Conventional career wisdom says that you should select your dream job without using money as a criterion. That is to say, “what would you do with your life if salary weren’t an issue?” While this remains a tried and true litmus test for professional aspirations, it’s becoming increasingly obsolete in today’s world of liberal arts education. Undergraduate programs are structured to provide you with the critical reading, writing, and problem-solving skills necessary for continued success (noticeable exceptions include pre-med programs…you can’t really escape those requirements). Instead of obsessing about the prerequisites of some far-off career, consider tackling subjects about which you are truly passionate. Doing so can make it easier to digest and develop the aforementioned skills that drive today’s job market.

Liberal Arts to Information Technology
This approach served me well when I chose to study history; a field that many warned, “had no future.” I loved my undergraduate experience. I adored my professors. I matured as a critical thinker. And in the years since, few jobs have demanded my instant recall of dates, battles, and historic legislation. Rarely has Aaron Burr or the Treaty of Versailles figured into my record label and Web development gigs. I do, however, frequently rely on my ability to solve problems and overcome challenges; skills honed in a crucible of enthusiastic study. And by every measure, I would say that my professional experiences have all been successful.

What Do the Bigwigs Study as Undergraduates?
Let’s not rely on my experience alone. Maybe my transition from “undergraduate history” to “IT success story” represents a glitch in the matrix. Instead, let’s look at the corporate world where CEOs represent the crËme de la crËme of professional achievement. Would you be surprised to learn that nearly 40% of CEOs surveyed by Fortune started with liberal arts diplomas? Would you believe that college kids trained in art and medieval philosophy have gone on to lead powerhouse companies like Netscape Communications and Hewlett Packard respectively?

There’s nothing wrong with math and science (and we certainly need more pioneers in these fields), but a liberal arts education provides an invaluable foundation upon which to build. When you understand how to research a term paper, organize study sessions, or deliver persuasive presentations, there are few real-word challenges you won’t be able to overcome.

The Rising Cost of a Liberal Arts Education
Many might argue that liberal arts degrees often cost more than vocational training, especially with tuition costs rising 35% since the 1990s. And with the growing emphasis on job-ready technical skills, such concerns are not entirely without merit. But with a B.A. diploma under your belt, making the transition from English teacher to Wall Street analyst can be relatively painless. Not so fortunate are the scores of nurses-turned-plumbers and lab technicians-turned-masseuses out there. They usually have to go from one job-specific school to another in order to make the leap. Those tuition bills tend to add up.

Final Thought on Liberal Arts Training
It is highly unlikely that a job interviewer will ever test your knowledge of arcane historical facts or literary minutia. But if you happen to know that the American Civil War happened roughly 150 years ago, you can instantly distinguish yourself from the 57% of math-savvy job applicants who probably won’t.