Many degree programs allow you to visualize exactly what you will do when you graduate. If you earn a degree in accounting or computer science, for example, it is pretty easy to guess what field you plan to enter. Liberal arts degrees are different. While philosophy, sociology, and many other offerings are interesting, it can be hard to picture what your future would hold if you earn a degree in one of those fields. A liberal arts degree prepares you for a range of career opportunities. You may find you are a very attractive candidate for a career in business after graduation.
Follow Your Interests
College prepares you for the future, but it is important to enjoy the process. If you are interested in following an educational path that leads you toward liberal arts, don’t worry about where you will find a job once you graduate. Liberal arts graduates learn many skills that make them valuable to employers.
Most people take out at least some student loans when they earn their undergrad degrees. Focusing your education on something you enjoy and find compelling makes taking out those loans a straightforward decision. It can be difficult to motivate yourself to finance school expenses when your area of study is not something you enjoy and not something you can imagine doing in the future. During your college years, focus on the experience.
Experiment with Internships
One way to get an idea of what type of work you may enjoy once you graduate is to intern at various companies. Your college will probably have programs in place to help place you in internships. Let the school know you are interested and take advantage of any offerings available. When you are in school, it can be challenging to see how everything fits together. You may feel you aren’t learning anything relevant to a career and that you will graduate without the needed skills.
Internships help ease that anxiety. The company hosting the internship knows you are a student and does not expect you to know everything. They will have jobs they need you to do, and in exchange, you will start to understand how the business works. While internships provide no guarantees, many companies extend employment offers to interns whom they are impressed with during the internship period.
Showcase Your Strengths
Once you graduate, you will probably be anxious to enter the working world. While it may be tempting to dismiss your liberal arts degree, don’t sell yourself short. There are many skills you picked up over the previous four years that are beneficial to potential employers.
Attributes such as strong communication skills, the ability to think analytically about situations, the ability to pick up new skills quickly, and strong research and information gathering skills are all standard for liberal arts graduates. These same skills are often lacking in individuals who spent their college career focusing on more technical-minded pursuits. Knowing your value and understanding how your skills benefit potential employers is important. Be confident in your skills and resourcefulness, as this will shine through during the interview process.
