December 18th, 2009 by Natalie Hikel

I am a creative person, a free thinker… a student of the world, if you will. And that’s exactly why an Arts and Humanities degree was right for me. I loved taking classes in comparative religions, gender and race studies, the history of dance and the philosophy of machines. I am also well aware that none of those classes had any practical use in my daily life, certainly not the way a class in thermodynamics would be useful to a mechanical engineer. But I see the purpose for a college education beyond a professional application. I believe strongly in the value of expanding your mind and studying random and interesting subjects while you can. Of course that’s not to negate the fact that I then went to graduate school in hopes of becoming more employable, or that on occasion, I wish I was a dentist.

The Wall Street Journal recently published an article trying to quantify the value of college degrees and if they are worth what you pay. The gist of it is, practical degrees are money makers from the get-go and large public universities are the best value for those who want to explore their career options. However, not everyone judges value in dollars and cents. A college education, and where you get it, provides much more. College affords you the opportunity to develop who you are, which is why college grads are generally more civic minded and community connected. Ultimately, the most successful graduates are those who have the drive and focus to succeed professionally, regardless of their degree or their alma mater. Is it any surprise that your own “can do” attitude is what matters most?

To borrow from my favorite philosopher, Dr. Seuss, “You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose. You’re on your own. And you know what you know. And YOU are the guy who’ll decide where to go.”

Tags: college education, pratical degrees, purpose for a college education, value of college degrees
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