Declaring your major is a daunting task. The questions around coursework and books are overwhelming, but the fear about what you can do with your degree post-grad is enough to make you crawl back into bed and avoid class in general. However, the skills that come with a degree can go beyond the obvious. For humanities majors, careers in teaching and writing are clear choices, but we’ve compiled seven professions you may not have thought of pursuing with your humanities degree.
1. Lawyer
As a lawyer you’ll be forced to read cases, analyze them and then advise clients as you guide them through the legal system. Having a solid background and understanding in the humanities can certainly help you. Hannah Harshe, a sophomore at the University of Michigan, recounts her mom’s acceptance into law school, saying, “My mom majored in Latin and ended up getting into law school. She thinks that being a Latin major actually helped her a lot because there were probably a ton of poli sci majors applying to law school, but how many Latin majors were there? It makes you stand out in the crowd.” So, fret not humanities majors, your degree is valuable and waiting to be used.
2. Event planner
It’s no secret that humanities majors have a large course load. From papers to readings and presentations, you’re forced to be organized and stay on top of every aspect of your life. You can channel that creativity, passion and determination into planning events and parties. Shannon Tatum, a senior at Florida State University, says, “A friend of mine double majored in English and philosophy and is now a wedding planner. She says taking on such a heavy course load that required a lot of attention to detail has really helped her in her career.” Whether you see yourself planning parties, weddings or corporate events, your humanities degree will certainly benefit you in this field.
3. FBI Agent
An FBI agent might seem like a career fit for only a criminal justice major, but the FBI needs employees to decipher and write content for them daily. Tamara Yuling, a career counselor at Bowie State University, says, “The FBI does so much more than people think. Many of their employees work in office and code, transcribe and spend their time researching. Having a degree in English or literature is very useful for a job like this.” So, while you might not be hunting down the bad guys in person, you can certainly know you’re helping in some way.
4. Genealogist
Calling all history buffs, if your passion lies in understanding cultures and where people come from, consider becoming a genealogist. Your career involves connecting and tracing the lines of cultures and family ties. Katherine Anderson, a recent graduate of Appalachian State University, says, “I majored in anthropology in hopes of working in a field that allows me to study past cultures of my ancestors. By majoring in something that was time intensive and required a lot of discipline, I’m confident I’ll succeed in my career.”
5. Public relations associate
Working in public relations is all about building relationships and providing your clients with the best possible service. With the need for interpersonal communication skills and having the ability to understand human nature, consider using your degree in the humanities to explore this career.
6. Speech Writer
It’s no secret a speech writer is a vital tool in a politicians arsenal. So, combine your communications and writing skills into one profession and help others wow an audience. Tamara Yuling suggests, “Speech writing is a very specific skill and honing in on it and perfecting it is something I’ve seen humanities majors do really well. Being that they are well versed in literature, history and the arts, they’re a more well rounded candidate for the position.” So, do you think you have what it takes?
7. Social Service Worker
A large part of a social workers job is writing reports and communicating with families. While the day to day stories and people you encounter will change, the core of your role will be to analyze and determine the best possible outcome for families and children. A humanities degree has given you the diversity of learning, so apply that to this role.
Humanities majors are not just good students, but they’re incredible writers and communicators. So, take these skill sets and put them to good use in any one of these careers. As always, good luck collegiettes!