Overview
Overview
The "I'll figure it out later" major.
Description
As you desperately peruse the list of majors at the college of your dreams, you start to wonder if you'll ever find the right one. You know you're liberal, and you're artsy, but oh there are just so many choices out there. Something a bit broader would be nice and ideal, but what kind of major would that be? Why, liberal arts, that's what.
This major lets students take classes in many different disciplines—liberal arts covers the humanities, social sciences, and the natural sciences. Students can develop the skills to do pretty much anything.
Well, except fly a plane… please don't try to fly a plane with only a liberal arts degree.
Some people choose this major because they aren't sure what else to do, while others feel like a more general education is exactly what they need. You probably won't find a lot of people who've known what they've wanted to do since age five in the liberal arts department. Generally, those folks are on specific tracks, like pre-med, law school, or the circus.
When it comes to the post-grad life of a liberal arts major, there's both good and bad news. The bad news is that liberal arts majors have a tough time in the job market right now. They lack specialization, and having experience in "oh, you know, a little bit of everything" doesn't look all that great on a resume.
The good news is that some employers have learned the value of this education, and realize that it provides a strong foundation upon which experience can be built. You'd be a jack of all trades, baby.
Famous People who majored in Liberal Studies
- Dan Hesse (government and international studies)
- Peter Thiel (philosophy)
- Ken Chenault (history)
- James R. Helmly, chief of the U.S. Army Reserve, commanding general of the United States Army Reserve
- Judy McGrath (English)
Percentage of US students who major in Liberal Studies:
1.24%
Stats obtained from this source.