Autumn Tyler received a bachelor’s degree in sociology with an emphasis in social stratification from the University of North Texas. She is currently a master’s student at the University of Colorado-Boulder studying media and public engagement. She said her background in sociology has helped immensely with her work in media studies.
Her liberal arts education provided a solid foundation for a lot of the main concepts and theories that are discussed within the field. Because of this, she is able to make connections and applications that some of her classmates have difficulties with.
Her background in sociology has most helped in developing her thesis: a photo essay that looks at black lgbt+ artists from the south, and the use of their different artistic mediums as a way to reclaim space.
“Specifically, I am able to use interviewing techniques that I learned from my qualitative methods course and use them to interview participants for the photo essay that I am working on for my thesis project,” said Tyler.
The biggest takeaway Tyler received from her liberal arts education was how to critically think and write well.
“Sociology is nothing but critical thinking — especially for those who primarily work with qualitative methods. It takes a lot to analyze the same document or image for hours, days, or even weeks on end,” said Tyler.
Having gone through the process of receiving her degree, and subsequently using it in her current studies, Tyler has some advice for students currently pursuing a liberal arts education.
“Never doubt your degree or the coursework that comes with it. You may not be a STEM major, but your degree still holds a great deal of value. If one career doesn’t pan out, you can still explore a new field and take comfort in knowing that you’re not pigeonholed to only one field.”
Storm Monteiro believes her undergraduate degree in international studies prepared her well for her master’s study in global media.
“My undergraduate degree really prepared me for the reading load and how to think critically and to write a well crafted paper. Also, it helped with theory preparation which I used in my Theories in Mass Communication class,” said Monteiro.
The biggest thing she’s gotten from her liberal arts education is how to think critically and form her own opinions.
“I learned how to challenge general ideas, notions, and opinions, as well as formulate my own. It prepared me to consider the impact human behavior has on the world,” said Monteiro.
The skills she acquired from the writing-intensive international studies degree has helped her to secure several freelance jobs as a content creator.
“If you know how to write well, the job flow will be endless. Companies will always need content creators who know how to write well,” said Monteiro
Monteiro’s education has helped her succeed in her graduate studies and job market. To students she has the following advice:
“Your education is turning you into a fluent, well rounded human, and that is not only an advantage not only in the market place, but in how you go about your average day.”
