WHY A HUMANITIES SKILLSET WILL BOOST YOUR CAREER PROSPECTS The sciences are the “how,” and the humanities are the “why” — why are we here, why do we believe in the things we believe in. I don't think you can have the “how” without the “why.” George Lucas Transferable Skills Many of the skills you will learn in the Germanic & Slavic Studies department can be applied to any career field and any educational discipline you pursue after graduation. These skills are known as "soft skills," which a 2016 survey showed are "essential" to 93% of employers. The following qualities will help you transition into a career path and make you a valuable applicant to prospective employers: Critical thinking Necessary for innovative problem solving, data analysis, and qualitative as well as quantitative reasoning Communication & teamwork Imperative to workplace cohesion and effective writing Personal & social responsibility Creativity Independence & initiative Become an Effective Learner A humanities degree will teach you to ask increasingly sophisticated questions about yourself and the world around you. Moreover, the training you will gain in independent research, information gathering, and teamwork will provide valuable experiences that will make you a much more conscientious and efficient learner. You will find it easier to make connections among different tasks and information. These learning skills will be applicable to all new career endeavors. The ability to learn quickly and effectively is sought after by all employers. Develop Leadership Qualities The training exerted in the pursuit of a humanities degree is already preparing you for future leadership roles. Being able to effectively communicate, make ethical decisions and judgements, and to critically think will set you up to be someone in your workplace or future studies who others go to for support and assistance. The ability to build relationships with others is imperative to taking on a leadership role as well as simply functioning as a member of a workplace. By exposing your perception to different viewpoints and by exploring the writings and creations of others, your humanities degree will put you in a better position to understand others and lead them. The World Needs the Humanities! Above all, experience in the humanities will make you a better citizen and a more conscientious member of society. By learning about ourselves, by learning about the various cultures and viewpoints around us, we can improve the world and the way that we interact with it more effectively and compassionately. In a divided world, the humanities are the foundation of a peaceful society and "the good life": a life lived with purpose, compassion, and fulfillment. See the linked webpages below for specific information on German and/or Russian and your career. Careers in German Careers in Russian
