Why study the humanities, when you can study STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics)? David M. Rubenstein, co-founder of the globally renowned asset management company The Carlyle Group weighs in, that the study of the humanities leads to reasoning skills that lead to higher-paying jobs. He goes so far as to create a formula for success that includes the study of humanities. “H=MC. Humanities equals more cash,” he says.
Beyond success in the work place, it’s also important to study what you love, according to Jordan Weissmann, senior associate editor of The Atlantic. Students will more than likely stick to their preferred area of study and graduate, rather than get frustrated by forcing themselves to study something “marketable” and quitting. “You know what’s worse than graduating with a hard-to-market art history degree? Not graduating at all,” says Weissmann.
Perhaps the best argument for going “pro humanities” can be conveyed by this video created by The Stanford Humanities Center: home of the human experience. “The more people know about the humanities, the more people can understand world around them,” Harry Elam, Vice Provost for Undergraduate Education, Stanford.
