The humanities teach a breadth of soft skills that graduates need to succeed in the job market.
What did you find beneficial about your program at McMaster?
I had a wonderfully supportive committee and colleagues in the program.
What advice would you give to a current student who is thinking about career options?
Think about the skills, not the disciplinary knowledge, that you have. Explore career options through volunteering opportunities and informational interviews with alumni or people you find through LinkedIn or other channels. Asking strangers for interviews may sound incredibly awkward but it works! It’s a great opportunity to learn about career path options and develop a network of contacts and mentors.
In your opinion, what is the value of a Humanities degree?
The humanities teach a breadth of soft skills that graduates need to succeed in the job market: intellectual curiosity and critical thinking, persuasive communication, the ability to think and work independently, etc. The challenge for many grads is to think beyond the disciplinary knowledge to learn to identify their skill set and communicate it to prospective employers in “resumes.”