Maybe we should begin to think of calling in a different way. Instead of envisioning a smooth, straight pathway to the perfect career we should think of it as a bumpy, winding road with many detours and stops along the way. Maybe a calling isn’t a message but rather is the pathway itself where everyone of our decisions leads us to what we are meant to become.

In the United States there are fewer than 200 private liberal arts colleges out of the 1,500 universities that exist which makes those 200 schools quite special. Many people recognize that a liberal arts school is out of the ordinary but simply do not understand what it means to receive a liberal arts education. Liberal arts is defined as “Academic subjects such as literature, philosophy, mathematics, and social and physical sciences as distinct from professional and technical subjects”. In other words, liberal arts focuses on a holistic and well-rounded education; it encourages a foundation of  knowledge about a wide range of subjects. With a liberal arts education it is not necessary for a person to choose a single major or specific career goal. Students are presented with an array of perspectives that educate the whole person and skills that prepare them for successful careers. Normally students are required to take a class in humanities, social sciences, arts and basic science while studying classes related to their majors.

Many employers say that they are looking for so-called “soft skills” in their employees which may include communication, critical thinking and adaptability. The reason a liberal arts education is appealing to employers is because it teaches a wide range of these types of skills. It teaches a person to question and critically think about what they are learning instead of taking the subject matter as it is presented; challenging all preconceived opinions. Communication is one of the most important skills employers look for. In his classical work, On Liberty, J.S. Mill contends that in order for a person to be trusted with the full measure of liberty they must openly discuss their opinions with others. He argues that a person becomes more intelligent and better at critical thinking when they are more open-minded to the ideas of others and opinions that diverge from their own perspectives. Liberal arts takes on the role of opening up this discussion.

As stated before, liberal education does not force a student to choose a specific career path but instills a variety of  skills that can be useful in any job. When a student majors in history she is not forced to be a history teacher but rather can explore other interests because she is  able to apply what she learned in the major to any job situation through the skills acquired from the liberal arts. With this ability it becomes much easier for a person to pursue their true calling.

College is an investment for the future and a student should receive as many benefits as possible. Because liberal arts appeals to employers it is already going to benefit a student’s future but it also assists the student by broadening one’s world view and enriching one’s character. It creates a better understanding of self. By learning about other perspectives and cultures, students are able to create their own values and opinions that are completely true to themselves. Higher education is not just about employment, even if it may be the main reason people attend; it also is beneficial in the goal of living a fulfilling life. Community is the center of our lives. The values and character that liberal arts develop transform into responsibility that we can then transfer onto our community’s needs. Wherever our values fall, we are capable of applying our skills in order to improve other people’s lives and our own.

St. Norbert College has recently introduced a new major to it’s incoming students called Integrative Studies. Integrative studies is a fairly new concept at both colleges and universities. The main goal is to blend personal experiences, information and perspectives, developing the ability to connect one context to another. Students can design their own specific course that is most suitable for them and their goals. It is also a model for liberal arts education. Because liberal arts focuses on teaching a wide range of subjects, integrative studies is beneficial in its ability to build bridges. Not only does it connect different subjects, it also integrates learning into the work world; between personal experiences and the community. Currently, employers have been concerned with the fact that college students are remaining at entry level positions instead of advancing in the workplace. The integrative study major teaches students the skills they need to not just land a job but how to be successful through promotions by communicating effectively, collaborating, using initiative and solving problems. It also reinforces the idea that students should have a better understanding of themselves through the personalization of classes. Most importantly this major does not limit a student to a single job but promotes exploration of skills and new perspectives.

When adults in my life asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up I can remember saying nun, teacher, microbiologist, and veterinarian. All of these were just careers I had been told about; other people’s thoughts they had ingrained in my mind. Now, I would say I do not want to be anything. Rather, I want to become something because I am unique and I don’t want to be like anyone else. I want to become a critical thinker, I want to become open-minded, I want to become successful, I want to become what I was called to be. I don’t want to limit myself to one job for the rest of my life. The combination of a liberal arts education and integrative studies major will enable me to become whatever I want to be, whenever I want to for the rest of my life.

Works Cited

“Dashboard.” Liberal Arts Colleges, John Stuart Mill, On Liberty, Edited, and with an Introduction by Currin V. Shields. (Upper Saddle River, NJ) Prentice-Hall, 1956.

www.liberalartscolleges.com/exactly-where-are-the-liberal-arts-schools/l.