The role of a liberal arts education in today’s economy

The role of a liberal arts education in today’s economy

2022-07-13T10:07:14-04:00May 27th, 2022|Education, Tampa Bay|

Saint Leo University

Writer: Alejandro Sanchez 

2 min read May  2022— Despite an increase in demand for professionals with a background in technology, soft skills and critical thinking remain a vital component of what employers expect in the workplace. As a result, schools are committed to continue offering a curriculum with a strong base in liberal arts education. Invest: spoke to higher education leaders in Tampa Bay about the fundamental role liberal arts education plays in today’s economy. 

Ken AtwaterKen Atwater, President, Hillsborough Community College

Most people will assume humanities is not necessary in today’s markets, but that is so far from the truth. We look for well-rounded students in technical and trade skills, and those industries are demanding advanced communication skills to better serve and interact with customers. This is true from customer service representatives to nurses. Soft skills training is essential for any hard skill in the 21st century, and it is as true now as it has ever been. From a professional development perspective, it is important that workers can communicate the skills, expertise, and experience from their jobs to find better-paying careers. Even with our heavy equipment training program, I am amazed by how much employers want excellent communication skills to be a part of our students’ training.

Rhea Law, President, University of South Florida

I would say that liberal arts teaches you a way to think and gives you skill sets you need in a business. There is an opportunity to marry those soft skills with the technical knowledge acquired in a particular field of study, which helps us create a whole new employee for our industries. You must be able to interact, communicate and collaborate to work with others in any industry. 

Damián Fernández, President, Eckerd College

The skills that the liberal arts focus on are the skills that you need for a creative economy. Those are quantitative skills but also critical-thinking skills that come from creativity through the arts. It is a sense of ethics and what leads to a good life. There is no more pressing issue for the United States than a conversation around what the common good is. Eckerd also has a strength in the sciences. We are the place where these things cross-fertilize and students not only develop skills, but they develop a commitment to purpose and to actions that are ethically based. 

Jeffrey Senese, President, Saint Leo University

Liberal arts degrees are still needed in terms of being able to communicate well with others and sharing your ideas concisely. It’s important for one to know how to piece together a coherent argument. AI and augmented reality can’t take over the human ability to do these types of things. In an increasingly automated world, the skills attained through a liberal arts degree still matter. The underpinning of liberal arts will always remain; it won’t disappear. It will only evolve.

For more information: 

Welcome to Saint Leo University | Saint Leo, FL

Liberal Arts College in Florida – Eckerd College

https://www.usf.edu/ 

Home | Hillsborough Community College (hccfl.edu)

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