STEM OR Humanities / Liberal Arts : What to Choose ?
In recent years, there has been a
growing debate over the value of a liberal arts education versus a technical
education. While both fields offer unique opportunities and benefits, there are
some key differences to consider when comparing career opportunities for
students with an education in arts and humanities versus students with an
education in science and technology.
One of the main differences is the type of
jobs that are available to graduates. Students with an education in science and
technology are more likely to find careers in fields such as engineering,
computer science, and healthcare. These jobs tend to be highly technical and
often require specialized knowledge and skills.
On the other hand, students with
an education in arts and humanities are more likely to find careers in fields
such as communications, education, and business. These jobs tend to be more
focused on creativity, problem-solving, and communication.
Another key
difference is the earning potential of graduates. According to a study by the
Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce, graduates with
degrees in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) tend to earn higher
initial salaries than graduates with degrees in other fields. However when it
comes to growing in these careers beyond the technical tasks and moving on to
man management , project management or climbing the hierarchy of positions in
the company, the skills such as logical reasoning , communication skills, people
skills, problem solving skills, Grit , emotional management , conflict
resolution, Negotiation skills matter considerably. These skills are not much
focused in the formal STEM trainings generally and individuals are left to mend
for themselves to learn these skills.
Students from humanities do get
opportunities to participate in various activities which help in development of
the above skills which get sharpened mostly only through practice and hence we
see that globally the people in Higher management across industries happen to be
from humanities / liberal arts educational background. It is hence important to
note that the earning potential for graduates with an education in arts and
humanities can vary widely depending on the specific field and type of job and
how the person builds himself as a leader in a field.
When it comes to job
stability and growth, both fields have their advantages. STEM fields are often
considered to be more stable, as they tend to be less affected by economic
downturns and tend to have higher growth potential. However, the field of
technology is rapidly evolving and this can change quickly, so the stability and
growth potential in this field can be very dynamic. The recent layoffs by tech
giants like Google, Meta ( Facebook) , Microsoft etc have proved this .
On the
other hand, the field of arts and humanities is considered to be more adaptable
and diverse. It includes a wide range of disciplines, and graduates are able to
find jobs in a variety of different fields. Finally, it is important to note
that both fields require different skill sets. Students with an education in
science and technology tend to have strong analytical and problem-solving
skills, while students with an education in arts and humanities tend to have
strong communication and creative skills. Both sets of skills are highly
valuable in today's job market, and employers are looking for candidates with a
combination of both.
In conclusion, both fields of study offer unique
opportunities and benefits. Students with an education in science and technology
tend to find careers in highly technical fields with higher earning potential in
terms of salaries , while students with an education in arts and humanities tend
to find careers in more creative fields with more diverse opportunities . These
students may also create huge earning opportunities for themselves depending on
their skills and personality traits.
Some people from STEM may find their purpose by providing solutions to various problems of the society and that may be the only thing that gives them immense satisfaction while some may achieve the same through a different way altogether.
And then of course you remember the heart
touching conversation between Farhan and his father in the famous movie 3 idiots
.. “Kya hua thode kam paise kamaunga, ghar chota hoga , gadi choti hogi .. par
mai khush rahunga abba … I will be happy …"
In a nut shell both will find their ways and society needs both equally. not to forget that the beautiful photographs clicked by Farhaan to fulfill his passion were through the camera that was designed and developed by a STEM passionate Rancho or may be even Raju Rastogi...
Ultimately, the best choice depends on the individual student's interests, skills and aptitude , his personality , attitude and goals.
When it comes to
choosing between the two to start a career, its better to dive deeper into your interests , your personality, your competencies, your values and dreams in an objective manner.
An experienced and expert career coach comes in handy as a consultant / guide to help
you in this process.
Wishing you a great success ahead.
Avinaash Deshmukh
Youth
and Career Coach
www.boldnet.in
care@brainsmaart.com
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