By: Hailey Colwell

In an unstable job market, many students are turning to majors that assure job security after college.

But it’s still important for colleges to make the case for a liberal arts education, according to a recent report by the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.

Although the public has progressively placed more value on training for a specific career, colleges and universities have a duty to defend the skills gained from a humanities education, according to the report. These “broader” skills — like understanding other cultures and social situations — may make it easier for students to adapt to an ever-changing workforce. 

A liberal arts education may not always point to a specific job, but in the current economy it’s not the only type of degree with uncertain employment prospects, said University of Minnesota creative writing assistant professor Peter Campion. 

“Everybody has trouble finding jobs right now,” he said.

In the University’s College of Liberal Arts, “[I]t’s budget cut after budget cut,” Campion said, so now is an important time to justify supporting the University’s humanities programs.

“It’s going to take a team effort of teachers, students and administrators who really care,” he said.

CLA is transitioning from longtime dean James Parente , who announced in March his plans to step down at the end of June. Raymond Duvall, a political science professor, will serve as interim dean until a permanent replacement is selected.

The transition is a crucial time for securing the future of the liberal arts at the University, Campion said, and the new dean could head this effort.

“We have a good opportunity right now to use this search for a new dean,” he said, “and that can make a difference.”