Why Liberal Arts?

The liberal arts takeÌýyou places

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All of the components in my life were part of the learning process that gave me the confidence to jump off the dock and do this. I had no anticipation when I was 20 years old and graduating from CU that in 2019, I would be a kelp farmer in Prince Wales Island. You never know how things will turn out until you try.

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Ìý Read Markos Scheer's Story

For Markos Scheer (PoliSci’90),Ìýtime studying in the College of Arts and Sciences yielded more than just a degree.ÌýIt built the foundation for a topsy-turvy career that would eventually land him off the coast of southeastern Alaska doing something he never expected: launching the largest kelp farm of its kind in the United States.

Scheer is one of legions of the college's alumni to benefit from the knowledge and skills cultivated by a liberal arts education. Those skills—critical thinking, communication, creativity—not only allow students to prepare for jobs that may be immediately ahead; it prepares them for careers not yet even imagined.

If you believe the liberal arts will lead you into a dead-end career, consider the value andÌýthink again.

The liberal arts deliver results

Pundits often warn of the death of the liberal arts. It's a popular narrative,Ìýbut it happens to be incorrect. The career outcomes of liberal arts graduates everywhere are good.ÌýThe job market for workers with skills derived from the liberal arts is broad and growing; and, importantly, those skills are key to the success of those approaching the employment world of tomorrow.

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93%

of employers say that candidates' demonstrated capacity to think critically, communicate clearly and solve complex problems is more important than their undergraduate major

55%

of employers want recent graduates to have both field-specific knowledge and skills as well as a broad range of knowledge and skills

4 of 5

employers agree that all students should acquire broad knowledge in the liberal arts and sciences

96%

of employers want employees with ethical judgment, integrity and intercultural skills.

Source: The Association of American Colleges and Universities

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The liberal arts help you find your voice

"I’ve always been passionate about World War II art theft recovery. This summer, I had the great privilege for searching for art once looted by the Nazi’s.

While I did not necessarily find the physical paintings,ÌýI did find what likely happened to the paintings. The Holocaust Memorial Museum sent me interview notes taken while interviewing Peter Max Victor in which he explained that a SS officer purchased part of his family’s assets in 1939. The Nazis were focusing on confiscating art throughout apartments and museums, it is very likely that at least one of these paintings ended up with this officer.

The story is as equally important as finding the art itself."

Hone your skills

In middle school, Jessica Rea (Neuro, MCDBio'19) was fascinated by the gruesome injury of Phineas Gage, a railroad foreman who miraculously survived an 1848 explosion that shot a three-foot-long iron rod through his skull, destroying much of his left frontal lobe. Rea became so fascinated, in fact, that she is making a career studying the workings of the brain.

In December, Rea was named the fall 2019 outstanding graduate of the College of Arts and Sciences at the ÁñÁ«ÊÓƵ18. She earned a bachelor’s in neuroscience,Ìýsumma cum laude, and a second degree in molecular, cellular and developmental biology. Additionally, she attained a minor in business.

Read Jessica Rea's story

And adapt to a changing world.

Philip Staehelin (IntlAf, Econ'91)’s passion for innovation has made him well-known and respected in the business circles of Prague (his home since 1994) and Central Europe. Today he advises many companies and startups and co-owns Central Europe’s oldest startup accelerator, plus he holds an MBA from INSEAD, often ranked the top business school in the world.

But it’s CU Boulder’s liberal arts education he credits for kick starting his creativity.Ìý

“It’s all about constantly challenging the status quo … thinking how something can be done differently. It gives you a better chance to become a creative rule breaker that can recreate the world around us.â€Ìý

Read Philip Staehelin's Story

How alumni benefit

$ 79,626

Average salary, arts & humanities alums

$ 78,065

Average salary, social sciences alums

$ 80,796

Average salary, natural sciences alums

Study Abroad Students in Argentina

88 %

of alumni find success within six months of graduation.

Photograph of Recent Graduates

92 %

of liberal arts alumni report being satisfied or very satisfied with their jobs.

See our alumni outcomes

Grad Student Collecting Data

78 %

of alums who pursued graduate school were accepted to their first-choice school.