s Example,” it comes from Republican Rome. The main course concepts included grammar, rhetoric, and logic formation. This can help facilitate understanding that liberal arts have been around for quite some time. Students needed to learn things that go beyond just acquiring a job. It is believed that a liberal arts education began aiding in the learning process of many life lessons such as the daily suffering that being an adult entailed. This idea has not changed in today’s world. The liberal arts today have helped shape our young thinkers into successful adults by giving them the recourses of writing, active listening, and communication skills. Honors programs within the liberal arts education will allow students to meet these goals as well; they are providing for students the resources to face the obstacles of adulthood. Wintrol helps us understand the history of the liberal arts education as well as understand the necessity that liberal arts have in society. Liberal arts are beneficial for society and the common good of our job industry.
It has been established that a liberal arts degree brings about much success. It is argued that a liberal arts degree can bring about more success than a STEM track. However, just how can it be measured? According to Forbes, those in the liberal arts degree will make $15,000 more after 10 years in the field than those in a science track. This furthers the idea that a liberal arts degree can lead to more success than not. A liberal arts degree is beneficial for society and the common good of our job industry. According to an article published by Pete Davies from Southern New Hampshire University, soft skills will always be needed in the workforce, and a liberal arts degree will help meet those needs through the analyzation and ability to work with group dynamics. This shows the need for liberal arts as well as the open job markets that benefit from a liberal arts program
Many would doubt that a liberal arts degree would grant success even though many are successful. Doubters in the media including recruiters would claim that a liberal arts degree is not job specific and therefore does not guarantee as much success as those who go straight into career-oriented graduate school. The media would tout that the most successful individuals come from graduate school not from a liberal arts program. However, what is not accounted for in this reasoning is that nearly 47 percent of the liberal arts majors who hold no graduate degree hold jobs in high-paying business jobs tat require some form of college education. It is also noted the 24 percent moreover hold jobs in journalism and politics. What also needs to be noted is the definition of success in the eyes of graduates. Does success mean being comfortable in the realm of finances or does it mean enjoying life to its fullest. Success is not always black and white for every individual. Moreover, many who do not go into the liberal arts program and instead head off to graduate school do not tout the feeling of success in life-enjoyment. Doubters would claim that success is based off wealth, but this is not true considering the many of graduate degree drop-outs that occurred in foresight of not being fulfilled with life-enjoyment, but only financial enjoyment. Success is very broad and therefore, can be applied to many in the liberal arts program. The idea that a person cannot be successful if they decide to expand their careers into a liberal arts is absurd.
It is established that there are many doubters within the realm of education. What doubters need to understand is that not every college student has the recourses to pursue a master’s degree or even a PhD. The idea of entering a 6 to 8-year education program can be absurd for many as the monetary resources are not present. Also, many people who pursue a liberal arts degree may take into consideration life factors. Factors such as being a husband, wife, caregiver, having a job, or having children can hinder the education process. Also, whether you live close to a campus or not can also hinder your ability to obtain a master’s degree. If you have a family you need to take care of, you most likely will not be able to live on campus. There are many factors that are involved when students take on a liberal arts degree. They may not find the STEM track or humanities track to be of much interest. Because of this, the liberal arts degree helps off-set the undecidedness among students. In fact, public institutions often grant liberal arts programs that dig less into your pockets than liberal arts in a private institution.
Many of you are disheartened when you realize you may not have the ability to receive a master’s degree. In lieu of this, you do what they can. A liberal arts degree is definitely an excellent source of higher education. The liberal arts degree allows students to pursue your own career at a lower cost. The writings presented have debunked the narrative that pursuing a liberal arts degree does not guarantee success. Success is only given to those who are motivated to make their life worthwhile. It can be defined differently by many but can only be truly felt when the beholder looks back on their life and finds meaning through their experience. Therefore, a liberal arts degree is coveted among many across the US. Therefore, so many employers find no fault in a liberal arts degree.
There are many people who have found great success in the liberal arts. Those who doubt this claim most likely do not feel a sense of life-long achievement and are not fulfilled. I challenge anyone who doubts the liberal arts degree to look at the curriculum offered and view the job outlook of the career track. You will find that many entrepreneurs, philanthropists, etc. have benefitted greatly from the degree and experience. Those of you who have not yet found fulfillment in life should challenge yourself to look into a liberal arts degree in order to see the possibility of having life-long success.
