News
Alumni with humanities and social science degrees to share success stories
October 22, 2019
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"Thriving in the Job Market with your Humanities and Social Sciences Degree" is October 25.
Photo Credit: Valerie Wojciechowski
Posted on October 22, 2019
Eric Baumgarten, '12, has a degree in history and is a buyer of engine controls for General Electric Aviation.
While his degree and career path may seem disparate, Baumgarten is quick to point out that it was his liberal education at Grand Valley that gave him the tools to succeed in the business world.
"What is very clear to me now is that a lot of business roles are a lot more about learning quickly and problem solving than they are the content of the job," Baumgarten said. "Learning agility and being able to learn something deeply is really important. I have succeeded above a lot of people with traditional supply chain business degrees because I am a quick learner and able to think critically."
Baumgarten plans to join other alumni with humanities and social science degrees October 25 to discuss their paths into the professional world and how the skills honed through liberal education studies have been crucial to their success.
"Thriving in the Job Market with your Humanities and Social Sciences Degree" is scheduled for October 25, from 10-11 a.m. at the Holton-Hooker Learning and Living Center multipurpose room.
The most recent report available from the GVSU Career Center shows, as examples, 100 percent of graduates with sociology degrees are employed or pursuing advanced degrees, while 93 percent of English graduates are doing the same.
Still, students who pursue humanities and social science degrees can face pressure from others asking, "What are you going to do with that degree?" said Donovan Anderson, associate professor of German and event organizer.
"I hope this event will lead to a situation where students come out of it saying, 'I can see a point A to point B from a degree in history, for example, to a job in industry," Anderson said.
Career Center representatives will also be on hand to answer questions.
For More Information Contact: Peg West in University Communications - (616) 331-2222