Careers in Humanities

A Description of the Field

The Humanities provide a study of what it means to be human—that is, the history of human endeavor, the way humans express their ideas about it, and their sense of themselves personally and socially. Study in the Humanities provides a broad basis for successful careers in myriad fields because it provides the basic tools that are integral for any field: the ability to research, analyze and synthesize diverse data into an organized presentation with a coherent and forceful summary.

In short, the Humanities teach one to think critically, a prerequisite skill for success in any field, and the primary characteristic every employer desires for responsible positions in whatever business the student might wish to enter. The Humanities crucially depend on critical thinking—the ability to objectively consider competing information and arguments and to discriminate thoughtfully among them. A study in the Humanities also develops the ability to express ideas in clear and concise language, both oral and written. Thus, the student will develop skills that are far more in demand than more narrowly focused skill-sets supply. Furthermore, the skills developed from a study of the Humanities will never be out of date and will serve the student both personally and professionally throughout life.

The Humanities break down into three basic divisions, all of which serve the purpose of examining and enlarging human possibility. The divisions are History, Philosophy and the Fine and Performing Arts. The following career suggestions may require further degrees and advanced (graduate) study and the list shown below is by no means exhaustive. It is, in fact, only a sampling.
 

Sample Careers in History (links to O*Net Online)

Human Resources
Editing
Education
      Administrators
      Pre-school, Kindergarten
      Elementary
      Middle
      Secondary
      Post-secondary
      Adult, Literacy, Remedial and GED Teachers and Instructors
Historian
Journalism/publishing
Law
Regulatory Affairs Managers
Public Relations
Technological Writers

Sample Careers in Philosophy (links to O*Net Online)

Area, Ethnic and Cultural Studies Teachers, Postsecondary
Philosophy and Religion Teachers, Postsecondary
Education Administrators, Postsecondary
Archivists
Curators
Program Directors

Sample Careers in Fine and Performing Arts / Film (links to O*Net Online)

Art Directors
Commercial Art
Advertising
Layout
Animation
Book Illustration
Industrial Design
Fashion Design
Art Therapy
Fine Art Painting and Sculpture
Performing Musician
Music Teaching
Composer or Arranger
Instrument Repair or Technician
Audio Engineering
Sound Engineering Technicians
Arts Directors
Film and Video Editors
Director / Producer
Screen Writer

Humanities at Columbus State

Coursework in Humanities is offered by the Department of Humanities. Please visit their site for information about their pre-major programs, course offerings, and faculty.