Toby gave me 48 hour notice to write this editorial because he didn’t want to do it so now I’m going to convince you to study humanities:
When choosing a degree pathway, one question remains: Is the humanities dying? The rise of STEM fields being framed as practical, employable subjects intensify this narrative. Yet, beneath this rhetoric lies a complex reality, shaped by many factors causing us to now ask ourselves: should I study a humanitarian subject?
There is no denying that those who have bachelor’s degrees in STEM fields start off with a higher salary; in 2017, Motu Economic and Public Policy Research Trust found those who had a degree in STEM had the highest median pay (compared to non-STEM fields and/or those without a degree) but they also had a 57% growth in median earnings over their first six years post-graduation. Not only that, but STEM industries have a higher average of earnings.
Though the earnings are greater, there are less jobs available compared to not only highly educated non-STEM majors, but for those who are uneducated in non-stem fields. Compared to this data from 2017, the humanities world is still growing, with expected job openings of 36,553. This data from the Australasian Council of Deans of Arts, Social Sciences, and Humanities (DASSH) found that of that amount, “24% are likely due to new job growth”.
Being in university – even in humanitarian fields – is worthwhile, regardless of if you end up in the field of your degree. DASSH found of that of the 36,553 job opportunities, 69% of them will require a degree. And, compared to those without a degree (at bachelors level or higher), lifetime wage expectancy is between $416,960-$1,359,880 greater.
Studying humanities over STEM teaches you fundamental skills you otherwise likely wouldn’t know. Analysis, critical thinking, and persuasive communication are essential to humanities and only humanities. Anyway: study whatever you want, but especially humanities #EnglishStudentsUnite
