First, some facts. Of the Liberal Arts And Sciences graduates we've analyzed , here's how many have used (or NOT used) their degree in their career:
These are estimates based on AI analysis of 851 LinkedIn profiles (see below).
The verdict? Significantly below average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 55%, Liberal Arts And Sciences graduates have a much lower likelihood (-12%) of finding work in this field compared to the average graduate across all fields:
And for comparison, here's the chart for all profiles we've looked at across all degrees.
Also, after graduating, 36% of these graduates have pursued further education other than another Bachelor's degree (such as a Masters degree or other), compared to the average across all profiles of 35%. This suggests you may need more than just a Bachelors degree to be competitive as a Liberal Arts And Sciences graduate.
See the details:
Relevance score: 84%We think this person has gone into a career highly relevant to their degree.DEGREE INFOGraduated in 2010 from Centenary College of Louisiana with a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Liberal Arts And Sciences. No other secondary education since. JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATIONHealthy Living DirectorYMCA of Greater Houston Jun 2012 - Jul 2015 Assistant General Manager Equinox Aug 2015 - Jan 2016 General Manager Equinox Jan 2016 - Nov 2020 Regional Operations Training Manager Equinox Nov 2020 - Present ABOUTNo information provided. |
The top 10 most common jobs done by the graduates we've analyzed (ranked most common to least) are:
The analysis of job outcomes for individuals who graduated with degrees in Liberal Arts and Sciences reveals a diverse array of career paths. Many graduates have pursued jobs in education, human resources, healthcare, and creative fields, while some have taken roles in unrelated sectors. The role of education, particularly teaching, emerges prominently as a significant area of engagement for these graduates—highlighting the direct applicability of their academic background. Jobs such as teachers and counselors strongly utilize the skills acquired during their studies, embodying the principles of communication, critical thinking, and understanding human behavior that are essential in a Liberal Arts and Sciences framework.
On the other hand, numerous graduates have found themselves in professions where their Liberal Arts education has limited relevance. These include roles in technical operations, sales, and management within sectors such as finance, logistics, and retail. While some skills like communication, analytical thinking, and problem-solving are beneficial across various contexts, many of these positions do not demand the specific knowledge or competencies typically associated with a Liberal Arts education. For instance, roles such as bank tellers, delivery drivers, and administrative assistants focus more on operational tasks and customer service than on the critical themes learned through a Liberal Arts degree.
In summary, while many graduates from Liberal Arts and Sciences programs find highly relevant and fulfilling roles—particularly in education and community service—others may end up in positions where the connection to their academic training is tenuous. This disparity underscores the importance for students in University programs to consider career trajectories and seek experiences (like internships and relevant electives) that can bridge their educational knowledge with practical application in the workforce.
Here is a visual representation of the most common words in job titles for Liberal Arts And Sciences graduates:
Analyzing the career trajectories of graduates with a degree in Liberal Arts and Sciences reveals a mixed bag of outcomes, with many individuals finding their footing in fields related to education, social services, and various professional roles, while others have taken less conventional paths. For many of these graduates, the first jobs post-graduation often align with their area of study, especially in educational settings, administrative roles, or related fields. Over time, there's a noticeable trend: while some find success and stability in their chosen careers, others pivot or struggle to stay connected to their liberal arts background.
In terms of initial employment, many graduates land positions such as teachers, administrative assistants, and support staff. For example, a significant number appear to have entered roles in education, such as becoming classroom teachers or substitute teachers shortly after their graduation. This shows a tendency among liberal arts graduates to commence their careers in familiar or closely related fields, leveraging skills they honed during their studies. Five or ten years later, we can see that some individuals continue in the education sector and elevate their roles to more senior positions, like becoming curriculum coordinators or administrative directors, while others branch out into entirely different areas, suggesting a degree of adaptability that liberal arts training often fosters.
However, not all graduate paths reflect direct relevance to their fields of study. Some graduates find themselves in realms like sales, marketing, and even technical roles, which may not directly utilize the liberal arts principles they studied. Graduates taking on roles such as recruiters, coordinators, or other operational positions illustrate a broader application of their education. It’s important to recognize that many individuals have navigated various careers, sometimes outside the traditional scope of their degree, showing that the skills acquired in liberal arts can be versatile and broadly applicable. However, the question remains: are these trajectories ultimately fulfilling or financially rewarding compared to other fields like STEM? That is where some liberal arts graduates might feel left adrift.
To summarize, the career trajectories of liberal arts and sciences graduates often reflect a balance of initial relevant employment within education or supportive roles, with a distinct growth towards multifaceted paths as they progress in their careers. While some excel and align closely with their studies, others seem to float away from their education into sectors that may or may not reflect their degree, leading to a diverse, albeit sometimes scattered range of career outcomes. So, if you're thinking about pursuing a liberal arts degree, know that your journey may be winding, with plenty of opportunities that may not fit in a traditional box but could be just as fulfilling.
A Bachelor’s degree in Liberal Arts and Sciences can be a pretty mixed bag in terms of difficulty, and it often depends on what you’re studying and how you approach it. Generally speaking, it might be seen as easier than some other majors like engineering or hard sciences, mainly because it covers a broad range of subjects and often emphasizes critical thinking and communication skills over technical ones. However, don’t underestimate it! If you really dive into topics like philosophy or advanced literature, those can get pretty challenging. Ultimately, if you’re passionate about learning and enjoy exploring different ideas, you might find it engaging and manageable, but it’s not a walk in the park either! Just be ready to put in some effort and keep an open mind.
Most commonly, in the LinkedIn profiles we've looked at, it takes people 4 years to finish a Bachelor degree in Liberal Arts And Sciences.
When looking at the career paths of these Liberal Arts and Sciences graduates, it's a mixed bag in terms of financial success. Some individuals have climbed into decent salaries and managerial roles, especially those in education, healthcare, and government positions, which tend to have stable pay and benefits. For example, you see graduates working as teachers, managers in various fields, and even in significant government positions, which usually indicates a solid income stream. However, many graduates are still in earlier career stages, in entry-level roles, or frequently in substitute teaching positions, which typically don't pay as much. This suggests that while some have made good money post-graduation, others may still be working their way up the ladder and could be earning modest salaries.
Overall, the prospects seem promising for many of these graduates, especially those in steady fields like education and human services. However, the financial situation can vary widely depending on the specific roles they've landed in and the industries they are part of. At the end of the day, it’s vital to remember that while a Liberal Arts and Sciences degree can set a solid foundation for a career, individual journeys will influence how much money they ultimately make.
Here is a visual representation of the most common words seen in the "about" section of LinkedIn profiles who have a Bachelor degree in Liberal Arts And Sciences. This may or may not be useful:
Here are all colleges offering a Bachelor degree in Liberal Arts And Sciences (ordered by the average relevance score of their Liberal Arts And Sciences graduates, best to worst) where we have analyzed at least 10 of their graduates:
College | Score | Count |
---|---|---|
Fresno Pacific University | 89 | 10 |
California State University - East Bay | 77 | 10 |
Sonoma State University | 73 | 11 |
California State Polytechnic University-Pomona | 71 | 10 |
California State University, Fresno | 66 | 13 |
Florida International University | 61 | 16 |
California State University San Marcos | 58 | 10 |
Arizona State University | 52 | 15 |
Portland State University | 48 | 14 |
Excelsior College | 47 | 46 |
Thomas Edison State University | 44 | 16 |