Despite stereotypes about humanities degrees leading to low-paying jobs, research reveals that humanities majors earn salaries comparable to other fields. However, societal pressures and policy shifts have caused enrollment in humanities majors to plummet by 24% since 2012.

While STEM degrees are often prioritized for job market applicability, humanities courses offer critical skills that extend beyond the classroom, fostering empathy, conversational skills, and a sense of community. These attributes are essential for both personal and professional success.

  • Empathy Development: Humanities courses, such as literature and history, immerse students in diverse perspectives, fostering empathy and deeper understanding. Even medical students show higher empathy scores after taking humanities classes.
  • Conversational Skills: Discussions in humanities classes enhance critical thinking and interpersonal communication, vital in technology-driven societies where face-to-face interactions are dwindling.
  • Community Building: Exposure to diverse narratives encourages collaboration, self-efficacy, and connections across differences, especially benefiting marginalized students.

Engaging with human stories and experiences equips students with “survival skills” for navigating complex social and professional landscapes, combating loneliness, and fostering a more connected society.