By Vicki Salemi
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But guess what? Besides making you really great at trivia and random conversation, experts and successful professionals are attributing a well-rounded background in liberal arts to the successful development of integral business skills like critical thinking, writing, and oral presentation.
"Anecdotal evidence suggests CEOs often prefer well-rounded individuals in their work force and in leadership positions," says Joseph J. Wydeven, Ph.D. and dean of Bellevue University's College of Arts and Sciences (Bellevue, NE), which recently launched a cluster of online courses featuring classic literature and great thinkers.
A similar background energizes Paul Battista. This Dickinson College alumni (Carlisle, Penn.) is a film producer and founding partner of MindFusion Law, an entertainment law firm. The former economics major attests the rigorous Dickinson curriculum forced him out of a comfort zone to challenge established points of views, as well as his own preconceived notions. It's that very strategy that's given him an edge when dealing with clients.
"Two primary skills my liberal arts education has fostered is the ability to listen and the ability to understand the subtle means of communication. the classic ability to listen between the lines," he explains.
Arthur Rothkopf, president of Lafayette College (Easton, PA), agrees. An alum of Lafayette himself, Rothkopf explains, "In both good and difficult economic times, organizations that hire Lafayette graduates place the highest value on critical-thinking, communication, and teamwork skills. The hallmark of a liberal arts education is helping students develop these abilities."
While discussing Shakespeare or impressionist paintings doesn't purport to give you hands-on knowledge like professional training will, experts say the appeal of liberal arts skills is their transferability across subjects and ultimately across various careers. According to Robert Manuel, associate dean of New York University's School of Continuing and Professional Studies, taking diverse courses is key to developing a well-rounded education.
"These courses broaden students' awareness of the world and provide environments in which real and far-reaching logical reasoning and critical thinking can be explored," he explains. In recognizing the demand for such coursework, NYU Online is launching a B.A. in social sciences this fall.
Still aren't buying it (after all, academes will always tout the usefulness of an education, right?)? Perhaps Catherine Herrick, associate producer of 60 Minutes and Middlebury College alumna (Middlebury, VT), will convince you.
"When we report a story, we must be able to shape it in an interesting and creative way while always sticking to the facts," she says. As the story develops, Catherine explains how she relies on critical thinking skills to deliver clear, concise, and creative writing into a polished presentation to millions of viewers.
"Journalism is really an extension of a liberal arts education where we went from Art History to American Politics with the same curiosity, energy, and passion. Now I go from story to story with those same things driving me."
It's such on-the-job application of cultural literacy knowledge that put liberal arts majors at an advantage, explains Jennifer A. Horowitz, creator of the series, What Can You Do with a Major in. (Wiley Publishing, 2005). "If your major required you to do a lot of writing, you can bring those skills to all kinds of jobs, even if you end up dealing with fuel consumption or computer sales instead of medieval art or child psychology."
Kevin King, another Middlebury alumnus, utilizes his transferable skills on a daily basis. As legislative assistant to Senator Mike DeWine of Ohio, Kevin recalls negotiations between the House and Senate regarding a firefighting bill. During the meeting, staffers articulated their points in a quick, persuasive manner. "The environment was strikingly similar to classroom discussions; it was nice to have had some practice," he explains.
Lafayette alumna and attorney Wynne Whitman applies her undergraduate experience not only inside the conference room, but outside as well. Wynne notes having a well-versed background parlays into the art of conversation at various functions such as corporate fundraisers. Wynne earned an MBA in corporate finance and LLM in tax yet frequently taps into her undergraduate education where she double-majored in economics and art history.
Whitman puts it plain and simple: "A liberal arts education opens your mind to different aspects of life and society and how they weave together."
Or, as Hamlet would say, "Therein lies the rub."
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