Thinking about career options with with your Humanities degree?

Author: Nhlanhla Maphetu

Humanities degrees are often viewed as a relatively passive field, one that does not offer many opportunities for professional advancement. However, this is not the case. There are many career opportunities for students who are well versed in the disciplines of the humanities, and there are many steps you can take to leverage your humanities education to find (or create) a job after graduation. By cultivating skills like writing, critical thinking, and analyzing and evaluating information, you can become a valuable asset to the workplace in a variety of fields. While there may be many jobs that you would not be seemingly suited for because of your educational background, there are also plenty of ways to apply your skills in innovative ways and explore other career paths that would be a perfect fit for you.

On the 1st of September, UCT Careers Service hosted a Career conversation which focused on identifying opportunities within and outside of your majors as a humanities graduate. During the conversation I engaged with Humanities graduates, Iris Nxumalo-De Smidt, Kira Theunissen and Fumani Mabogoane, who are making an impact in science, creative economies, social justice, research, technology, and academia.

In the conversation, we discussed how to leverage the skills you gain from a humanities degree to find meaningful work in a professional context, as a freelancer or as an entrepreneur. As such, it is important that you develop a diverse set of skills that can help you succeed in your career. Many of these skills are TRANSFERABLE and can help you open doors in your career no matter where you end up working. Iris Nxumalo-De Smidt emphasized “writing, facilitation, communication, relationship building and leadership” as core skills you need. For Fumani Mabogoane “attention to detail, coaching and mentoring” are critical fundamentals needed when entering entering the job market. Kira Theunissen added “critical thinking, creativity, and responsiveness to feedback”.

As employers are increasingly looking for candidates who are versatile and able to work well in a team environment, earning a humanities degree gives you a competitive advantage over other candidates who are looking for similar positions. Why? You are creative, innovative and resourceful!. With your Humanities degree and majors you can consider branching out into other disciplines or expand your skill set to include certain skills and knowledge that is required to succeed in the workplace. For example, if you love literature and want to work in business, you might want to pursue marketing and networking, and freelancing skills to prepare yourself? for a career in business editing, and writing.

No matter what path you choose to take, it's important to remain open to new opportunities and to build on your existing skills in order to make yourself a more valuable and marketable candidate in the workforce. There are many ways that a background in the humanities can help you and attractive job candidate in the professional world and as an entrepreneur.?

Iris Nxumalo-De Smidt highlights that as you prepare for opportunities, you should "have multiple dreams" as this will motivate you to continue dreaming once you achieve your current aspirations. She also reflected on the politics of money when it comes to remuneration for Humanities graduates, where there is often an undervaluing and invibilisation of the work that Humanities graduates do. She recommended disrupting this practice through negotiating your remuneration by using platforms like GlassDoor, and leveraging your networks to get a sense of industry practice while centring the financial aspirations you may have. To keep your dreams and move into different spaces, you need to network, build relationships and allow yourself a chance to learn. To further identify opportunities, you need to be willing to take risks? Kira Theunissen advises. Her three main tips are:, market yourself, do everything wholeheartedly, and "do not burn bridges".

?Fumani Mabogoane believes in finding opportunities related to your interests, reading more to build, develop your knowledge in understanding the fine prints including legal instruments governing your work, this will be valuable for you especially when you work for yourself. He also strongly encourages understanding the fine print of contractual engagements.?

Developing and gaining transferable skills is important for identifying opportunities with your Humanities degree. You can prepare yourself for a range of fulfilling careers, including as a freelancer and entrepreneur. It is useful to reflect and understand the different interests and skills you have, and how this could be leveraged in the world of work. Critically, it is essential to reflect on the impact you would like to have, the sectors/industries where you would like to position your work, and be open to these evolving overtime.?

Developing and gaining transferable skills is important for identifying opportunities with your Humanities degree. As such, You can prepare yourself for a career as a freelancer, once you reflect and understand the different interests and skills you have. You can also prepare yourself for a career to be a full-time entrepreneur, once you have reflected on where you can make an impact and you have identified who you want to service.

It is useful to reflect and understand the different interests and skills you have, and how this could be leveraged in the world of work.?

?You can watch this conversation on UCT Careers Service Youtube channel