Why the Humanities Are Important Now More Than Ever

As artificial intelligence (AI) makes it easier than ever to find answers that once required research and critical thought, it's reasonable to wonder whether studying the humanities is still practical. The humanities are areas of study that invite us into dialogue with the ideas, values, stories and questions that have shaped how people live and see the world.

As one of the hosts of the "Passion and Practicality" podcast, I talk with Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) graduates about how humanities education connects to careers. My perspective is also shaped by doctoral research that included interviews with hiring managers.

Graduates of humanities-focused programs often describe career journeys that led them to places they could not have imagined when they started, and they frequently credit what they learned in college with helping them adapt and grow into unexpected but fulfilling roles.

The Role of Humanities in a Tech-Driven World

That ability to stay adaptable and keep growing will matter even more as AI changes how we work. Deloitte’s 2024 Global Human Capital Trends report identified curiosity, imagination, empathy and resilience as qualities that will continue to matter in the workplace (Deloitte PDF source). Deloitte is one of the world’s largest business consulting firms, and its research helps employers understand what workers need to succeed in a changing economy.

You may already have foundational skills in these areas, but humanities programs such as English, history, philosophy and creative writing can give you opportunities to develop them into strengths and learn how to apply them in different situations. You can also begin building this foundation through general education programs that include humanities courses.

People sometimes assume that skills like communication, judgment and empathy come naturally and do not need to be developed. I heard a similar question when I chose English as my bachelor’s degree: Why study English if I already speak it?

But studying English involves reading closely, developing an informed point of view and understanding perspectives that are different from your own. These practices strengthen how we communicate, reason through complex issues and engage with others.

After I earned my Bachelor of Arts (BA) in English, my new manager told me that one reason they hired me was that my degree suggested I would be able to write well for customers. As a 20-something, entry-level applicant, I was surprised. In school, I rarely heard anyone make such a clear link between what I was studying and how it would help me contribute as an employee.

Years later, in my doctoral research, I found that executives and hiring managers often understood the value of humanities education better than many of its critics. They recognized that humanities study helps people make sense of complex situations, make thoughtful decisions and communicate effectively.

In a recent Business Insider article, Daniela Amodei, co-founder of Anthropic, a company that develops advanced AI systems, said that studying the humanities is going to be “more important than ever” because the abilities that make us distinctly human will remain essential as AI becomes more capable.

What Skills Do You Gain From Studying the Humanities?

When your degree path includes subjects that explore people and society, such as literature, history, philosophy, creative writing and the arts, you immerse yourself in dialogue with ideas that have shaped how people live and see the world.

Active Inquiry

This gives you a habit of looking beneath the surface and asking why.

Why did the Artemis II crew choose to name their spacecraft ‘Integrity’? Why might your colleagues and neighbors see the same issue differently than you do? How do we make informed and thoughtful decisions in a world we share with other people and living beings?

Questions like these are the starting point for learning, and the habit of asking them can help you adapt to a world being reshaped by new technologies, economic change and evolving expectations about work.

Teamwork and Leadership

Humanities study can also support teamwork and leadership. Humanities courses build foundations for effective teamwork by helping you practice communicating, considering other perspectives and working through complex questions.

As an academic leader, I have found that understanding different perspectives, making sense of complicated situations, and communicating clearly are a large part of my job.

The World Economic Forum identified abilities expected to grow in importance as work changes, including:

• Curiosity
• Flexibility
• Leadership
• Lifelong learning
• Resilience

That is one reason humanities study can serve you not only in your first role, but throughout a career that evolves over time.

Adaptability

One of the greatest strengths of a humanities education is the versatility and adaptability it can help you develop.

Through the “Passion and Practicality" podcast, I have had the opportunity to talk with graduates whose careers took unexpected turns. Some started in creative fields and moved into technology. Others combined interests in language, history or writing with work in healthcare, public service or business. Their careers look different, but they often describe drawing on their curiosity, adaptability and willingness to keep learning.

If you’re considering a degree program, some questions to ask include:

• What job can this lead to?
• How well will this prepare you for jobs and opportunities that you cannot yet predict?
• Will it hold your interest?
• Will it help you develop strengths that employers value?
• Can the strengths you develop help you contribute to work you find meaningful?

Why Human Skills Matter in the Age of AI

Imagine you are a manager seeking a new hire who can work effectively with AI.

