Making the Case for a Liberal Arts Education

As a college counselor, I have the privilege of hearing about the goals and aspirations of young men and women, and trying my best to launch them to the next level of their educational journey. I often hear my students say that they must major in engineering, accounting, or business to land a “good” job after college. While these majors may be the right choice for some, I want to make the case for a liberal arts education, and the importance it holds in the job marketplace today and will continue to for years to come.

As a graduate of a liberal arts college, Saint Joseph’s University, I would not change anything about the courses I was able to take or the overall education I received. I have always loved learning about societies, groups of people, and how everyone interacts with each other, so I decided to major in Sociology, and it was an incredible experience. I am a strong believer in taking advantage of our fantastic American collegiate education, and that all students should pursue an education in a field or area they are passionate about. Not only is a liberal arts education crucial to developing well-rounded thinking and experience, it also prepares students for careers in almost any professional field. Contrary to popular belief, many employers actually actively seek students with a liberal arts background, as it signals creative, communicative, and problem-solving skills, which transcend all types of careers.

One crucial reason a liberal arts education can often be more helpful than a more specialized degree is because industries are constantly changing. As Director of Admissions at Seattle University, Melore Nielson told me recently, “A liberal arts education provides graduates the creative and critical thinking skills that will help them adapt to a changing world and economy, prepares them to communicate with individuals with diverse perspectives, and lays the foundation for making informed and ethical decisions.”

The intellectual curiosity within students with a liberal arts education is key for educational and professional growth, and their desire to think outside the box and draw thoughts from diverse schools of thought is what can make these students so attractive to employers. In a recent discussion with the President of Franklin and Marshall College, Dr. Daniel Porterfield, on the value of a liberal arts education, he discussed the importance of individuals who are willing to go this route in college, and why our society depends on it. He said, “The great problems and great opportunities of our era – from climate change to global security and from biomedical discovery to advances in technology – require well-educated minds who are agile enough to think imaginatively and respond to change. Liberal arts education promotes intellectual empowerment and freedom. It’s an American tradition of education that helps the one and the many.”


When it comes time to decide which path to take in college, there is no one right direction. That’s the beauty of American education. And though a STEM or more specialized degree may be the right fit for certain students, they are not the only option. If you don’t want to follow a specialized degree path or you’re still unsure which of your passions you’ll ultimately want to pursue, a liberal arts education can be a freeing and exhilarating option…and very often, will pay off in the end! 

Joseph D. Korfmacher, MA

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