I posted this in another thread, but it’s worth reading “You Can Go Anywhere” by George Anders, or at least listening to some interviews with him. He really effectively bridges the gaps between liberal arts skills and the demands of a tech- and STEM-heavy economy. Lots of examples, paired with compelling data.

He’s honest about the challenges — getting that first job will be more challenging for a humanities major than for a CS major. And the path to success requires a certain amount of nimbleness. But long-term there’s great career mobility and some really amazing opportunities that align very nicely with 21st century employers’ needs.

Here’s one interview: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=EK1UOyz80P0

For the record, I don’t know him and have zero stake in his book or his argument, but I happened to listen to an interview during a long drive and found it compelling enough that I immediately sought more interviews and eventually bought the book for DC.

My niece was an English major at NYU. She has always worked for STEM companies.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/

Harvard English: $49,675

Harvard CS: $256,539

Look at the enormous gap. Imagine why? LOL
Good luck with humanities majors in no name schools.

Your link doesn't go to this data. What are these amounts? Starting salary? After 5 years? I only ask because most of my fellow Humanities graduates went on to graduate school soon after graduation, which will pull down the average early career salary, while most CS majors go right to work. I will say that at 50, things don't look the same as they did when we were 25. Everyone who wants one has a job, most of them interesting and prestigious, but at many different income levels. Not all Humanities majors are poor and not all STEM majors are rich. Life is long and people make choices.

dp.. I think that's the point.. a lot of humanities majors go on to grad school in order to get a good paying job; CS, business, eng.. they don't have to do that. OP is asking what a humanities major just out of undergrad can do.

Most people on here replying are saying they make $$ as a humanities major, but how much were they making their first job out of undergrad? Statistics doesn't match what people are saying on here.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: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.

ESPECIALLY in an AI-driven world. AI is going to replace the coders, not the creatives.

uh no. I have seen AI create art (amazing btw), and write stuff. If AI can code, it can write some marketing blurb.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: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.

U
ESPECIALLY in an AI-driven world. AI is going to replace the coders, not the creatives.

AI will replace everyone. Creatives are being replaced in just as many numbers as any other field. Anyone who thinks one white collar job is safer than another will probably be the one replaced.

Tyler Perry put the kabash on a $400MM expansion because of AI as he needs fewer artists and writers and graphics folks.

The people that best know how to use AI are the safest.

Anonymous wrote:https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/

Harvard English: $49,675

Harvard CS: $256,539

Look at the enormous gap. Imagine why? LOL
Good luck with humanities majors in no name schools.

I work a lot with IPEDS data (the source of the college scorecard). It is important to note that college scorecard only includes data on students who receive federal financial aid. That means it is a large dataset but it doesn't include information on high SES graduates. Also, I couldn't replicate your findings for the two degrees cited. Are those salaries at the 10 year mark? Does it include those that went on to graduate school?

Anonymous wrote:https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/

Harvard English: $49,675

Harvard CS: $256,539

Look at the enormous gap. Imagine why? LOL
Good luck with humanities majors in no name schools.

Your link doesn't go to this data. What are these amounts? Starting salary? After 5 years? I only ask because most of my fellow Humanities graduates went on to graduate school soon after graduation, which will pull down the average early career salary, while most CS majors go right to work. I will say that at 50, things don't look the same as they did when we were 25. Everyone who wants one has a job, most of them interesting and prestigious, but at many different income levels. Not all Humanities majors are poor and not all STEM majors are rich. Life is long and people make choices.

Anonymous wrote:We are the majority.

We are everywhere.

Amazingly, the ability to analyze, synthesize, and communicate effectively in writing translates to success in many different environments.

That's part of the problems.
Easy majors and too much supply.

We are the majority.

We are everywhere.

Amazingly, the ability to analyze, synthesize, and communicate effectively in writing translates to success in many different environments.

Anonymous wrote:1/3 of global CEOs of Fortune 500 companies have liberal arts degrees.

A lot of those are economics tho

Economics is a good major unlike those humanities majors like English, communications, anthropology, etc. etc.

https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/

Harvard English: $49,675

Harvard CS: $256,539

Look at the enormous gap. Imagine why? LOL
Good luck with humanities majors in no name schools.

You can easily get a finance or banking job with a Math degree.

Lol could you imagine someone thinking a business degree is better.

Anonymous wrote:

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.

IYKYK

1/3 of global CEOs of Fortune 500 companies have liberal arts degrees.

A lot of those are economics tho

Anonymous wrote: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.

ESPECIALLY in an AI-driven world. AI is going to replace the coders, not the creatives.