We know you’ve certainly given some thought about what lies ahead for you after your studies. If you’ve considered pursuing a humanities degree you’ll have built up an idea of what sort of careers you can pursue and the options that may be available. While there are certainly some of the more common routes that graduates may take in the application of their skills, there are also some that you might not have considered or even be aware of. We take a look at some of the more unusual career trajectories for humanities graduates. You never know, it might just spark your curiosity.
Human resources
One of the benefits of a humanities degree is the stress that it places on critical interpersonal skills, which are something that many employers look for in graduates. The need to develop communication and collaborative abilities mean you’re well placed to deal with people.
In human resources being able to work effectively with people, develop plans, service the needs of employees and critically identify talent are essential. There is often a misconception that you need to have studied a business or management-related degree in order to enter the field, however, the acumen acquired in a humanities degree will serve you well. These skills include:
- Project management
- Synthesising information
- Creativity
- Communication
- Analytical ability
One further point to bear in mind is that many jobs and careers are changing constantly and so having a wide array of skills will help you succeed.
Events management
With the need for extremely refined organizational skills and expert communication, being an events manager is something that a number of humanities graduates find themselves doing. It requires attention to detail, negotiation skills, time management and aesthetic sensitivity. You may also find yourself working in a wide variety of environments for clients from vastly different sectors and backgrounds, meaning that your adaptability is key.
You’ll be managing everything from budgets to guest lists, so juggling lots of information and priorities is something you’ll be well prepared for after studying in the humanities. Don’t forget that your research abilities will also need to be top-notch looking for venues, understanding clients and getting the most for your budget. Some of the sectors you may end up working in could be:
Sometimes it is necessary to take a step back and really evaluate what your skills are and how you can match those to a potential career path.
Translation
With our globally interconnected world the interaction between people from different cultures and backgrounds is commonplace. This of course brings in to play a wide variety of languages and the ever-present risk of things getting lost in translation.
However, this is where graduates in the field of languages really come into their own. Providing a valuable translation service to businesses, governments, institutions and even students, you’ll have a niche carved out for yourself and prevent communication from breaking down.
Being a translator may mean the potential for travel, a dynamic work environment and the experience of different cultures. Some of the skills you’ll have to have in order to take up a role as a translator include:
- Excellent writing skills
- Advanced language skills
- Cultural knowledge
- Excellent technology skills
Heritage and museum curation
This may be one of the career trajectories that you had least considered when evaluating the kind of work you may do when you’ve graduated. However, working as a heritage and museum creator can be both interesting and enriching.
You definitely need to be interested in history, art and anthropology, however, the work also involves fundraising, communication, exhibition design, public relations, marketing and even business.
You could find yourself entering into agreements to loan or buy artefacts or art from other institutions or private owners. A humanities degree forms an ideal foundation for such a career with an emphasis on multifaceted skills set.
It’s important to remember that this type of work will also test your project management, design and presentation skills set, so if it piques your interest, be prepared to showcase these talents.
International diplomacy
Most of us have dreamt about travelling the world or living in a different city or country. It could be Canada, Ireland, the UK, or even New Zealand. The field of international diplomacy is one way to realise this ambition. If you’ve got an academic qualification in law, politics, international development, languages and international relations you may find an opportunity to work as a diplomat for a government or international organisation.
Naturally, you will need to be able to work under pressure, show initiative, be a natural problem solver, with lateral or divergent thinking abilities, understand different cultures and be excellent at collaboration. You could find yourself facing sensitive and complex problems that require critical thinking, a respectful approach and compromise.
While this is by no means an exhaustive list of all the potential careers you may be able to pursue having studied a humanities degree, it should give you an idea of the wide array of options available.
You may also want to have a look at whether studying humanities would be right for you, what some of the most popular humanities degrees are and what to expect when you study a degree in humanities.
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