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 What Can You Do with a Liberal Arts Education?

One of the first concerns that both parents and students have about a college education is the future; what better opportunities will the student gain, what career will he find success in? For those parents conscientious of the investment they are making, there is sure to be concern. Risk is inherent with most investment, so although there is joy in aiding a son through school, there is also the worry of losing time and money. Students, also, are well aware of the pressure of the "real world." A college like Wabash is our preparation; we will be successful due to our hard-work and determination. But what can we do with a Liberal Arts education in the long run?

That question, or a variation thereof, is one of the most popular asked by prospective students, current students, and parents. Consequently, there has been much written about Liberal Arts programs. You can find this information in various forms and locations. Some examples include websites and college focused literature, like the books you can find in our office. What seems to be a recurring theme in the articles I’ve read is the value of communication. Employers covet employees that are able to efficiently and professionally communicate, and liberal arts students are accustomed to expressing their ideas in written form. Although it is a given that the job-seeking competition is full of applicants with the ability to read and write, it is implied that liberal arts students take less time to train in the art of communicating within their career field. In fact, businesses spend up to "$3.1 billion annually on remedial training to improve their workers' writing skills"*. So, liberal arts students save employers time and money, which is definitely an advantage in a competitive field.

Another valuable asset of the liberal arts student is his broad educational background. Unlike students that are specialized in one field, liberal arts students acquire skills that are applicable to almost any job. In the ever-evolving world of business, the ability to adapt is imperative to success. Liberal arts students are well-prepared to learn about the world around them and adapt. It is a mission of the liberal arts student, and more specifically the Wabash man, to be able to contribute to the world around him.

In this issue, I have put together information that I believe you will find helpful as you prepare for life in and beyond the collegiate years. There is a wealth of information available concerning the merits of liberal arts education, so I will be linking various articles to this newsletter. I hope all is going well with your Wabash experience.

In Wabash,
Stephen Iles
Editor, Career Advisor

*This information was reported by the National Commission on Writing, as cited in the article "Why Employers like Liberal Arts Grads" by careerbuilder.com