Parents who don't allow their kids to major in liberal arts

[Anonymous]

The people who learn how to think, speak and write will eventually be the bosses of the people who only know how to code or crunch numbers. It's a longer path, but it's much more interesting and rewarding.

[Anonymous]

I majored in Accounting but also took a lot of liberal arts classes, and I know how to write well. However, I was able to write fairly well by the time I graduated high school, at least well enough to use proper grammar and write a strong business memo. I don't know why Pearlstein needs to be so anti-accounting. Some of us needed to use our college education as a springboard to earning a living upon graduation. I do not find that my writing is as valued as my MBA, CPA and other accounting related credentials when it comes to being hired. That doesn't fit Pearlstein's thesis though.

[Anonymous]

Writing skill is necessary but not sufficient.

[Anonymous]

I have met too many people who have a lucrative career but hate what they do and can't wait to retire. I want my kids to follow the path that they love.
They just need to have their eyes wide open and understand that there are easier paths and more difficult ones, ways to make more money and other careers that are rewarding but less lucrative. At the end of the day, it is their life to live. You can always become a teacher with a liberal arts degree and that can be very rewarding, if not well paying.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have met too many people who have a lucrative career but hate what they do and can't wait to retire. I want my kids to follow the path that they love.
They just need to have their eyes wide open and understand that there are easier paths and more difficult ones, ways to make more money and other careers that are rewarding but less lucrative. At the end of the day, it is their life to live. You can always become a teacher with a liberal arts degree and that can be very rewarding, if not well paying.

I completely agree but make sure they know where they are headed before taking out $90,000 in student loans.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I was a liberal arts major (English) and now out earn many of my business major friends. They earned more right out of college, I earn more in middle age.

Me too, with a degree from a small regional college. My BFF's mother demanded she get a nursing degree when she wanted to major in design. In our 40's make 3X what she does. My friend's sister, who told her parent's to shove it, does as well. She's a designer.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I majored in Accounting but also took a lot of liberal arts classes, and I know how to write well. However, I was able to write fairly well by the time I graduated high school, at least well enough to use proper grammar and write a strong business memo. I don't know why Pearlstein needs to be so anti-accounting. Some of us needed to use our college education as a springboard to earning a living upon graduation. I do not find that my writing is as valued as my MBA, CPA and other accounting related credentials when it comes to being hired. That doesn't fit Pearlstein's thesis though.

I don't think the article was down on accounting as much as it was down on 18-year-olds choosing accounting as their life's work before they had experienced anything.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:These articles are so misleading. So you have an English degree from an Ivy or SLAC and got a 6 figure job out of college - whoop dee doo! What about the English major who went to community college then to a 3rd tier state university? Many of them are better off majoring in something practical.

I went to a third tier liberal arts school and then law school at Wash U. on a full ride. I got a very nice Biglaw job out of school and then went to a boutique firm before I started having kids. I make good money.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:These articles are so misleading. So you have an English degree from an Ivy or SLAC and got a 6 figure job out of college - whoop dee doo! What about the English major who went to community college then to a 3rd tier state university? Many of them are better off majoring in something practical.

I went to a third tier liberal arts school and then law school at Wash U. on a full ride. I got a very nice Biglaw job out of school and then went to a boutique firm before I started having kids. I make good money.

...because you have a law degree.

[Anonymous]

My oldest graduated last spring from a non-top tier state school with a degrees in history. He got a job right away at a PR firm in downtown DC making good money. He was never the best student and not very motivated (no internships, lifeguard and camp counselor during summer breaks) but he loves his job now. Someone there saw the spark in him that I see and he is doing great-- plus MOVING OUT at the beginning of Oct into his own place downtown. No debt either. Couldn't be prouder.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I literally know dozens of people who earned liberal arts degrees and couldn't find work after graduating. Everyone learns critical thinking as an undergraduate but you'd better learn some vocational skills while you are at it. You are doubly screwed if you borrowed a load of money to attend a private school unless you come from a wealthy family and don't have loans to pay back.

+1. If my kids don't need a high paying job then I'll fully support a liberal arts degree. Unfortunately, I think a liberal arts degree is a thing of the past and was more useful for upper class students who often went on to earn higher degrees. I don't want my children to be saddled with massive debt or to have to accept a job following college that pays less than their annual tuition was.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This is an interesting topic to me - We were at Ponte Vedra Beach in Florida a couple of weeks ago and I sat across from a guy at dinner who does all the executive level hiring for a large company based in Jacksonville. He said the trend now is swinging towards a preference for liberal arts majors. He said he can teach things specific to his industry, but he can't teach people to write. And the ability to write well is the most important thing. His experience is that liberal arts majors are better writers and better at thinking critically and solving complex problems.

Of course that's just one company. I'm sure there are examples of hiring managers who don't like liberal arts majors. I just thought it was interesting because his company is definitely what most would consider techy.

I find this interesting because I don't think that many jobs actually require a great deal of writing besides email communication. My job requires a decent amount and I have lawyers to help. It's not like there are many jobs out there requiring students to write essays.

[Anonymous]

Quick poll: who here majored in the liberal arts and NEVER got a job?

[Anonymous]

At the end of the day math and science majors are more difficult. Any decent student can write an essay and read a history book. Not every student can master computer science or differential equations. People are aware of this fact. anyone who took college level calculus classes and college level history classes is well aware of the difference.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:These articles are so misleading. So you have an English degree from an Ivy or SLAC and got a 6 figure job out of college - whoop dee doo! What about the English major who went to community college then to a 3rd tier state university? Many of them are better off majoring in something practical.

I went to a third tier liberal arts school and then law school at Wash U. on a full ride. I got a very nice Biglaw job out of school and then went to a boutique firm before I started having kids. I make good money.

...because you have a law degree.

*shrug* I fully expect my kids to go to grad school or professional school. Don't you?