What do liberal arts majors do?

[Anonymous]

I was reading in one of the other threads that even physics and math majors are considered borderline employable these days, and have to double up in something "practical". Normally I would take that as normal DCUM overreaction but I'm starting to sweat it for a niece of mine.

Consider the following scenario. You're at a school ranked somewhere in the 20s on the US News liberal arts colleges list, majoring in some branch of literature. It's too late to transfer out or switch majors. You might want to do a professional degree (e.g. law school) at a later date, but you want to work a few years first.

What's the play here? Is there a reasonably straightforward path to good earnings? Or are you doomed to penury til you snag your J.D. or whatever?

[Anonymous]

There are so many things you can do in this world that aren’t engineering. My background fits your description and I work in marketing. I make around $350k. Entry level is about $60k.

Sharp analytical thinkers and storytellers will be needed, even in an AI-driven world.

[Anonymous]

The play here is MYOB.

(By the way, sounds like she's a humanities major at a liberal arts college, not a liberal arts major.)

[Anonymous]

This post has to be a joke - LAC grad who leads a bank division

[Anonymous]

lol we’re doing just fine with our insane connections. The more obscure the major, the better the talking points for interviews. IYKYK

[Anonymous]

My kid is about to become a registered lobbyist (technical title) and general fixer in a niche, NOT TECH industry. His mentors make bank and had esoteric majors that have nothing to do with said niche industry or lobbying or politics

[Anonymous]

English major to bank training program to top 10 MBA program. I wish people would stop with the liberal arts hate. It’s really getting tiresome.

[Anonymous]

Maybe stints teaching English online or college essay help?

[Anonymous]

Math and Science for two examples, OP.

Want more?

[Anonymous]

Fast track consulting job right alongside people with their Masters. Ready to make millions.

[Anonymous]

Straightforward path? No. Not as straightforward as CS or engineering. But a longer-term path to something genuinely interesting, with great career mobility? Yes.

[Anonymous]

Cool stories.
I also know someone who didn't go to a college but making millions if that' the level of your critical and logical thinking skills obtained from your humanities degrees LOL

I'll go with more genera data
Harvard English = $4,9675
https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school/?16602...301&fos_credential=3

[Anonymous]

I am an English major who now is in upper leadership of a public health organization. I use my writing and analysis and people-insight skills (literature is great for teaching insight into the human mind and human condition) every day, all day.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am an English major who now is in upper leadership of a public health organization. I use my writing and analysis and people-insight skills (literature is great for teaching insight into the human mind and human condition) every day, all day.

This. Literature turned on the lights for me in a way I could never have anticipated.

[Anonymous]

A college degree opens the door to many opportunities, regardless of major. Most job listings require a degree, not a specific course of study. There are plenty of positions in government, non-profits, and private sector that will happily take someone with a liberal arts degree.