The number of arts and humanities majors has been decreasing since the 1980s due to some universities and colleges cutting program funding or cutting the programs completely.
It comes as no surprise that the arts and humanities are becoming obsolete in a technology and science focused world.
Before I attempt to convince you of how great these programs are and how beneficial they are to students around the globe, I must disclose that I am a philosophy major.
After long debates, I changed my major from a more science-focused field to philosophy. I love my current major and the things I learn from it. Arts and humanities majors face a lot when it comes to deciding what field they want to go into, and their work is just as hard as STEM fields.
For example, a student majoring in music must constantly stress over music theory exams, performances, and preparation for upcoming events. This is no easy feat. Likewise, for art majors who have to spend hours digitally enhancing, editing, or drawing out and planning their medium, they spend an agonizing long time doing so.
Why are the humanities and art departments decreasing in popularity? Robert B Townsend, director of the Washington office of the American Academy of Arts & Sciences, claims, “widespread speculation about a cultural environment that pushes students toward majors with obvious professional outcomes.”
Students want jobs after college. The society and culture we live in tells us that STEM fields provide the most rewarding financial outcome after college.
However, humanities majors do pretty well for themselves after college. A study done from the Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce analysis finds history majors make approximately $54k a year, with the lowest humanities major being theology making $43k a year.
This amount of pay is pretty good considering how hard it is to find jobs in certain fields. Humanities majors are also happier in their jobs, with a Gallup poll finding that seventy-five percent of humanities and arts employees are happy with their work.
This is not to discredit STEM employees. I’m sure a lot of them are happy in their jobs as well. The fact stands though that humanities and art majors are very happy in their field. The arts and humanities also teach valuable life skills that are needed in any area of the job market. Skills such as critical thinking, imagination, creativity, improvisation, and more.
These skills are ones that every employer looks for in their future hires. Overall, majoring in the arts and humanities seems like a good choice.
They are paid well, happy in their jobs, and gain valuable skills that can help them through life. This is not saying change your major to the arts and humanities.
If you like STEM fields and that is what you’re passionate about, go for it! But next time you look at someone working on their history report in the library, do not laugh at them and think they have no future.
For everyone attending SXU, the future is bright.
Emily Rubino
Opinions Editor