Liberal Arts: Many Paths, Endless Possibilities NACADA Annual Conference October 2014 Andy Armstrong & Vince Hernandez ©2014 Hernandez & Armstrong

What We’ll Cover Perceptions of Liberal Arts Education Success Stories Mobility of a Liberal Arts education Strategies to Help Students Help Themselves Scenarios

Perceptions of Liberal Arts

I’ve Heard That Before…. “My parents said……” “Will I even get a real job?” “I can make more money in…” “I don’t want to be a teacher.”

Negative Media Reports: Gerber, S. (2012, September 24). How Liberal Arts Colleges Are Failing America. Retrieved from

Negative Media Reports: Fottrell, Q. (2014, May 21). (More) bad news for liberal arts majors. Retrieved from

Negative Media Reports: Driscoll, E. (2012, January 27). What is a Liberal Arts Degree Worth These Days? Retrieved from

If They Can Do It, So Can You!

It’s Not All Linear

Hidden Gems: With a few suggestions… Giang, V. (2013, August 29). Liberal Arts Majors Need These 8 Skills To Get Ahead. Retrieved from Koba, M. (23, April 15). Why Businesses Prefer a Liberal Arts Education. Retrieved from

An Association of American Colleges & Universities (AAC&U) survey results: 95% hiring preference is given to innovation in the workplace 93% prefer a demonstrated capacity to think critically, communicate clearly, and Solve complex problems over an applicant’s undergraduate degree 74% recommend the AAC&U definition of a liberal arts education; Source: It Takes More than a Major: Employer Priorities for College Learning and Student Success It Takes More than a Major: Employer Priorities for College Learning and Student Success Washington, DC: Association of American Colleges and Universities and Hart Research Associates.

Source: It Takes More than a Major: Employer Priorities for College Learning and Student Success It Takes More than a Major: Employer Priorities for College Learning and Student Success Washington, DC: Association of American Colleges and Universities and Hart Research Associates.

Strategies to Help Students Market Themselves Pope, J. (2012, December 30). Liberal arts colleges forced to evolve with market. Retrieved from

Strategies to Help Students Market Themselves Source: How Liberal Arts and Science Majors Fare in Employment

Strategies to Help Students Market Themselves Suggested coursework: STEM classes, including “Bid Data analytics” Internships Business and Economics courses Theater Arts, specifically communication skills Professional writing skills Leadership studies Grant, K. (2013, August 13). Six college courses that help grads land jobs. Retrieved from

Strategies to Help Students Market Themselves Moton, Tony. (2014, July 1). The One Thing That Could Save Your Liberal Arts Degree. Retrieved from Suggested programs: Master’s in Business Administration (MBA) Master’s in Health Care Administration (MHA) Master’s in Psychology and Counseling Master’s in Education Administration

Strategies to Help Students Market Themselves Sharpen Career FocusKnow How To Articulate SkillsSupplement Skill Set As NeededBE PROUD! BE PASSIONATE! Adapted from Hansen, K., "Ten Ways to Market your Liberal Arts Degree" and McMullen, L., "4 Tips or Making the Most of Liberal Arts Degrees."

Connection with Former Students High Impact Practices Seminars Career Center Intro Courses into the Major Outreach to Prospective Students Opportunities We Currently Use

WHAT WOULD YOU DO? A student, comes to visit and is considering changing their major out of your Liberal Arts program because they do not believe they will be able to enter a career that he/she will be happy with both personally and professionally.

QUESTIONS?

Resources Brooks, K. (2009). You majored in what? New York: Penguin Group. Driscoll, E. (2012). What is a liberal arts degree worth these days? Retrieved on September 2, 2014 from Fottrell, Q. (2014). (More) bad news for liberal arts majors. Retrieved September 2, 2014 from Gerber, S. (2012). How liberal arts colleges are failing America. Retrieved on September 2, 2014 from Giang, V. (2013). Liberal arts majors need these 8 skills to get ahead. Retrieved on September 2, 2014 from Grant, K. (2013). Six college courses that help grads land jobs. Retrieved on September 2, 2014 from Hansen, K. (n.d.). "Ten ways to market your liberal arts degree." Retrieved on October 11, 2013 from Humphreys, D., Kelly, P. (2013). How liberal arts and sciences majors fare in employment: A report on earning and long-term career paths. Retrieved on September 21, 2014 from It Takes More than a Major: Employer Priorities for College Learning and Student Success Retrieved on September 2, 2014 fromIt Takes More than a Major: Employer Priorities for College Learning and Student Success Koba, M. (2013). Why Businesses Prefer a Liberal Arts Education. Retrieved on September 2, 2014 from McMullen, L. (2011). “4 Tips for Making the Most of Liberal Arts Degrees." US News & World Report. Retrieved on October 11, 2013 from Moton, T. (2014). The One Thing That Could Save Your Liberal Arts Degree. Retrieved on September 2, 2014 from Pope, J. (2012). Liberal arts colleges forced to evolve with market. Retrieved on September 2, 2014 from

Vince Hernandez Senior Academic Advisor II Marco L. Valadez Senior Academic Advisor I Andy Armstrong Director of Advising College of Liberal Arts