What Can I do with a Liberal Arts Degree?
The first answer to this question is "Anything you want." There really is no end to what you can do with a degree in the Liberal Arts. But if you are tired of hearing that you can do anything, take a look at some of the current openings for Liberal Arts majors. These are just a few examples of what you can do!
| Jobs for Liberal Arts Graduates | Graduate/Professional Schools |
|---|---|
| Community educator/advocate | Medicine |
| Employment specialist | Law School |
| Program coordinator | Business School |
| Lab Technicians | Dentistry |
| Historian/Historical Preservation planner | Pharmacy |
| Teach English Abroad | Library Studies |
| Chemistry Lab coordinators | Museum Studies |
| Research Scientists | Public Affairs |
| Foreign Service | other graduate programs |
| Entertainers/performers | |
| Mathmaticians/satisticians |
Some Famous Liberal Arts Graduates
- Jill Barad, former CEO of Mattel, Inc--English and Psychology
- Ellen Bravo, co-director of National Association of Working Women--Greek and Latin Literature
- Carol Browner, former director of the Environmental Protection Agency--English
- Bruce W. Dunlevie, co-founder of venture capital firm, Benchmark--English
- John F. Kennedy, 35th president of the United States--History
- Brian Lamb, CEO of C-Span--Speech and Communication
- Sally Ride, astronaut and first woman in space--English
- Harold Varmus, Nobel laureate in medicine and president and CEO of the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center--English
- Christopher Meloni, actor, Law and Order SVU--History, from CUBoulder.
What do employers value about a liberal arts education?
A liberal arts education is a place where you can build and launch your career. According to several national surveys, major employers tend to look for the right skills rather than the right major. What are the "right" skills? According to the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE), employers put the following at the top of their collective list:
- Written and verbal communication skills
- Honesty and integrity
- Teamwork skills
- The ability to solve complex problems
- The readiness to adapt in a changing workplace
These transferable skills, i.e. skills employees take with them to any job, are characteristic of a liberal arts education.
An AT&T survey also found that liberal arts majors advanced more quickly to management positions than those with other degrees. The research reflects what many employers already know - that a liberal arts education prepares graduates to become employees with the skills necessary for success.
This is your education: Make the most of your time at UCD
Take classes that challenge and inform- Attend guest lectures, plays and other activities
- Visit science exhibits and art exhibits
- Join clubs and student groups
- Explore opportunities
- Internship, study abroad, field experiences, undergraduate research
- Your education experience should involve both classroom and social activities
- Co-curricular and extra-curricular activities are part of the whole educational experience.
- Have fun!
