By Donovan Macias
macid14@mail.broward.edu
The necessity of the arts, humanities, communication, and design is a frequently debated topic, with many critics referring to these areas as “useless” or a “dead end.” Many others, however, believe that these subjects are crucial to any society; historical and present.
Before the revolutionary periods of the late eighteenth to early twentieth century, science, technology, engineering, and mathematics all saw great strides. It was the more artistic field that largely captured the respect of millions. For a long time, there was little knowledge of the world, and, as a result, people were led to believe that what they already knew was all it had to offer. The Earth was the solar system’s center, the planet was flat, there were only several dozen chemical elements, and natural disasters were a form of punishment by the gods. Once these types of nonsensical theories were disproven, it sparked a desire to learn as much as possible about anything and everything. With time, technical topics began to overshadow the arts.
A keyway to explain this is through pattern recognition. When a person thinks of a liberal arts school, they often mention Harvard, Yale, or Boston College; which were founded between the years 1636 and 1870. When asked about STEM or STEM-focused establishments, people frequently responded with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Stanford, or Johns Hopkins University. These additional universities were founded between 1861 and 1891. It is important to note that the California Institute of Technology was formed under the name Throop University; it was not until 1920 when the school was renamed to its current name, signaling the shift from a world appreciative of liberal arts education to a world in which the new age of STEM is equally, if not more, desired.
A common reason why students seem to distance their careers and specialties from liberal arts is because in many situations it shows how the older generations became so enamored with technology; they discarded what they used to value. These concerns are not invalid. In fact, they could not be more accurate. The New York Times reported that young workers who majored in engineering, computer science, or related fields outearned graduates from liberal arts backgrounds of the same age by roughly 37%. Furthermore, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics stated that STEM jobs are predicted to grow by nearly 9%, compared to 3.7% for non-STEM occupations.
With the odds stacked against those who may choose a path that appears to be increasingly unorthodox and unreliable, millions wonder if there is a way to have your cake and eat it, too. There is heavy skepticism around financial success (which influences virtually every factor of one’s life) being achieved in a subject related to arts, humanities, and similar divisions. Broward College offers degrees in numerous art forms like graphic design and fine arts, as well as degrees in English, communication, journalism, and philosophy. While some see the career prospects for these studies as bleak and unsatisfactory, there are countless ways to utilize them for a life of success.
The CEO of American Express majored in history and credited his background in his current work. In addition, Toni Morrison used her bachelor’s and master’s degree in English to become one of the most prominent writers of her time. At the time of her death in 2019, she had an estimated net worth of twenty million dollars and had sold millions of copies of her novels. Her 1987 book, Beloved, was turned into a film in 1988, and that same year, she won the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction for that same novel. In 1993, Morrison was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature, followed by the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2012.
For those seeking a more traditional path in life, liberal arts degrees open the door to a variety of careers, including marketing, public relations, human resources, technical writing, government, media, and finance. Liberal arts majors are also able to break into the world of business, politics, and law, showcasing that as needed as STEM is, arts, humanities, communication, and design are also routes one can take to secure a positive future.
Politicians like Former Presidents Barack Obama, Bill Clinton, Joseph Biden, and George H.W. Bush all have a degree in political science or economics, both of which fall under the liberal arts umbrella term as opposed to STEM. Presidential candidates Hillary Clinton and Al Gore (both of whom won the popular vote in their respective elections) also have a background in liberal arts.
Staff and faculty members at Broward College’s three campuses dedicate the proper time, instruction, and advice necessary to pursue pathways related to liberal arts, with 94% of alumni reporting job placement one year after graduation. After finishing an associates in arts, students can build upon their skillsets by obtaining a bachelor’s degree at other institutions or by staying at Broward College, which is ranked as a top ten community college nationwide. Pupils can utilize the Center for Employment Solutions and Career Development to enhance their chances of success, especially in a volatile field like arts and humanities. Connecting with past Broward College graduates is a successful way to construct a proper network designed to help you move through the motions of life as smoothly and orderly as possible.