Degrees
Colleges
About
First, some facts. Of the Liberal Arts and Sciences Studies and Humanities 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 104 LinkedIn profiles (see below).
The verdict? Significantly below average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 50%, Liberal Arts and Sciences Studies and Humanities graduates have a much lower likelihood (-17%) 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, 42% 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 Studies and Humanities graduate.
See the details:
|
Relevance score: 50% We think this person has gone into a career only somewhat relevant to their degree.
DEGREE INFOGraduated in 2010 from Excelsior College with a Bachelor's Degree in Liberal Arts and Sciences Studies and Humanities. No other secondary education since. JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATIONIndependent Business Owner Ambassador Express Courier Service Apr 2017 - Present ABOUTNo information provided. |
The top 10 most common jobs done by the graduates we've analyzed (ranked most common to least) are:
When we look at the job trajectories of individuals who have completed degrees in Liberal Arts and Sciences Studies and Humanities, some interesting trends emerge. It seems that while many of these graduates find positions that align with their skills and knowledge, there's also a significant number who take on roles that don’t necessarily reflect the core competencies they acquired during their studies. In general, the most common types of jobs include positions in education, creative fields, customer service, and administrative roles. Teaching jobs, especially those focusing on humanities and social sciences, appear to be quite relevant to their academic background, allowing them to utilize their understanding of critical thinking, cultural analysis, and interpersonal skills.
For instance, educators, especially those teaching subjects like English and Humanities, directly apply the skills they learned, engaging with students through discussions on literature and critical thought. Similarly, roles in arts and creative direction also align closely with the liberal arts curriculum, where graduates can tap into their training in visual communication and creative problem-solving. However, it's noteworthy that many individuals move into sectors like customer service or technical support, which might rely more on general interpersonal skills rather than the specialized knowledge from their degree. Many technical or sales roles emphasize practical, logistical skills over the theoretical constructs typically explored in liberal arts studies, such as critical thinking and social theory.
Moreover, positions like law clerks or paralegals, while more aligned with liberal arts, demonstrate how a humanities background can lead to significant roles in the legal profession. Yet, there are also a number of roles that do not utilize the skills developed in a liberal arts education, such as ones in technical support or various retail positions, which focus on operational requirements rather than humanities-based competencies. Overall, while there are plenty of jobs that leverage the humanities skills effectively, there’s still a noticeable portion of the workforce not fully aligned with the knowledge and advantages a liberal arts degree can offer. This draws attention to the broader question of job markets today and how they value different skill sets between practical industry roles and the critical, analytical skills imbued in liberal arts education.
Here is a visual representation of the most common words in job titles for Liberal Arts and Sciences Studies and Humanities graduates:
When we look at the career paths of graduates with degrees in Liberal Arts and Sciences Studies and Humanities, we see a pretty mixed bag. Right after graduation, many of them seem to take on jobs that don’t really reflect the skills they might have developed during their studies. For instance, some have started off in customer service roles or support positions, which can feel a bit disconnected from the idealized vision of diving straight into a career that aligns with their academic training. If we look at first jobs, we often see titles like Customer Care Advocate or even Technical Support roles, which suggest that graduates are landing work that may not directly capitalize on their major but still provides them with valuable experience in communication and problem-solving.
Fast forward five or ten years, and the situation varies quite a bit. Some graduates manage to pivot into more relevant or fulfilling roles. For instance, we notice that a few who started in more administrative or support roles eventually transitioned into positions like human resources, law, or education, reflecting a more traditional trajectory suited for their backgrounds. However, others seem to remain stuck in roles that have little to do with what they studied in college. It's also notable that a good number of individuals have taken up teaching positions, which is great for those with a passion for education, but it does raise questions about the broader job market for humanities graduates. It’s like there’s a bell curve—some find success in fulfilling careers, while others meander through a series of unrelated jobs.
In the grand scheme of things, while there are definitely success stories, it's important to recognize that many liberal arts graduates face challenges in aligning their careers with their education. The type of work they end up doing can often reflect the broader trends in the job market, which tends to value hard skills that may not always be emphasized in more theoretical or creative fields. So, while some graduates have carved out successful paths in areas related to their degrees, a substantial number end up in roles that don’t quite resonate with the essence of their studies, which can be a bit disheartening for anyone considering a degree in the humanities.
A Bachelor’s degree in Liberal Arts and Sciences Studies and Humanities typically sits somewhere in the middle in terms of difficulty. It’s not like you’re trying to solve complex engineering problems every day, but it also requires a lot of critical thinking, reading, and writing. You'll have to engage with a variety of subjects like philosophy, history, and literature, which can be pretty demanding if you’re not into deep discussions and analyzing texts. If you're someone who enjoys exploring big ideas and different perspectives, you might find it more enjoyable than challenging. So, overall, it can be a mix of easier and harder things, depending on your interests and strengths!
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 Studies and Humanities.
Taking a peek at these LinkedIn profiles, it looks like some of these graduates are quite well off, while others seem to be scraping by. For instance, the grad from New School University who worked as a Senior Art Director at Macy’s and now freelances at Bloomindale's likely makes a decent salary, given those positions tend to bring in good money in the creative field. On the other hand, the Florida State grad just starting in customer care roles might not be raking in much cash yet, and the teaching positions we see for some other grads often come with lower pay compared to other fields. Overall, it really varies: some nailed high-paying gigs, while others are still climbing the ladder or might be in roles that don't offer much financially.
It’s also clear that degrees from certain universities can lead to more lucrative positions; for example, graduates from prestigious institutions or specialized fields like engineering or healthcare often land better-paying jobs more quickly. Meanwhile, some folks pursuing paths in education or social services have jobs that are fulfilling but typically less financially rewarding. So yeah, it really comes down to the specific career path, the university, and a bit of luck in the job market. Just make sure you’re chasing what you love—money isn’t everything, but it sure can help!
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 Studies and Humanities. This may or may not be useful:
Here are all colleges offering a Bachelor degree in Liberal Arts and Sciences Studies and Humanities (ordered by the average relevance score of their Liberal Arts and Sciences Studies and Humanities graduates, best to worst) where we have analyzed at least 10 of their graduates: