What makes some universities more successful than others in preparing arts and humanities students for career success? Kanika Tandon investigates.
Governments across the world are drifting towards STEM/FAME subjects and vocational courses in the hope that these will provide a much-needed boost for recession-hit economies.
Many countries—particularly the US and the UK—have introduced funding cuts at universities, which may have an adverse effect on the discipline of arts and humanities in the long run.
Some universities are already struggling with lack of funds and have proposed their plans to close departments. Moreover, the perception of an increased demand for graduates who are ‘industry-ready’—something not naturally associated with an arts and humanities graduate—has popularized the notion that the discipline is not great career-choice.
Transferable skills
In light of this it is therefore interesting to note that some of the universities have fared stunningly well in employers’ preferences—even in the arts and humanities subjects.
QS’s arts and humanities rankings of universities across the world took six arts and humanities subjects into consideration: Philosophy, Modern Languages, Geography and Area Studies, English Literature and Language, Linguistics and History.
Arts and humanities graduates interest employers for they have the necessary transferable skills which make them adaptable to a wide range of job profiles in numerous sectors.
These disciplines empower students with sharper skills in communications, problem-solving, analysis, writing, presentation, critical thinking and negotiating which are much valued by a spectrum of employers.
Dr Parshia Lee-Stecum, Associate Dean (Teaching & Learning) Faculty of Arts, The University of Melbourne, is quick to point out that the arts and humanities degree “fosters both creative and analytical acumen, encourages independent research and problem-solving [which are the] flexible skills that employers most value”.
Arts and humanities leaders
As per the QS subject rankings, the US and the UK universities are the most reputable in the discipline. Harvard, Oxford and Cambridge share the top three places in almost all the subjects, followed by Massachusetts Institute of Technology, University of California, Berkeley and Yale University in the top ten.
However, it has also emerged in the subject rankings that it isn’t just US and UK universities which are attracting employers in search of arts and humanities graduates.
Universities from Australia and Canada too are strong players. Australia ranks in the top ten in employer preference in Geography and Area Studies (8), History (8) and Linguistics (6). Canadian universities too are favoured by the employers in the subjects of English Language and Literature (11), Linguistics (7) and Philosophy (8).
But why is it that when funds are being drained out of the arts and humanities, the graduates from these universities are thriving and are much sought-after by the employers?
It is obviously true, as also reflected in the subject rankings, that the academic system at these universities is extremely thorough. This brings the best out of the candidates and hence makes them appear outstanding to employers.
As a University of Cambridge spokesperson says, “Cambridge undergraduates… are sought after by employers, because they recognise that the flexibility, teaching style and academic rigour of our degree courses ensure that our students are equipped to excel in any workplace.”
New life for liberal education
However, one of the main reasons for this ‘employability success’ is the recognition of the need for change and altering the curriculum accordingly. This also means new teaching methods are adopted to revive student interest as well as enrich the educational experience.
Meric Gertler, Dean, Faculty of Arts & Science, University of Toronto, shares with us how his university “is breathing new life into the idea of liberal education through curriculum renewal to ensure the continuing relevance of the educational experience.”
He says, “The world has changed and graduates need to relate their knowledge to complex and changing situations… hence, we ensure students gain exposure to a breadth of perspectives and disciplines in the course of their education, explore outside their comfort zones and have access to numerous international opportunities.”
The focus is also on an interdisciplinary education for arts and humanities students so as to add value to the course and provide well-rounded education. Students are encouraged to engage in research and get involved in ‘experiential’ learning to get an edge.
Critical and creative thinking
Christopher Manfredi, McGill's Dean of the Faculty of Arts, says, “We strive to ensure our students acquire a broadly based yet thorough understanding of their academic subjects by encouraging innovative interdisciplinary programs with strength in core disciplines. This enhances those very important critical and creative thinking skills.”
Apart from this, there is also an increased industry interface where students are exposed to internships and short programs to sharpen the much-wanted industry-relevant skills. Associate Professor Mark Davis, Director, Graduate School of Arts & Humanities, University of Melbourne, informs us that all the masters programs in arts and humanities at the university have a 'strong vocational orientation' and equip students with 'real-world skills’ which are so hunted by the employers.
He adds, "We work with employers across the range of disciplines to ensure this, and indeed, many of our subjects are taught by industry professionals in areas from public policy to media and communications to art curatorship."
Dean Manfredi says, “McGill has… developed an innovative international internship program that provides our students with opportunities to develop practical skills by working for governments, NGOs and private companies in diverse settings and fields.”
The efforts by these universities to regularly upgrade the curriculum, provide an interdisciplinary approach and ample exposure to practical situations have paid well. It has led to the arts and humanities disciplines staying relevant in fast-changing times, as well as giving them a new lease of life by making them more practical.
As the rankings reflect, these universities have set an example for the others to emulate.