An all too common question that most students with any major in the humanities hear is, “And what are you going to do with that degree?”
For those of us who study Classics, that question usually comes after having to explain what exactly Classical Studies even is. After clarifying that we occupy ourselves with ancient texts rather than Shakespeare and other comparatively modern “Classical Literature,” we then get to describe the grand plans we have with our future Classics degrees.
If we’re lucky, we might actually have some inkling of a plan. But many of us respond with the honest and succinct reply of, “No clue.”
Luckily, students don’t really have to have a concrete plan of what they want to do after college. Of course it’s advisable to have an idea of a likely profession, but it’s not necessary to map out your life before you’ve even graduated. But without a plan, it can get a bit nerve-wracking.
At first glance, the field of Classical Studies doesn’t seem to have much of a future in the United States. Many classics programs have been downsized or cut completely in the last decades. The usefulness of an education on ancient languages and culture is constantly questioned, since there are few obvious applications of the degree other than teaching. And with the number of teaching positions in the field of Classics declining, that may not seem the most promising plan either.
But should such fears dissuade anyone who is interested in the field from studying Classics? Should Classics programs be cut? Definitely not!
As it turns out, Classical Studies prepare students exceedingly well for a large range of careers and graduate studies. Due to the vast diversity of the studies, the skills learned in the major can be applied to a great number of career fields. The student resource “What Can I Do With This Major?” exemplifies very well the vast number of fields and careers Classics students can choose from.
The major as a whole provides a student with a broadened world perspective, as well as outstanding critical thinking and analysis abilities. The intellectual training of a Classics degree is almost incomparable. As discussed in this article, Classics majors are actually some of the highest scorers on the LSAT, the entrance exam for law school, which is designed to test critical thinking and reasoning skills. Classics students often score better than students with majors recommended to prepare for law school, such as Pre-Law and Political Science.
In defense of Classics programs in North Carolina, professor Michael Sloan summarizes the benefits of studying Classics:
“Classics and other disciplines in a liberal arts curriculum offer students a rare opportunity to listen to the minds of their ancestors, wrestle with profound questions and better understand human behavior. Global leaders recognize that students from a liberal arts environment emerge with nimble and adaptable minds trained to wrestle with complex ideas and discover innovative solutions—essential in our uncertain world.”
