Liberal arts jobs are available in a variety of industries

As a liberal arts major, you’ve heard it before: “What are you going to do with that English degree?” Or that history degree, or that philosophy degree?

Get a job, that’s what!

Believe it or not, a liberal arts degree makes you well-suited for several industries, including technology, marketing, and business operations. That's because your studies have taught you how to think critically, research thoroughly, and write well—all of which are skills any employer will value.

Niagara University Director of Career Sciences Robert Swanson recounts a conversation he had with a manufacturing executive friend of his who said, “Liberal arts majors are able to think critically, communicate complex ideas in understandable terms, imagine possibilities, and adapt to changing priorities.”

Sometimes getting the job is a matter of showing how willing you are to learn. “He said that quite often he could teach a psychology major what they needed to know about business more easily than trying to teach a business major what they needed to know about people,” Swanson says. “That in my opinion is the value of the liberal arts and that is where the earning power of majors like psychology, art, or health care administration rests.”

Using data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Monster rounded up 10 of the best jobs for liberal arts majors. So tell your friends and family to stop worrying: Your diploma won't become just a piece of wall art.

Translator/interpreter

What you’d do: Translators work in schools, hospitals, courtrooms, and even from home, helping to communicate information from one language to another. This can take the form of conversation or written material, and translators do their best to ensure that accurate information is given, received, and understood between the parties involved.
What you need: Although a bachelor’s degree is a common job requirement, language fluency is the most vital skill needed.
What you’d make: $57,090 per year

Find all interpreter jobs or translator jobs on Monster.

Web developer

What you’d do: A great-looking and great-performing website is the result of a hard-working web developer who builds these sites. Some developers also create custom content or graphics.
What you need: An associate’s degree in web design or a related field is typical. For more technical positions, you may need a bachelor’s degree in computer science or programming.
What you’d make: $95,570 per year

Find all web developer jobs on Monster.

Software developer

What you’d do: Developers design, test, and maintain computer programs and mobile apps to meet the specific needs of their clients, whether that means consumer-focused businesses or medical or military organizations. Developers may also recommend system upgrades based on users’ needs.
What you need: Typically, these jobs require a bachelor's degree in computer science, software engineering, or a related field.
What you’d make: $138,110 per year

Find all software developer jobs on Monster.

Database administrator

What you’d do: These workers oversee the computer systems that store, organize, and protect data for organizations in the private and public sectors. This can include implementing, configuring, maintaining, backing up, and replicating files within the database. They may also create new databases if needed.
What you need: A bachelor’s degree in information or computer science, or a related field is typical. You will most likely require some experience in the field. You may also need certification to work with certain types of software or systems. Check out this sample resume for a database administrator.
What you’d make: $104,810 per year

Find all database administrator jobs on Monster.

Technical writer

What you’d do: These writers break down complex information (think software, tech gadgets, machinery, and more) and make it understandable for the rest of us. Their projects can include instructional manuals, how-to materials, and other helpful guides.
What you need: A bachelor’s degree in journalism or English is helpful, but technical writers mostly require specialized knowledge in the topics they’re writing about, whether it’s computer science, biotechnology, engineering, etc.
What you’d make: $80,050 per year

Find all technical writer jobs on Monster.

Advertising/marketing manager

What you’d do: These workers create campaigns to promote a particular product or service. You’ll need to understand your clients’ goals and work with creative resources (art directors, copywriters, etc.) to build effective campaigns.
What you need: A bachelor’s degree is required for most advertising, promotions, and marketing positions. Managers typically have work experience in advertising, marketing, promotions, or sales. Check out this sample resume for an advertising account executive.
What you’d make: $156,580 per year

Find all advertising manager jobs or marketing manager jobs on Monster.

Paralegal/legal assistant

What you’d do: Lawyers rely on paralegals to help organize and update files, conduct legal research, and write documents.
What you need: A certificate in paralegal studies can supplement your bachelor’s degree, though this is not always required.
What you’d make: $60,970 per year

Find all paralegal jobs or legal assistant jobs on Monster.

Archivist/curator

What you’d do: Archivists work with historical documents and other records to catalog, process, appraise, and preserve them. You might work for a museum, university, the government, or corporation. Traditionally curators work in museums, but the role has been extended beyond those types of institutions. Today, curators may also act as a type of event planner, choosing the right kind of content or specialty talent, whether it’s to put on an event to create specialty websites.
What you need: A master’s degree in the specialization is generally expected.
What you’d make: $57,120 per year

Find all archivist jobs, curator jobs, or museum jobs on Monster.

Public relations specialist

What you’d do: If you’ve got excellent communication skills, pr will make good use of them. You’d work to get media coverage for whatever your client wants to promote. You might write press releases, develop an organization’s or client’s public image, implement advertising and promotional campaigns, and target external audiences that would want to engage with your product or service.
What you need: A bachelor’s degree in public relations, journalism, communications, English, or business is typical. Check out this sample resume for a public relations manager.
What you’d make: $66,750 per year

Find all public relations specialist jobs on Monster.

Human resources specialist

What you’d do: HR workers recruit, screen, interview, and place employees in various positions throughout a company. Managers also take care of employee relations; payroll and benefits; training; and administering company policies, procedures, and programs.
What you need: Most employers require a bachelor’s degree in human resources, business, or a related field. Check out this sample resume for a human resources generalist.
What you’d make: $67,650 per year

Find all human resources specialist jobs on Monster.

Find all liberal arts jobs on Monster.

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