![\"Students](\"https:\/\/www.umw.edu\/parents\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/45\/2017\/09\/21149904_10155671742726660_896449926918714435_n-300x200.jpg\")
<\/p>\nWhen I was a college student, I tried not to worry about what I was going to do with my degree after I earned it. My university (and my parents) reassured me that as a well-educated, well-spoken person, I could do anything I wanted.<\/p>\n
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Employers would value my ability to think critically, to write and speak well, and to make connections. I was enchanted by the study of the Spanish language and culture of Spain and so excited by literature and linguistics that I truly enjoyed the undergraduate years.<\/p>\n
The world has changed a lot since the time I went to college. Information flows faster and business moves at lightning speed. College costs have increased dramatically and more specialized degrees are available. Parents of college-bound students seem to focus even more on the return on investment of a major than when I was looking at programs.<\/p>\n
When my oldest child began her college search and told us that she was focusing on programs like history, museum studies, historic preservation, and classics, I did pause. I thought about the practicality of such majors and, yes, I considered her earning potential. I still believe, as a parent and as an employer, that the ability to think critically, to write and speak well, and to make connections is paramount. And the liberal arts degree has great value for teaching these skills.<\/p>\n
Think Critically<\/strong> Skills like reasoning, evaluating, problem solving, decision making, and analyzing are key to the development of business plans, marketing strategies, lobbying campaigns, successful grant proposals, technical specifications, and more. Since so much information is available so easily on the internet, critical reasoning skills are essential in understanding the core ideas and relaying them to the audience. That\u2019s what all that reading, research, and discussion is about in college-level seminars!<\/p>\n Write and Speak Well<\/strong><\/p>\n This one is key! Expertise is essential and experience is sought after, but clear, crisp communication in written and oral form is critical to success. In my field of government relations, the ability to persuade in writing and in speaking is fundamental. Crisp, clear arguments and evidence-based proposals win. If the writing is unclear or the reasoning is imprecise, you will not convince. When I hire for my team, these skills are at the top of the list. I can teach the subject matter, but I want the skills for crisp communication to be fully formed already. This is why professors insist on presentations and debate.<\/p>\n![\"Parent](\"https:\/\/www.umw.edu\/parents\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/45\/2017\/09\/21034356_10155653814731660_3598921119970498909_n-286x300.jpg\")
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