Career Paths

Learn about career paths in Humanities


Marketable Skills

The Humanities Department at College of the Mainland currently houses no official programs or majors. Most of the students taking classes in the Humanities Department are planning to earn an A.A. in General Studies or are enrolled in other programs. Some students also take Humanities classes to earn credits toward a four-year degree at another university. All Humanities courses except for IRW courses are “transfer credits,” meaning they usually transfer to a four-year college or university, although individual institutions retain final decision-making power for transfer credits.

While many students earning an A.A. in General Studies plan to attend a four-year university and earn a bachelor’s degree in a specific major, an A.A. in General Studies can prepare students for better opportunities in general business employment by giving them a credential beyond the high-school diploma. Classes in the Humanities disciplines specifically can help students become stronger thinkers, writers, and speakers, all qualities valued by employers seeking employees who are flexible and creative in their management of tasks.

All students taking Humanities classes for any degree here or at another school will benefit from being exposed to strategies and models for creative and critical thinking, persuasive writing, and creative problem-solving. In addition, the broad knowledge and scholarly habits gained across a variety of classes will help students to become more flexible and adaptable as they navigate inevitable changes to the workplace.

Humanities classes also help students to become more compassionate and empathetic human beings, able to get along with and relate to others and increasing their likelihood that they will be retained in employment.

In terms of concrete skills, students in Humanities classes learn concrete skills in communicating, writing, research, revision, and planning that will help them be successful and potentially emerge as leaders in the career of their choice.

Information for COM General Studies majors


Humanities Majors

Students interested in the Humanities may opt to major in a Humanities discipline when they complete a four-year degree. Such majors include Philosophy, Communication, English, and Humanities.

A four-year degree in any liberal arts can be an excellent foundation for an entry-level position in any number of general business industries, as employers value flexibility, deep knowledge, clear communication, and creative thinking. A liberal-arts degree can also be excellent training for graduate or professional school.

Specific degrees may also be especially suitable for working in certain occupations. Those holding a bachelor’s degree in English, for instance, may find employment in the following careers (some jobs may require additional certification):

  • High-school English teacher
  • Editor
  • Technical Writer
  • Content Writer
  • Document and Publications Management
  • Public Relations

As a sample within this field, here is some information on job outlook and salary expectations for post-secondary teachers (from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics). In addition to English teachers, high schools also employ teachers in media studies, communication, and speech.

Quick Facts: High School Teachers
2015 Median Pay $57,200 per year
Typical Entry-Level Education Bachelor's degree
Work Experience in a Related Occupation None
On-the-job Training Internship/residency
Number of Jobs, 2014 961,600
Job Outlook, 2014-24 6% (As fast as average)
Employment Change, 2014-24 55,900

For information on other Humanities majors and related occupations, please visit the website for the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.


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