English majors deal with abstract thoughts and theories on a daily basis. After all, the books we read are physical entities in one sense, but ultimately the ideas they convey are abstract. While career counselors, parents, and even some professors insist that studying business, science, and technology are the best ways to ensure a lucrative career, a study conducted by Marketplace and The Chronicle of Higher Education shows that studying the liberal arts, abstract concepts in all, may be a better way to go. Surveys have shown that employers are looking for applicants and college graduates who can demonstrate proficiency in the abstract process of creating and organizing ideas, something that a strict focus on technology might not teach you.
The article also stresses that employers are looking for applicants who have put these skills into action specifically through internships, for such experience is a must have. Across the board, employers see internships as the most essential credential for applicants, even more important than your grades and test scores. Thus, it is important to recognize that a focus on the liberal arts is not separate from career preparation, but rather that the two are linked together, and the way to demonstrate these skills is through a successful internship during college. Read the full article below for the research, facts, and even some tips on how to prepare for these abstract-minded and internship-oriented employers.