As this year’s graduating seniors near the height of their senioritis, they also begin their college preparations. Perhaps their most overriding concern among seniors is that of majors. Whether it involves psychology or theology, microbiology or microfinance, classics or electrical engineering, the decision is momentous.
Perhaps the most heated discussion regarding college majors is the age-old liberal arts vs. STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) debate. Many have adopted a societal stigma which deems English-related majors as “doomed,” claiming that they are risky in the increasingly competitive modern job market, preferring instead more reliable, secure engineering paths. Indeed, the anxiety has already permeated to the junior class. Oliver Tang, ’15, is one such individual who plans to concentrate in math and science departments. He expresses, “Apart from always preferring math and science, my main concern is with life after college and a STEM major seems to provide the most secure future.”
Society’s stigma has its foundation in truth. Undoubtedly, there are more job openings for
STEM related fields than for liberal arts related fields; quite simply, there is a higher demand for computer programmers and financial analysts than for communications managers and speech writers. While the incomes for the aforementioned jobs all verge on the same ballpark, the sheer prevalence of STEM occupations paints it as a more lucrative field.
However, while an English major may make the employment search more difficult, someone who gets a liberal arts degree is far from “doomed.” Ridge’s AP Literature and Honors British Literature teacher, Dr. Thorpe, articulates that a degree in the liberal arts “is invaluable in the modern world. A liberal arts education develops skills essential for success in all careers—expressing oneself clearly and concisely, and reading critically.”
Ultimately, any degree, regardless of nature or subject, holds an intrinsic value. Any degree is
viable is the modern workplace, and a liberal arts degree is no different, much less “doomed.” So if you are a humanities buff, don’t feel the need to dive into engineering just because “that’s where the money is.” The critical thinking skills gleaned from a liberal arts degree are essential to preparing for life in the long run.