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learn more and earn more by Bonnie Patterson, A recent headline in the Globe and Mail read, "Arts background no handicap in quest for jobs, study finds." The article, which spoke of the findings of a 1998 study sponsored by the Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada (AUCC), showed how graduates profit from training in the humanities and social sciences. Today's university student is more focused on the cost-benefit analysis of his or her education. Any wonder? A university education is a major expenditure in time and money, and more of today's students are considering their higher education in consumer terms. Unlike other big-ticket products with built-in obsolescence, an education is a lifetime purchase and should be guaranteed to provide benefits every day after graduation. Today, no job is stagnant. There are increasing requirements to be adaptable to new work demands involving information technology and telecommunications. A university education prepares today's students for a lifetime of learning, especially in the area of flexibility to job change. Contrary to some commonly held opinions, graduates of an education in the humanities and social sciences do find employment frequently in their area of study. If they don't directly find a career in a subject area of specialization, they definitely apply the skills acquired from its pursuit. In fact, in addition to higher salaries, the AUCC study proved that university graduates receive better benefits and pension packages. As well, there was no evidence to suggest that liberal arts degrees are declining in value, and confirmed that employment rates for such graduates have remained more or less the same since the early 1980s. It is time to take this message to the community and reinforce the many benefits of an education at Trent University. A Trent degree will pay a return in every life experience, every day for the rest of one's life. Recently I had an opportunity to write about such in the March issue of INFO magazine, a publication that goes to all high school guidance counsellors in the province. I encourage you to pursue venues in your world of writing to do the same. |
