With all this talk of getting into the professional world, what degree do you have? Most people focus on their vocational or STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) degrees, but there’s another major that has become increasingly popular: liberal arts.
These are typically categorized as humanities, social sciences, and languages. While these may sound like more casual degrees, they can help you in many ways. You can hone your writing skills by taking some English classes or learning how to discuss topics related to the human condition and psychology.
There are even groups of students who feel that graduating with only an art degree is limiting their career opportunities. Many employers look at academic achievements, work ethic, and professionalism when offering employment, so having a college degree is important.
The most common fields for liberal arts graduates include education, business, marketing, journalism, communications, and research and development (R&D). These are just a few examples, and not every student will be able to find themselves working in one of those areas, but it is great to be prepared in case something happens.
Liberal arts degrees often emphasize studying concepts rather than applications, which makes them good preparation for professionals. Having knowledge of other subjects also helps break up monotony in certain disciplines.
Become a social media influencer
After college, many students get busy with their lives and careers quickly. Finding time to devote to creative pursuits like painting or drawing is often difficult as we grow up in an increasingly connected world.
If you are passionate about creating art, then becoming a social media artist is a great way to hone your craft while still getting paid for it! The field of social media marketing has grown rapidly, and large companies will hire trained professionals to promote their products using digital tools and strategies.
Some of the most popular positions include content writers, social media managers, and marketeers who are tasked with developing relationships with other marketers to gain exposure for their product or service.
I have seen first-hand how profitable and effective social media can be used to spread knowledge and inspire changes in people’s lives.
Become a financial adviser
If you have an art or music degree, you can become an artist or musician by practicing your craft and teaching yourself how to market yourself as a professional member of that field. You could also teach yourself about investing by reading books and learning about different investment strategies.
A liberal arts education gives you the fundamentals needed to function in this world, but it may not give you a very clear picture of what you will be doing with your life once you graduate. Therefore, if you’re passionate about money, real estate, or investments, then there are many paths you can take after graduation.
You can choose to work as an accountant, banker, broker, or wealth manager who helps people invest in stocks, bonds, real estate, or any number of other assets. Or, you can go into business for yourself by opening up a brokerage firm or buying individual properties and renting them out.
I know from experience that becoming a finance professional is a tough job, so make sure you are well prepared before jumping into the workforce. Being professionally trained in areas such as economics, accounting, business, marketing, and psychology can only help your career progress.
Start a business
Starting your own business is one of the best things you can do if you want to change your life — or at least give yourself a new life. There are many ways to make money doing what you love – creating, writing, designing, marketing, teaching, organizing events, etc.
Many people start their businesses with an idea that they have always wanted to get into business with. Creating products or services that meet need is a great way to begin.
And while it may not be easy at first, there are plenty of resources available to help you launch and grow your business.
You’ll find advice and tips for all types of businesses, from beginner level ones to more advanced ones. It really doesn’t matter which type of business you choose, there are lots of strategies and tools to succeed!
There are even online communities where you can connect with other entrepreneurs to motivate each other as well as learn from each other.
Learn to be positive
After college, some people struggle to find their place in life. This is totally normal! The job market isn’t quite as open to individuals with only a bachelor’s degree like it was back when you finished school. It can feel like there are just so many things you need to do to get where you want to go.
That’s why it’s important to not only hone your skills, but also learn how to be happy with what you have. You will find that once you start putting more effort into being happy, then going after what you want will come much easier.
It’s tough out there for someone who doesn’t have at least a Bachelor’s degree, especially if they are trying to start their career or advance within an organization.
However, don’t worry about other people, focus on yourself and what you want from Life.
Become a teacher
A career in teaching is a wonderful choice. There are many opportunities to teach both children’s classes and adult classes, such as education, psychology or counseling. Teaching high school students gives you an opportunity to inspire them to learn and prepare them for college.
Teaching elementary schools offers parents some time off while they go back to work and helps their kids develop friendships. Both of these things help young people feel comfortable around others and form relationships that will last a lifetime.
If teaching isn’t your thing, then consider becoming a tutor instead. Tutoring takes place in a one-on-one setting, so it’s not like teaching where there are always too many distractions. Having a mentor who can help you succeed is a valuable asset!
Another option is being a classroom aide. This means working with different teachers and classrooms to ensure every student has what they need to be successful. It also means making sure each student receives the right amount of attention given their grade level.
These jobs don’t pay very much at first, but through teamwork, meetings of departments, and networking, you can pick up side income projects. Some positions even offer paid vacation days which is great if and when you want to take a break.
Get a job in the government
If you’re still struggling to find a position, try applying for jobs in the public sector. Most large cities have at least one department that needs help running its operations or improving efficiency. These departments typically offer employment opportunities in marketing, finance, human resources, business administration, research and analysis, and many other areas.
The best way to get hired in the public sector is by putting your best foot forward with an impressive resume and strong interviews. While having a degree in art or literature can be helpful when looking for positions in education or publishing, non-degree backgrounds are acceptable in most fields.
Public service professionals work under very tight deadlines so being able to prioritize and manage time efficiently is important. Having some experience working with others and keeping track of what has been done already make it easier to pick up new tasks quickly.
In addition to showing off your skills, people in these types of positions look for examples of leadership.
Get a job in the military
As we mentioned earlier, being involved in the military is an incredible way to spend your life. It gives you access to some of the best career paths out there!
If you’re interested in working in logistics or supply management, the Department of Defense offers several scholarships for students with at least a bachelor’s degree. The Army Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC) also almost always offer tuition discounts to active duty officers.
The other option if you want to work in intelligence is to apply as an officer candidate through the United States Military Academy or the Naval Officer Candidate School. Both of these programs give you full college funding while you are attending school!
These types of jobs can easily pay close to $60,000 per year so it is definitely a valuable investment. Plus, living expenses are usually covered by the government so that doesn’t need to be considered.
Become a doctor
After college, some people choose to go into medicine or dental school. These are two of the most popular career paths in our society today. Both require a very strong academic foundation as well as lots of training and education.
Medicine is considered one of the top ten highest paying careers you can have. There are many ways to get involved with medicine, though. You do not need to be professionally trained to help others!
All sorts of professions contribute towards helping your community stay healthy. This includes things like working in a dentist’s office, practicing yoga, or even coaching sports.
There are also positions that don’t involve direct patient care where someone still uses their knowledge and skills for the betterment of health. For example, a business manager who keeps employees motivated by encouraging teamwork and sharing experiences.
Becoming a professional caregiver is another way to help other people. A nurse, practical nurse, or medical assistant takes orders from doctors and helps them with all kinds of tasks — from checking blood work to taking vital signs.
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