What can a person do with a humanities degree?

[Beryllos]

If you go to college and learn how to think, to learn, and to relate to other people, you will do well in life.

 

[RolandThompsonGunner]

Is a business minor helpful in getting a job?

Narrow it down a bit. “Business” is pretty vague. You mentioned working for a hospital. Are you interested in healthcare administration?

A business minor with a humanities major is going to be kind of confusing to an employer. If your goal is to work in finance or Human Resources or whatever, I’d make that your major and then just take electives in the humanities if you’re interested.

I don’t know that minors really do much, honestly.

 

[edjlopez23]

A business minor with a humanities major is going to be kind of confusing to an employer. If your goal is to work in finance or Human Resources or whatever, I’d make that your major and then just take electives in the humanities if you’re interested.

I don’t know that minors really do much, honestly.

I would major in business but I think it would take at least three extra quarters for me to get that degree. Thus, I estimate it may cost me $8-10k more or so out of pocket probably. I could have use those three extra quarters in grad school if I intended to go.

 

[edjlopez23]

Apologies. I did not realise that this question was specific to the US. The OP does not state a location or mention a location in the post. I am also not convinced that the situation is particularly different between the two countries. Humanities graduates from top US universities have very good employment prospects. Humanities graduates from poorly regarded universities in the UK have poor employment prospects.

So I’m thinking of getting a humanities degree from a Catholic University in the United States.

 

[RolandThompsonGunner]

I would major in business but I think it would take at least three extra quarters for me to get that degree. Thus, I estimate it may cost me $8-10k more or so out of pocket probably. I could have use those three extra quarters in grad school if I intended to go.

I don’t think there is a one size fits all answer here. I don’t know your financial situation or career goals, but I will say that getting a theater or English literature degree and then trying to get a job in healthcare administration is probably not a great move. The degree just doesn’t line up with the job you say you’re looking for.

Maybe go to school part time while working if money is an issue? Look for an entry level job in healthcare (assuming that’s what you want to do, I’m still a little unclear) and make professional connections while you get your degree.

 

[edjlopez23]

Yeah, probably getting experience might be the best option in my situation.

 

[RolandThompsonGunner]

Yeah, probably getting experience might be the best option in my situation.

I think the best thing you can do is narrow down your career goals. Talk to people who are in jobs you think you might be interested in. Get a feel for what qualifications are necessary, how the job market looks for those positions, what salary is typical, etc.

And obviously, experience and education aren’t mutually exclusive. You can work part time while going to school.

 

[EmilyAlexandra]

So I’m thinking of getting a humanities degree from a Catholic University in the United States.

I appreciate that people on this thread already think that I don’t know what I am talking about because I don’t live in the United States. I do work for a US-based company, I work with a lot of Americans in our London office, and I visit the United States.

If you are interested in a business career after graduation and want to attend a Catholic university in the United States, I would think that your top choices should be the School of Foreign Service at Georgetown, Georgetown College, or Notre Dame. A humanities graduate from any one of these should be highly employable.

 

[signit]

I’ll be stepping off this thread now, as experience has taught me that no matter how much experience at universities one has and no matter how many people one knows from them, people will believe what they want to believe about their opportunities with X degree from Y school. And this is how we have so many people burdened with college loan debt and constantly complaining that the government should erase it. People should choose wisely.

Best quote in the whole thread. I couldn’t have said it better myself.

Not accusing the original poster of this, but some young people considering different colleges and programs will believe everything they hear from Mommy, Daddy, the guidance counselor, and the other 16-year-olds before they’ll believe someone like me with two master’s degrees.

Maybe go to school part time while working if money is an issue? Look for an entry level job in healthcare (assuming that’s what you want to do, I’m still a little unclear) and make professional connections while you get your degree.

Second-best quote in the thread.

This cannot be overstated.

In fact, that’s probably how a lot of humanities majors find jobs.

I don’t think there is a one size fits all answer here. I don’t know your financial situation or career goals, but I will say that getting a theater or English literature degree and then trying to get a job in healthcare administration is probably not a great move. The degree just doesn’t line up with the job you say you’re looking for.

Another great point.

Years ago when I was looking at graduate business schools I attended a reception and talked to some professionals about this issue (i.e., getting a business position with a humanities degree). One person I talked to said it would look like I had mental issues. Another person joined the conversation and said it might be possible if you’re exceptional. The example he gave is that if you’re a straight-A student and “you have a face like a movie star” and a great personality.