ALT-2 Careers the best Paths for Liberal Arts Majors
Unfortunately, our society for so many years have viewed a liberal arts major as people who are somewhat wanderers, unsure of themselves, or have very little aspiration for a true career path. We all know that the first thing people always ask a college student is what are you studying? What are going to be? For that liberal arts person, they may feel uncomfortable, somewhat uneasy with this line of questioning because for them they like variety, having many options, and do not want to be nailed to the coffin. The flexibility of what life offers is their mojo.
But something has to be decided. Some path down that yellow brick road beyond Oz is essential. Where do the liberals go? They go toward self-satisfaction, a place that embraces options. Therefore, the best career path for liberal arts majors is government, community service, public relations, and the non-profit sector.
In government, the playing field is wide open, diverse, secure, comfortable to move around in as you develop different niches, great retirement package (no Enron here), and as of late seems to welcome college graduates' eagerness to streamline waste and inefficiency. If you continue to improve your skills, making yourself a high commodity, go to graduate school combine with strong work experience by not pissing off that government worker who has no degree and been on the job thirty-five years (do not underestimate their power), you might find yourself in a small amount of time a Director. Not bad for a liberal arts major.
Community service and the non-profit sector is great for all the liberals who want to make a difference, who still have the heart to believe in something worth while besides America's materialistic obsession. Now, of course parents steered their children away from this area out of fear that they'll never earn enough money to get out of their house. With a good strategic plan, hard work, interpersonal skills, and the ability to think out of the box, you can thrive financially (become a homeowner and pay off your student loans), and still make a difference at the same time. There are many continuing educational programs in leadership, public speaking, organizing and campaigning. Check out United Way's website and your local Toastmaster.
The public relations field is extremely diverse in what it offers. Here you can work private or non private sector, become an entrepreneur who specializes in press releases and media kits (pick up some graphic design courses at your local community college), learn to promote products and services, get additional training in copy writing and advertising. You can become a speech writer and a copywriter, or you can take your public relations background into research and development. Every industry has some form of public relations. If they don't you can help them develop one.
Today there is much more freedom in choosing what to do with the rest of our lives. We can stretch and see beyond the usual career paths, and make a path of our own.
