The value of liberal arts degrees has been scrutinized in recent years; however, we are confident that the training and skills gained by studying fields in the liberal arts and sciences will prepare students for a wide array of career opportunities. Today’s graduates are likely to be employed in many jobs and settings before retirement. Therefore, narrow job training will not serve most students in the long run. Moreover, we know that liberal arts graduates perform very competitively in salary with their professional counterparts, especially by mid-career. Thus, we cannot always judge their success by their first job out of college. But let us not forget that job placement and salary, while important, are not the only considerations in work and in life. On average, we spend nearly a third of our lives working, and we hope that something more is at stake than just a paycheck. Job satisfaction requires a sense that we are doing something meaningful and providing a valuable service. Degrees in the liberal arts encourage us to challenge ourselves and continue to grow, such that our jobs are much more than sources of income. They are part of our life’s work.
Interim Dean Nancy Johnson
ALUMNI NEWS
If you want advice on how to navigate today’s tough job market and find rewarding careers, listen to the personal stories of three inspiring alumni from the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences.
COLLEGE OF LIBERAL ARTS & SCIENCES NEWSLETTER
Asian Studies faculty, students and alumni gathered during Alumni Weekend to celebrate the program’s 50th anniversary and reflect on its storied history.
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