The humanities teach a breadth of soft skills that graduates need to succeed in the job market.

What did you find beneficial about your program at McMaster?

I had a wonderfully supportive committee and colleagues in the program.

What advice would you give to a current student who is thinking about career options?

Think about the skills, not the disciplinary knowledge, that you have. Explore career options through volunteering opportunities and informational interviews with alumni or people you find through LinkedIn or other channels. Asking strangers for interviews may sound incredibly awkward but it works! It’s a great opportunity to learn about career path options and develop a network of contacts and mentors.

In your opinion, what is the value of a Humanities degree?

The humanities teach a breadth of soft skills that graduates need to succeed in the job market: intellectual curiosity and critical thinking, persuasive communication, the ability to think and work independently, etc. The challenge for many grads is to think beyond the disciplinary knowledge to learn to identify their skill set and communicate it to prospective employers in “resumes.”

I believe that Humanities degrees help empower people who want to make a difference in this world.

What inspired you to select your program or area of study in Humanities at McMaster?

The professors and teaching assistants in the Humanities are excellent educators. The class sizes were relatively small which created a more personal learning environment. I am very pleased with my experience at McMaster University!

How do you feel that your program shaped your personal and professional development?

The Humanities programs I completed at McMaster University provided me with many valuable learning experiences which have shaped my personal and professional development.

The Humanities Faculty at McMaster teaches you how to think critically about the world we live in; these critical thinking skills have allowed me to effectively identify and address social issues within my local community.

Humanities programs help build many of the “soft skills” that employers are looking for like leadership, creativity, and problem solving.

What experience(s) were most impactful during your time at McMaster?

McMaster provided me with many valuable and impactful experiences. I loved going to lectures! The professors in the Humanities Faculty are exceptional speakers and teachers! Moreover, they are very congenial and approachable, which made my educational experience at McMaster enjoyable and engaging.

How has the versatility of a Humanities degree enabled you to succeed?

I think a Humanities degree is very versatile and valuable. Humanities programs create critical thinkers and problem solvers. In a world where we have many social issues, we need creative people who can think “outside-the-box.” We need individuals who can analyze situations and come up with ethical solutions.

Employers value employees who can communicate and collaborate with others effectively. I believe that Humanities degrees help empower people who want to make a difference in this world. I am very pleased that I completed my undergraduate education in the English and History programs, and a MA in the Department of History at McMaster University.

My program at McMaster taught me a breadth of skills beyond what you see on the surface from a history degree.

What did you find beneficial about your program at McMaster?

My program at McMaster taught me a breadth of skills beyond what you see on the surface from a history degree. Yes, there was critical thinking, reading, writing, and learning historical events. But behind those activities I learned advanced writing skills, in particular how to synthesize complex ideas and events into digestible arguments. Probably most importantly however was learning critical analysis skills like considering a source or argument from every angle and to take into consideration who is writing the stories we learn and internalize both in history and elsewhere in society.

What advice would you give to a current student who is thinking about career options?

My advice would be to keep your options, and mindset, open. The skills you learn with your degree are applicable to so many professions. The area of work I ended up in wasn’t something I knew existed when I was doing my degree however the skills I learned at McMaster and my studies beyond perfectly prepared me for it.

In your opinion, what is the value of a Humanities degree?

A degree in humanities gives you a vast amount of transferable skills that are useful in many areas of life and in countless careers. The value in learning how to think critically, analyze and synthesize information, and effectively communicate are crucial to success in nearly every situation.