While the liberal arts field often gets a bad rap in terms of job opportunities, many who have graduated in it say it is a versatile choice of major.
When Amanda Phillips graduated high school, she was conflicted as to what she would do in college. She had taken Advanced Placement courses in both Chemistry and English during her senior year, and discovered a passion for both subjects.
Phillips says she didn’t know what to choose for most of her senior year. While she listed Chemistry as her major in most of her college applications, a last minute conversation with her English teacher swayed her in another direction.
“When I thought about it, I realized English teaches the whole person.”
Currently in her junior year at Stonehill College, Phillips has gotten involved with writing in a variety of ways beyond what her major requires. In her sophomore year she had multiple works published in a local newspaper, and she is currently a tutor for the Center for Writing & Academic Achievement.
“Tutoring has been a very transformative experience,” said Phillips. “It makes you think about writing in a different way. It’s not about creating the ‘perfect paper,’ but learning how to identify weak points.”
Phillips does not have a specific plan in regards to what comes after college. Whether she chooses to pursue writing further, Phillips said she wants to start a food business. She believes the skills she has acquired in her major will give her the upper hand in the business world.
“Being able to communicate is so rare,” Phillips said. “Not only does English build confidence, but it also makes you adaptable.”
Some incoming freshmen are hesitant to graduate with only broad skills such as these. Lianne Ureneck, freshman at Worcester Polytechnic Institute, had a similar conflict as Phillips. Disputing between Biomedical Engineering and English, Ureneck eventually chose the former.
“I know I’d get a better job with an engineering degree. I could still incorporate English with a minor, and I’d be less worried about the future.”
Hannah Bailey, who will be attending her first semester of college in the spring, says she would not simply “jump into” an English major.
“I’ve considered English, and if it was my passion I would go for it, but it’s something I would have to be sure of,” said Bailey.
This hesitation appears to be growing throughout the United States. According to a study of the University of Maryland, their English department lost 88 majors in Spring 2012, and 128 more majors 12 months later. Between Spring and Fall 2014, 66 more majors left the program.
However, there are those who have utilized the liberal arts degree in their favor. Elizabeth Hughes, now an English teacher at Plymouth North High School, said she realized her passion while reenacting history.
“I taught history at Plymouth Plantation. When you reenact, you are teaching as an act—you must learn how to share information in a way that is accurate, but doesn’t hurt others.”
Following this experience, Hughes attended Simmons College and earned a Bachelor’s in English and Master’s in teaching. She graduated college with over $100,000 in loans.
Hughes said she is not the type who enjoys hanging onto things—especially debt.
“If I can’t drop everything and do something, I’m stressed out,” said Hughes. “But I knew this time I had to buckle down, and believe it was right to follow this passion.”
It took about eight years for Hughes to pay off her college loans. During that time, she said she lived a minimalist lifestyle—living at home, spending as little as possible, and even borrowing cars and hitchhiking—but said her commitment got her through it.
Hughes said she is aware of the growing apprehension of students pursuing liberal arts.
“Guidance counselors discourage liberal arts in this building. It’s well-intentioned of course, because of college costs these days.”
Well into her career, Hughes has a house, a car, and said she couldn’t be happier doing what she does today. She said she is grateful, but getting where is today was a matter of hard work.
“Students have to pursue what they want to do, even if that requires them to leave the traditional model,” said Hughes. “Otherwise, whose life are they living?”
Phillips, who is now almost halfway through her junior year, seems to embrace the same philosophy.
“It’s your own voice and your own creative mission,” said Phillips. “The person that you become is not something a job can turn away.”
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