Apply liberally

Students should explore all academic choices

In this high-tech age, one would expect engineering or business majors to monopolize well paying jobs. But recent studies by the National Association of Colleges and Employers show that this is not necessarily the case. The job market has extensive new opportunities for liberal arts graduates. Consequently, University students shouldn't feel pressured to choose a major early in their college careers because all types of majors have available markets.

Students often feel pressured to find a major that has a high starting salary. This often forces a first- or second-year student to choose the engineering or business path. Many students are genuinely interested in these fields and should pursue them with gusto. At the University, a high starting salary is almost guaranteed upon graduation from these nationally renowned programs. A liberal arts degree may have appeared too general and not inclusive of the skills necessary to perform in the corporate world.

Liberal arts graduates may not possess specific computer programming or profit analysis skills, but they acquire other abilities that could be valuable for the entire job market. The abilities to write well, communicate, organize and interact with people are all at the core of an effective liberal arts education. These qualities will assist job applicants no matter what field they pursue.

In addition, a person not excited about business or engineering need not pursue such a major solely for the long-term money. Upon entering the University, students should take courses because they excite them - not because they fulfill prerequisites to a major. There is a broad range of educational opportunities here, and students should explore all sorts of possibilities. They can do this without worrying if they will be prepared to get a job when they leave.

It is not the major per se that lands people desired jobs. Their own efforts in finding the job and working productively will be the most valuable asset in the long run. While a corporate employer will need to spend more time training an art history major than they would a business school graduate, the University degree will help prove such a candidate is indeed trainable. Thus the degree itself without considering major can be seen as a major asset. Additionally, liberal arts students will find that many technology or corporate employers want more than just engineering or business majors for certain tasks. Employers may target analytical writing or organization skills. Religion or psychology majors as well as business majors may possess these talents. It is unfair for students to feel so pressured at such a young age. Rather, they should find the fields that they really enjoy and pursue them.

10-13-99