AI can generate information, summarize documents and produce polished responses in seconds. But someone still needs to decide whether a response is accurate and suitable for the people it may affect. These are the kinds of questions students grapple with in first-year composition as they evaluate sources, develop arguments and consider the needs of their audiences across different contexts.

Technology can help us work more efficiently, but it does not eliminate our responsibility for the choices we make. Whether we are leading a team, working with customers, designing a product or participating in our communities, people remain accountable for how AI is used and for the consequences of the decisions that follow.

Sometimes, good judgment may mean revising an AI-generated response extensively. At other times, it may mean deciding that AI is not the right tool at all, particularly when a difficult conversation, sensitive decision or important human relationship requires our full attention. As AI becomes more capable, the responsibility to make those distinctions does not disappear. If anything, it becomes more important.

Read more: How to Learn Artificial Intelligence (Plus Helpful Courses and Skills)

Choosing A Humanities Major

In "Hacking College," a book intended to help students and the advisors, educators and families supporting them think differently about college success, writers Ned Laff and Scott Carlson encouraged readers to look beyond choosing a major. Instead, they recommend connecting interests and aspirations with a more intentional, personalized educational path.

Personally, I did not choose English because I saw it as a versatile degree. I chose it because I needed a program that would hold my attention, satisfy my imagination and desire for big ideas and connection, and help me feel a sense of belonging over four years of college. As an introvert and a deep thinker who found comfort and escape in books, those elements were essential to my success and ultimately helped me get to graduation.

Many of the business, leadership and strategy skills I use today came later through experience, mentorship and learning on the job. What my education gave me was a foundation in critical thinking, communication and reflection that supported continued learning and growth.

If you want to study history because you loved it throughout elementary, middle and high school, I support that decision. I would encourage you to think intentionally about careers, gain practical experience along the way and remain open to opportunities you can not yet imagine.

I might also suggest pairing that interest with a minor or certificate in an area such as AI or business. (Learn more about how a minor is different from a major and concentration.)

At the same time, I feel confident that a strong education, combined with curiosity, adaptability and a willingness to keep learning, could open many different paths.

Today, practicality can mean versatility as well as preparation for a specific role. As technology, the economy and the workplace continue to change, many of us may need to adapt and grow in directions we cannot yet predict. In that environment, preparing for a range of possibilities can be just as important as preparing for one job.

Citing an analysis of LinkedIn hiring data, Investopedia reported that English was the most versatile of 20 popular majors, with 69% of recent graduates working outside the field’s top two industries. That finding speaks to the many different directions graduates can take their education over time.

Is Majoring in the Humanities Worth It?

When deciding if a humanities major is worth it for you, consider:

• The credits you already have
• The time and cost required to complete the program
• How you plan to engage in career exploration while you're in school

A program that genuinely holds your interest may help you remain engaged, but interest is strongest when paired with intentional planning.

Careers are shaped by many factors. Humanities degrees can position you for many kinds of work rather than one clearly defined profession. That's one of their greatest strengths, but it also means career exploration should begin early.

Exploring possible careers while you’re still in school can help you:

• See what type of work is possible
• Connect with people doing work that interests you
• Make informed decisions about your education
• Build your resume with relevant experience

Talk with people doing work that interests you. Use your college's career resources. At SNHU, Career Services can help you explore occupations, connect with employers and identify opportunities to build experience while you're still in school.

You can also combine humanities study with more applied preparation. A technical minor or certificate can add job-specific knowledge to a humanities degree. In the other direction, communication, history or philosophy can bring attention to context, ethics and human impact within a technical field. The right combination will depend on you and the future you want to begin exploring.

So, What Are the Advantages of Humanities?

The future will require us to continuously learn new and evolving technical skills. It will also require people who are willing to keep learning, take responsibility for difficult decisions and consider how change affects other people.

That is why I believe the humanities remain both practical and powerful. They can help us prepare for work, but their value is not limited to a first job or career path.

They also give us ways to recognize beauty, interpret meaning, understand other people and remain curious about the world we share. For many of us, that's what drew us to the humanities in the first place.

When humanities study is paired with practical experience and intentional career exploration, passion and practicality do not need to compete. They can help sustain and guide each other.

Dr. Julie Minnaugh is a senior associate dean of liberal arts at Southern New Hampshire University. With a background in English, education and higher education leadership, she has spent nearly a decade in curriculum design and academic leadership at SNHU. She is passionate about helping humanities students connect their education to meaningful career opportunities.