Liberal Arts is the Best Education and Path for Students; Game On

Education is the process of drawing out the best in an individual, helping them realize their potential and develop moral and intellectual virtues. Plato

Recently I attended a Presidential Inauguration at a liberal arts institution. As part of the ceremonies the student choir sang two songs, both beautiful and moving. It reminded me how valuable a Liberal Arts education is and that it is under attack.

There is clear momentum to turn higher education or assess higher education around one core benefit, a job/career outcome. The national discussion on the value of higher education is highly focused on evaluating higher education's ROI based on cost vs. starting salaries. Additionally, comparing this ROI lens to trade schools and other alternative paths to a job. Of course, if this is the only lens one looks through the ROI of cheaper and faster paths to a job will look better in the short term. But they are not.

A career path is critical and I am not going to suggest this is not a vital and important part of what our higher education programs need to deliver on. They do need to launch students into good jobs and career paths.

But, that is not all that is important. And there is more to the ROI story than that.

There was a time being "learned" and "educated" and "well rounded" was considered valuable. I believe it still is, in fact, I think it is more valuable today than ever, and a Liberal Arts education is still one of the best paths for students of all ages to be more than the sum of their trade skills.

A liberal arts education is better than trade schools, certificates and other fast to job paths even if the starting salaries are the same after you finish. The ROI of a liberal arts degree is priceless in life and the financial ROI will catch up in the end.

There is value in reading great literature, learning music, discussing philosophy and participating in the arts even if you are studying to be an engineer, doctor, lawyer, marketing professional, or a plumber, an electrician, a construction worker.

Travel is a great example. The value of travel is well understood and appreciated. The Vacation Confidence Index forecasted Americans would spend more than $200 billion on summer vacations in 2023.

We understand that travel:

• Broadens your understanding of different cultures
• Forces you to be a good planner and problem solver when things go wrong
• Exposes you to interesting people
• Allows you to discover new histories, new food and new perspectives.

Travel expands our thinking, makes us more interesting as people, helps us connect with others more richly, it's ROI is priceless. This is also true for a Liberal Arts education.

Here is Princeton Universities definition of a Liberal Arts education:

"A liberal arts education offers an expansive intellectual grounding in all kinds of humanistic inquiry.

By exploring issues, ideas and methods across the humanities and the arts, and the natural and social sciences, you will learn to read critically, write cogently and think broadly. These skills will elevate your conservations in the classroom and strengthen your social and cultural analysis; they will cultivate the tools necessary to allow you to navigate the world's most complex issues."

Sure you can chase a job first, but I suggest you learn first, then get a job.

My masters degree is in Liberal Studies, my bachelors is in finance. And without a doubt my Liberal Studies classes are more memorable, were more thought provoking and helped me realize; I can learn anything. Its the best skill I have, undaunted by any subject, I know I can learn it.

Some areas of Liberal Arts:

Humanities & The Arts

Embrace studying history, philosophy, religion, literature, performing arts, and media for example.

Two of my favorite authors are J.R.R. Tolkien and C.S. Lewis. How much more rich life is reading through the world's these two literary giants have put on paper.

Speaking about a rich and moving experience, have you enjoyed the theater, a symphony or a concert of any type? Have you read Taylor Swift's poetry?

Like travel, the humanities enriches you and your entire life. Don't skip it.

Natural and Social Sciences

Take a step into the natural sciences like biology, chemistry, and mathematics, or the social sciences which include economics, political science, psychology and sociology.

Sure you can get a job, but do you understand what GDP is? Understand the basic mechanics of supply and demand? Are you excited about being an active citizen in this amazing republic we call America? You find this in a Liberal Arts education.

I have a passion for all things economics, how our economy moves and what moves it. It was in college I found the underlying concepts of capitalism and the invisible hand of markets interesting. It has served me well throughout my life to be interested and knowledge about such things.

Sure you can just get a job first, but I suggest you shouldn't. Don't skip this.

A Liberal Arts education is worth the investment. It is both personally enriching, life preparing and yes, helps you in whatever career you choose.

It is time to start making the case that higher education, a liberal arts education, is the best path for all or darn near close to all students of all ages. Including helping more, not less, high schools graduates find their path to a liberal arts education before passing it over.

Don't skip learning more than skills to do a job, learn the skills to navigate life.