Those With Humanities Degrees are Not Doomed
You probably study humanities if you’ve heard the question: “What is your backup plan?”
It hurts to be dismissed by cocky engineer who’s already secured a high paying internship for next summer. However, just because your degree doesn’t lead to a direct career path doesn’t mean you’ll be jobless. In fact, it’s freeing to know you won’t be limited to a narrow scope of career types.
People who say these dismissive comments likely don’t know what someone in your major studies. As a Creative Writing major, I’m astonished by how many people think we just read the classics and write silly haikus when in fact we are strengthening our voice on page, analyzing the effectiveness of what engages an audience, and how to market our ideas. These are all strong organizational skills desired in every company.
I decided to double major in Communication. (Oh no! Another worthless degree? Wrong). I see many memes about how Communication majors just are the equivalent of business majors minus the math courses. I have a sense of humor, so I do think these are funny, however, it’s clear that most people don’t understand what a communication major studies. Adding communication courses to my curriculum has strengthened my public speaking abilities, marketing tactics, and business management skills. Combined with what I study in creative writing, I’d say I’m a suitable candidate for jobs in public relations, advertising, campaign management, and much more.
A college degree is simply what you make of it. No matter what field you’re in, there are jobs waiting for you. If everyone was an engineer or doctor, no one would sell the technologies invented by these great scientist, nor would there even be such an establishment as hospitals — -which require a great deal of departmental oversight and administration.
Don’t forget grad school is always an option. I know many of my fellow English majors enter law school, but I do know a few who have gone on to medical school with a degree in Creative Writing. There is nothing that says you can’t have new directions of interest. There are plenty of humanities-based jobs that pay six-figure salaries.
It’s time to stop equating STEM with higher pay, because the world is not that simple.
Your pay will depend on your experience level, where you work, etc. Don’t feel discouraged just because your first job wasn’t a six-figure salary job. Nothing great comes easy, but your degree is not a factor in how successful you will be. The skills you develop in your education and the connections you make in your degree program matter more than what degree you choose
So, what? You’re a humanities major. You study a “soft” science. Your degree is not worthless. Employers need people of all backgrounds, so don’t apologize for studying what you love. No one wants to hire someone who hates what they’ve studied — -and will inevitably hate their job.
