As an English major, I often hear nay-sayers question the usefulness or profitability of my degree. This attitude toward English – and the liberal arts in general – reflects a wider societal problem, not just my isolated experience.

In a society obsessed with STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics), we often tell students that these careers are the only way to make a living or benefit humanity. While STEM is certainly crucial, this shouldn't decrease the value we place on the liberal arts. If our culture is to thrive, we must recognize that the liberal arts are critical to success and fulfillment in society.

Many arguments have been raised to show the “uselessness" of the liberal arts. For example, many point to the financial disadvantages of such degrees. Studies have shown that early in their careers, liberal arts graduates are more likely than STEM majors to be underpaid or unemployed. As a result, numerous people believe a liberal arts education is not worth the cost of attending college.

Another argument against the liberal arts claims these studies aren't specialized enough to prepare students for a specific career. STEM degrees are deemed more valuable for gaining technical and professional skills that can be directly applied to certain occupations. Since liberal arts degrees don't teach proficiency in one specific area of work, people take this as proof that such an “abstract" education cannot possibly be applicable in the real world.

However, these arguments demonstrate a misunderstanding about the true value of the liberal arts. For instance, liberal arts graduates may not learn narrow, technical skills, but they do gain marketable skills that employers value, such as critical thinking, written and oral communication, and problem solving. In addition, liberal arts students receive a broad, encompassing education, which gives them the freedom to explore a variety of careers. The skills they learn don't limit them to specific areas of work.

In fact, many successful individuals in the business world, including the CEOs of Starbucks, Walt Disney, and YouTube, graduated with liberal arts degrees. In addition, some of the top-paying careers for liberal arts graduates include economics and public relations. These people and statistics are living proof of the flexibility that liberal arts majors possess to enter a variety of fields – as well as showing that these degrees don't necessarily doom you to a life of poverty and unemployment.

Speaking of finances, a study showed that while liberal arts graduates may earn less than their STEM counterparts immediately after graduation, they actually earn more on average at the peak of their careers (ages 56-60). Because liberal arts majors have the skills to enter a variety of careers, they can more easily adapt to a changing job market, giving them an advantage in the long-term over their competitors who have narrow, specialized expertise.

Of course, the liberal arts go beyond providing success in today's job market and economy. They help us find the beauty in exploring the world, connecting with other people, and finding the core of humanity. Through studying liberal arts subjects like theater, writing, and art, we can combine a rational, analytical view of the world with our human creativity. Furthermore, the arts often center around telling stories, which help us make sense of the world, explore different time periods and cultures, and see ourselves through a different lens. We can also find moral, emotional, and spiritual meaning in the world through the humanities, more so than with a strictly scientific interpretation of the universe.

Another element to consider is the sense of belonging and community fostered by the liberal arts. Subjects like history and literature help us gain a sense of who we are as a society by learning where we've been, and how the past impacts us today. By studying these subjects, we create bonds with other people as we explore our shared past. The liberal arts can also help us communicate shared emotions, values, and perceptions of the world. In addition, they can foster the pursuit of knowledge in the public square, as people evaluate the world, synthesize their analysis, and form new ideas – rather than simply spouting off memorized facts.

Essentially, the liberal arts can ground us in the real world of jobs and finances while elevating us to higher thought, imagination, and wonder. As I continue pursuing my English degree, I look forward to all of the opportunities afforded to liberal arts majors. Above all, I appreciate the challenge to find value in the past while preparing in the present for a bright, fulfilling future.