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The benefit of a Humanities degree is that it truly prepares you for the working world

What did you find beneficial about your program at McMaster?

I really enjoyed how complementary my double major was, it almost felt like I graduated with both a Degree and a Diploma. The Communications program was research based, required critical thinking and analysis, and taught us to dive deep into current affairs – all paired with the Multimedia program that was application based, involving hands-on media production and experimenting with creative programs.

What advice would you give to a current student who is thinking about career options?

Don’t put so much pressure on yourself to find the perfect job right out of university – it is very likely that it won’t be your last one! Every job provides you with experience, and it is experience that lands you the next job. It’s important to just get started in the working world, see what you like and don’t like, and then adjust your career path accordingly.

In your opinion, what is the value of a Humanities degree?

The benefit of a Humanities degree is that it truly prepares you for the working world. Regardless of your department of study, Humanities graduates learn and develop the fundamental skills employers require for nearly every job – critical thinking, communications, working independently, and time management. It might sound overly simple, but these skills are invaluable and they truly go a long way.

A Humanities degree’s value is in its multi-disciplinary approach. It opens your eyes to perspectives beyond your immediate field and challenges you to think critically.

What did you find beneficial about your program at McMaster?

I chose my major firstly based on topics I was passionate about. What ended up being beneficial in my journey was so much more than that. My degree led me down a path that was multi-disciplinary and gave me breadth and perspective. In my degree, not only did I take courses specifically relevant to Peace Studies and Women’s Studies but I also dove into Philosophy, History, Sociology, Psychology, etc. I owe my sense of perspective and thoughtfulness to my degree.

What advice would you give to a current student who is thinking about career options?

What you choose to take in university isn’t the only thing that defines your career. If you look at your learning as an on-going life journey (which it is), then university is your foundation. On that foundation, you can keep adding building blocks of knowledge to it —and the more diverse the better.

I also wish someone had told me that it’s OK to change your mind and change your path. I used to have this rigid and narrow idea of the type of organization and type of career someone with my degree should have. In hindsight, it’s clear that it was one of many potential paths. Explore your options, talk to people who have non-linear career paths or those who have changed industries.

In your opinion, what is the value of a Humanities degree?

Breadth of knowledge. A Humanities degree’s value is in its multi-disciplinary approach. It opens your eyes to perspectives beyond your immediate field and challenges you to think critically. Those are incredibly valuable skills in today’s dynamic job market.

The programs I chose and the opportunities that came with them fuelled my curiosity, sharpened my critical thinking skills, and broadened my worldview.

What did you find beneficial about your program at McMaster?

The flexibility of both the Communication Studies and Theatre and Film Studies programs allowed me to combine hands-on learning with lectures and tutorials. I had the opportunity to practice and apply communication theories and principles in internships, research projects, and teaching positions. It’s also wonderful to be able to marry what I learned in Communications Studies with theatre and stage management; I loved seeing the work behind the scenes come to life on stage. The programs I chose and the opportunities that came with them fuelled my curiosity, sharpened my critical thinking skills, and broadened my worldview.

What advice would you give to a current student who is thinking about career options?

Forget “finding your passion.” Instead, be curious and have a fearless desire to learn. In the beginning of your career post graduation, you will likely find yourself competing hard for job opportunities. This feeling of “starting from scratch” is stressful. Acknowledge your uncertainties and focus your attention to what you can do to accelerate your learning as an early-career professional. This may mean doing freelance work, seeking out volunteer opportunities, or taking on select internships to hone a specific skill in your industry. Though you are starting at square one fresh out of university, there is really nowhere to go but up. With perseverance and focused learning, you will get through this initial hump and be considered for opportunities.

In your opinion, what is the value of a Humanities degree?

Graduating with a Humanities degree means that you’re equipped with the essential skills needed to thrive in any workplace or new environment: critical thinking, listening, good communication, negotiation, empathy, analysis, and strategic thinking. There is nothing “soft” about these skills. The long-form essays you wrote, literature you read, and debates you engaged in are all necessary means to sharpen those essential skills; they are needed in a world of increased complexity with interwoven issues and impacts. Humanities grads, take pride in knowing that you’re armed with these important skills as soon as you step foot outside of the university.