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Choosing a Liberal Arts Degree: Things to Consider
Many people see college as a time to train for a job in a specific field, such as accounting or law. Others see it as a time to expand their knowledge in a more general sense, pursuing a degree in a field such as history, literature or philosophy. People in the former camp often argue that a liberal arts degree is impractical; people in the latter camp often argue that the university years should primarily be a time for learning, not vocational training. If you are considering pursuing a liberal arts degree, there are a few things to consider.
Cost
What you pay for your education should be a factor but perhaps not exactly in the way that you think. For example, you might assume that if your degree is an area that will allow you to make a lot of money, you should aim for an expensive college while if you are pursuing a degree in something like history you should not. There are a few problems with this line of thinking.
First, you may be able to get an education at a lower-cost state school that is as good or better what you would receive at a private university. Furthermore, scholarships and grants might pay for a significant part of an expensive education. Cost does not have to be a barrier even if you want to go to a pricier school and study literature. Keep in mind that you can take out loans from multiple lenders and look into consolidation later on after graduation. Student loan consolidation may lower your interest rate, your monthly payment, or both.
Your Career Plan
Liberal arts degrees really do teach a number of important soft skills, including writing and critical thinking.
These skills can be excellent preparation for working in such fields as law, politics, journalism and even business.
If you aren't yet entirely sure what you want to do with your life, a liberal arts degree is an opportunity to spend a few years studying a subject you love while giving yourself the flexibility to pursue a number of different careers. You might want to join some student organizations and try to get an internship to give you some practical experience alongside your coursework. Of course, there are also situations in which a liberal arts degree is a perfect match for your career path. For example, art history could prepare you to work in a museum.
Personal Fulfillment
Some people worry that what they see as an impractical degree is going to be a waste, but studying something
you love can set you on a lifelong path to fulfillment.
While it's true that accounting may be more practical than French, with the latter degree, you might start off teaching, move into translating and eventually land a job in Paris, all things you might never have the opportunity for if you were crunching numbers in an office somewhere. A liberal arts degree isn't for everyone, but if there is a subject you truly have a passion for, it can offer a path to both personal fulfillment and career satisfaction.
Cost
What you pay for your education should be a factor but perhaps not exactly in the way that you think. For example, you might assume that if your degree is an area that will allow you to make a lot of money, you should aim for an expensive college while if you are pursuing a degree in something like history you should not. There are a few problems with this line of thinking.
First, you may be able to get an education at a lower-cost state school that is as good or better what you would receive at a private university. Furthermore, scholarships and grants might pay for a significant part of an expensive education. Cost does not have to be a barrier even if you want to go to a pricier school and study literature. Keep in mind that you can take out loans from multiple lenders and look into consolidation later on after graduation. Student loan consolidation may lower your interest rate, your monthly payment, or both.
Your Career Plan
Liberal arts degrees really do teach a number of important soft skills, including writing and critical thinking.
These skills can be excellent preparation for working in such fields as law, politics, journalism and even business.
If you aren't yet entirely sure what you want to do with your life, a liberal arts degree is an opportunity to spend a few years studying a subject you love while giving yourself the flexibility to pursue a number of different careers. You might want to join some student organizations and try to get an internship to give you some practical experience alongside your coursework. Of course, there are also situations in which a liberal arts degree is a perfect match for your career path. For example, art history could prepare you to work in a museum.
Personal Fulfillment
Some people worry that what they see as an impractical degree is going to be a waste, but studying something
you love can set you on a lifelong path to fulfillment.
While it's true that accounting may be more practical than French, with the latter degree, you might start off teaching, move into translating and eventually land a job in Paris, all things you might never have the opportunity for if you were crunching numbers in an office somewhere. A liberal arts degree isn't for everyone, but if there is a subject you truly have a passion for, it can offer a path to both personal fulfillment and career satisfaction.