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.

Many humanities graduates become professional chameleons of sorts. We leave university with these highly developed critical thinking and communication skills ...

What did you find beneficial about your program at McMaster?

Aside from the critical thinking, writing, analysis, research, and diplomacy skills, the most significant benefit gained from studying the humanities at McMaster is undoubtedly the people. The history department in particular has some of the most passionate, kind, and dedicated faculty, graduate students, and undergraduate students. While I certainly learned a lot academically from them, I learned so much more personally. Some of the best parts of my time at McMaster have very little bearing on my day to day job but everything to do with who I am while I do it.

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

Approach every aspect of your university experience as an opportunity for growth. The skills and experiences you gain will make you an asset to any business or government agency, even if they aren’t obvious to future employers. Practice explaining why critical thinking, writing, analysis, research, and diplomacy skills are vital to the success of any business. Practice explaining how participating in or facilitating seminars taught you about public speaking. In my experience, working with people and working with the public is more or less a combination of critical thinking, public speaking, and education.

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

Learning for the sake of learning is a beautiful, wonderful thing. For most of us, however, our degrees are a very expensive investment that we need to see concrete returns on, and the value of a degree in the humanities is not always apparent. I think this is in part because folks tend to think of the discipline you study as “what you do” since they often think of the popular professions you intentionally study. For example, you study to become a lawyer and you practice law. You train to become to become a welder and you weld. Humanities degrees aren’t always that linear. Many humanities graduates become professional chameleons of sorts. We leave university with these highly developed critical thinking and communication skills and can apply them to any number of industries. Never underestimate the value of the writing, analysis, research, and diplomacy skills that a degree in the humanities gives you. You have a holistic view on things that others with highly specialized degrees may not have. Because I work with engineers, I see the value of my humanities degree every day. My colleagues provide their highly technical knowledge and I provide my communications expertise. Together, we develop reports, proposals, and other documents that are accessible to both technical and non-technical folks. We make a great team!

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

What did you find beneficial about your program at McMaster?

I was enrolled in the English and History programs during my undergraduate years at McMaster University. I also had the privilege of being a part of the MA graduate History program in 2012. McMaster provided me with many valuable learning experiences. The professors in the Humanities Faculty are exceptional lecturers! Moreover, they are very congenial and approachable which made my educational experience at McMaster enjoyable and engaging. The weekly tutorials led by passionate Teaching Assistants provided an avenue to discuss interesting subject matter with likeminded individuals. These tutorials, as well as the seminars that I took with professors in my senior years, provided opportunities to hone my communication skills, collaborate with others, and express my opinions. 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. I learned how to view texts, media, people, and the world more through various lenses, which has led me to be a more empathetic and caring educator. I also made lifelong friendships with amazing people! The comradery and social network within the History and English departments is excellent! Overall, I met wonderful people and gained important skills that have led me to be successful on my career path.

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

I would highly recommend students to obtain a degree in a Humanities program at McMaster University. Humanities programs help build many of the “soft skills” that employers are look for like communication, collaboration, leadership, creativity, and critical thinking. I have had multiple supervisory positions in the non-profit social-service sector; the ability to analyze situations and societal problems through various lenses has helped me come up with ingenuitive, creative solutions. Currently, I am employed as a teacher. I have been able to foster critical thinking skills in my students. Many of my close friends who obtained a degree from the Humanities Faculty at McMaster have been successful in a variety of fields: teaching, law, social-services, banking, business, medical management, human resources, and editing.

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

I think a Humanities degree is very valuable. Humanities programs create critical thinkers and problem solvers. In a world where we have many social issues plaguing society, we need creative people who can think “outside-the-box.” We need people who can analyze situations and come up with multiple ethical solutions. Humanities programs foster the skills needed to succeed in all employment sectors. Employers value employees who can communicate and collaborate with others effectively. I learned how to collaborate during my university years at McMaster; I have taken this skill and used it to help bring community groups and the education sector in Hamilton together to benefit many young people, giving them access to resources and supports that they may not otherwise have had. Being able to effectively argue your point of view and write succinctly are also two very important skills that you learn from a Humanities degree that you can use in many career fields. Lastly, I believe that Humanities degrees help empower people who want to make a difference in this world. I am very pleased that I completed an arts degree in the English and History departments at McMaster University.