That 'Useless' Liberal Arts Degree Has Become Tech's Hottest Ticket.

For once a positive story about liberal arts degrees. Article from Forbes.

I can say that I've done quite well with my liberal arts degrees. Especially my writing degree fro little 'ol Chatham University. (Gotta plug my alma mater here).

 

Interesting article. I've become a convert to this perspective within the past couple of years and I'm glad to see some validation of my own feelings.

 

I have lived this perspective for the last 16 years. BA in History + MPA and a few years in Military and as a Civil Servant then ---> Software Industry professional (working 14 years of that for a very large Enterprise Software Vendor) in Consulting, Sales Engineering, and Development/Product Management positions. Finally rounded out my credentials with a PhD in IT Management (mostly for my own edification). The number one thing I believe that has made a difference is my ability to research and write effectively. Hmmm, I wonder where I learned how to do that? Historiography anyone? In IT I am a massive proponent of a Liberal Arts education, I can tell very, very quickly by reading an email or a brief exchange if I am talking to a CS/Engineering/CIS person or someone like myself. Not saying we don't need CS/Engineering types but we definitely cannot have JUST those kinds of folks to be successful at least in the business of selling Software/Cloud applications.

 

My situation is similar to yours. I did an BPA with a minor in history, a graduate writing degree along with a graduate certificate plus a smorgasbord of graduate liberal arts credits round up my educational history. Then I did eight years in the military, then I did technical writing for a while before landing in my current career as a political writer, speech writer, and political PR writer. In every job that I had I have benefited due to my ability to do research and write clearly. I have a colleague at work who has been stuck for ten years doing the same job (sales manager), and has been passed up for numerous promotions. He thinks that his degree from a for-profit college is the culprit, he is very competent at his job, however, his writing skills are atrocious. His secretary has to proofread and in some cases re-write everything for him. Case in point, last week he sent this email (names have been changed to protect privacy). However, I left the email in its entirety, nothing else has been changed.

-----------------------------------------EMAIL FOLLOWS---------------------------------------

From: [email protected]
To: [email protected], All Sales team
Subject: Meating wit ABC Governmint Representative.

Tim,

Good morning, my team was able to procurement a meeting with Mr. So and So, a busines lason with our company and the busines divition of his goberment. His work at the following office. ABC Gob office, you can call him secretary at XXX-XXXX-XXXX, he ready for visit you or anybody form your team will be good. do me this solid one, because his account is good, and want to do business writing with him.

Best,

Bob XXXXXXXXXX
XXY Company
GO BAMA, ROLL TIDE!!!

---------------------------------------END OF EMAIL--------------------------------------------

So I have to call him and clarify what he wants, and more importantly, what the client wants. He is a good guy, and we've offered training or to pay for writing lessons. However, since he is from The South he does not need English lessons.

 

Oh man you have me laughing now Kool.

I grew up in Virginia, redneckville not Beltway Bandit territory, so I know all too well "that type of guy".

The final kicker, "GO BAMA, ROLL TIDE!!!".

You ain't gonna learn that guy nothin'. He's alright, jus a good ole country boy.