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Choices, Choices, Choices...

Liberal Arts degrees give students the opportunity to work within their interests and take what they've done in the classroom and apply it to the working world. But some people are skeptical, with such an open concept approach to learning, how can you get a great job? Easy, take what you love and run with it.

Here's a few examples how you can take your liberal arts degree and kick it up a notch!


Yes, with a degree in Art History or Fine Arts, people might classify you into a certain set career, but don't let them! There's tons of great options where you can delve into many of your varied interests. For example you might be a fan of how mass communication works, why not think of a career in commercial art, marketing, graphic design or photography? Maybe you've got an interest in biology, or working with others, try thinking outside the box with careers such as art therapy or going into curating at a museum. These are just a few options, you can take your fine arts degree and apply the skills you've learned through attention to detail, creativity and artistry to many aspects of all sorts of careers.

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Sciences

So maybe you're sure that you won't become a doctor, but why not keep the sciences in mind? With a liberal arts degree in a science background, you have all you know about the science concentration, but with a background that is much more open minded. There are all sorts of careers in the health care industry in which you would be a great fir for. This could include working in the lab as an assistant, researcher or technologist. Also, science can be easily paired with writing as well. There are so many opportunities within science journalism, illustration and documentation of research and tests.

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English

Think a degree in English is going to land you a career as a teacher and that's as far as it goes? Think again. The writing and critical reading skills you can pick up with this degree are pretty endless. Ever think of journalism, or even advertising, publishing, law or even public relations? Why not put those writing skills to the test by debating, collaborating in a copy writing career? You can never been to prepared or savvy with the English language. If employers know you're good with words, they'll be lots of work for you. Everyone wants to sound professional, whether on a commercial level or something like a speech being given to a small conference. An English degree can go pretty far.


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Psychology

Psychology when paired with a number of interests truly shines. There are a whole bunch of psychology threads, including working with children, adults, in marriages, with other people and even with businesses to improve company psychology. You'll find more and more that people want to feel secure in their daily surroundings, whether this be on a personal level with their family, or in a group dynamic at work. Psychology sets up a great way to improve relations and lifestyles really between all sorts of parties, whether this be internally, or on a larger scale. Also, psychology can help you find a career in market research, clinical studies, advertising, ways of public relations and even marketing.

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International Languages

Foreign languages seem to be the glue in which holds all of these connections together. In our ever-changing world, it is important to note that the more languages you know, the more comfortable you will be in talking with people from all over in many different situations. Government careers are a wonderful option for graduates with this sort of background, especially in departments such as customs, and even the CIA or FBI. Translators are needed in many different industries including film production, publishing, tourism, service management as well as marketing. With this sort of degree, you can tell you'll be traveling a lot (in some cases) especially if you take a job for example as a flight attendant, or international translator where your skills will be needed in many different locations.

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Political Science

Politics might seem like a tough thing to just jump into. Unless you were a model UN member, well-known amongst the student body, have a former career set in Hollywood or an environmental book and movie as an "inconvenient truth", you may have a bit of climbing to do. But have no fear, you can look outside of the scope to just be a politician. You know how to debate, to think and write critically, to have a reason and opinion. So put it to use in journalism, non-profit work (something meaningful is always great for a career), business, teaching or even broadcasting and communications.

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Here's some quick tips on how to find even more great jobs relating to your liberal arts degree:

• Volunteer: Expand your interests, figure out what you love doing without payment, and see if you can make it into something you can get paid to do and love.

• Intern: Get right into the industry and see if it works for you, you'll meet people and start connections.

• Network: It's all about the people you know, never underestimate the power of friends, tell everyone you know that you've graduated and that you'll looking for an exciting job/career.

• Talk to your Profs: They'll know where a degree that they're teaching can take you

• Talk to Professionals: They've done it and are doing well, they can give you tips and tricks to achieve the same satisfaction

• Trust in Your Degree: You've been privileged to have such an open and interested filled education, use it as a diving board into career possibilities!

Have any other degrees and success stories? Share them below or in one of our discussions. How far has say, a communications degree taken someone? Or how a philosophy degree has gone father than the debate club?


References
Lorenz, Kate. CareerBuilder.com, "What can I do with a Liberal Arts Degree".