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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]One business owner said these talents are at top of his list for hiring.

“We want task-orientated people who have disciplines in critical thinking,” said Michael Fromm, CEO of Fromm Electric, an electrical manufacturing firm based in Reading, Pa.

“If someone’s studied literature, they know people and have insight into themselves and customers,” said Fromm, who majored in journalism. “I find people that have a liberal arts background have a broader view of the world and will go farther in business.”

The survey also found that business executives thought colleges weren’t teaching students what they need to know to succeed. A third of employers said graduates weren’t even qualified for entry level work when it came to reading and writing.

“A stem education is important but I think it’s sucked all the oxygen out of the room and crowded out investment in other areas like history, literature and political science,” said Jamie McKown, chairman of the government and polity department at the College of the Atlantic.

“I think the U.S. will lose some of its competitive edge if it takes the simplistic approach that this (STEM education) is the only pathway to economic success.”

A key result in the survey is the need for innovation in the workplace. Ninety-five percent of those surveyed said they look for college graduates who can think clearly and solve problems and be able to translate their ideas with good oral and communication skills.

“Our business students take more liberal arts classes, like the humanities, literature and art, than they take business classes,” said Donald Gibson, dean of Fairfield University. “This is rare among colleges, but we think this makes them more well rounded and better at succeeding in their chose field of business

“Businesses want more now,” Fox said. “In places like Google
, they want people who are self-motivated and articulate and can think on their own. It’s not enough just to have tech skills. Graduates have to do more.”[/quote]
What major doesn't teach their student how to think for themselves?

Self motivation is not something that you learn by major. It's fairly innate.  My DC is self motivated to a certain degree.  I agree that both self motivation and being articulate are important but that's not something you learn just because you are a history major.[/quote]

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