What can you do with a humanities degree?

If you are interested in the things that define us as human, then you are the kind of person who will thrive in various humanities degree jobs. The humanities are concerned about the things that define us as human beings. Studying the humanities helps us understand ourselves, others, and the world, making jobs for humanities majors endless.

What you learn as a humanities major will be useful in any career you pursue. Specialized training for a specific profession has a short shelf life, but the knowledge that comes from studying the humanities never goes out of date!

What you’ll learn

Studying the humanities will help you achieve your personal and professional goals, making worthwhile contributions to society. Employers consistently list workplace skills that humanities majors hone during their education, including:

  • Critical thinking
  • Creativity
  • Communication skills
  • Emotional intelligence and understanding
  • Writing skills
  • Persuasion
  • Teamwork and collaboration
  • Leadership

In today’s job market, the ability to think critically and communicate effectively, all while considering the thoughts and beliefs of others, will set you apart. Humanities students question ideas and assumptions, identify inconsistencies and errors in the arguments of others, and are trained to be objective and to produce evidence-based conclusions. As such, a humanities education builds a solid foundation for any career you choose to pursue.

Examine why the humanities are important to see how studying the humanities ensures you’ll be able to impact the world far beyond the classroom.

What can you do with a humanities degree?

Careers in humanities

With a humanities degree, you'll have the tools to create the life you want after college and can even go on to change the world.

So, what can you do with a humanities degree? The possibilities are endless! Read on to learn what job can you get with a humanities degree, and just a few of the common career paths our alumni have chosen.

Business

The world of business offers a broad range of humanities jobs, each of which utilizes different skills developed through your studies.

  • Media
    Roles in marketing, public relations (PR), and social media require collaboration and strong persuasive skills. Humanities graduates are great at these jobs because they excel in crafting compelling narratives, understanding audience behavior, and creating strategic campaigns to engage target markets.
  • Small business owner
    Spanish alumna Laura Rodríguez-Romaní is the curator and owner of the independent online bookstore Los Amigos Books, where she specializes in Spanish and bilingual literature. Laura’s humanities background equipped her with the cultural insights and language skills necessary to curate a meaningful collection. Read about Laura’s career
  • Human resources (HR) specialist
    HR specialists recruit, train, and manage employees, fostering a positive workplace. The ability to understand and manage interpersonal dynamics is crucial in this role, making the emotional intelligence skills gained by humanities majors a natural fit.

Education

Humanities majors thrive in the field of education due to their strong communication skills, cultural awareness, and ability to convey concepts.

  • Teacher
    Teaching is a natural fit for humanities majors who have a love for language and learning. After graduation, linguistics major Emily Doehring moved to South Korea to work as an English as a Second Language (ESL) teacher in an elementary school. Read about Emily’s career
  • Administrator
    Education administrators, such as principals and district officials, shape educational policies and manage operations. With their ability to understand and navigate cultural contexts and communicate effectively with diverse stakeholders, humanities majors are well-suited for these positions.

Writing

One of the most popular humanities major jobs, writing, utilizes the writing and communication skills you’ll hone as a student.

  • Copywriter
    Copywriters create persuasive and engaging content for advertising, marketing, and promotional materials. Humanities majors excel in this field due to their proficiency in crafting narratives and their ability to adapt their writing style to different purposes and audiences.
  • Author
    Becoming an author allows humanities majors to channel their passion for storytelling and creative writing into books, articles, or other forms of literature. For instance, Amanda Bjerkan Hennessy majored in English and has put her degree to use by authoring a hit children's book. Read about Amanda’s career

Technology

Tech ranks high on the humanities jobs list and salary list. Humanities majors bring a unique perspective to the field through their strong analytical, research, and communication skills.

  • Consulting
    Consultants work with organizations to improve their strategies, systems, and processes. Humanities graduates excel in this role due to their ability to effectively analyze complex problems, devise innovative solutions, and persuade stakeholders to implement their recommendations.
  • Data scientist
    English major Erin Joe is the director of the Office of the Director of National Intelligence’s Cyber Threat Intelligence Integration Center. Erin's ability to think critically, analyze data, and understand complex narratives have been instrumental in her success in this field.  Read about Erin’s career
  • Technical writer
    Technical writers create manuals, guides, and other documentation that explains complex technical information in a clear and accessible way. Humanities majors effectively bridge the gap between technical experts and end-users, ensuring that information is conveyed accurately and effectively.

Public Service

Humanities majors are well-equipped for careers in public service due to their communication skills, cultural awareness, and ability to analyze complex information.

  • PR specialist
    Public relations (PR) specialists manage the public image of government agencies, non-profits, and political figures. Humanities graduates excel in PR due to their excellent communication skills, creativity, and ability to understand and influence public opinion.
  • Diplomat
    Diplomats represent their home country abroad, working to maintain and improve international relations. Jaylin D. McClinton, a graduate of the Department of African-American Studies, exemplifies how humanities majors can thrive in this field. Read about Jaylin’s career

Law

Humanities majors bring strong persuasion, research, and critical thinking skills to the field of law.

  • Attorney/Lawyer
    Humanities graduates who pursue law school bring a unique perspective to the legal profession. French major Corinne Cantwell Heggie is the president of the Women’s Bar Association of Illinois. Her humanities background has equipped her to tackle complex legal issues and advocate for important causes. Read about Corinne’s career
  • Human rights officer
    Human rights officers work for organizations that advocate for human rights protections. They investigate violations, develop policies, and promote awareness of human rights issues. Humanities majors are well-equipped for this role due to their strong ethical grounding and ability to analyze complex issues.

Nonprofit

Humanities majors are well-suited for the nonprofit sector and other industries due to their effective communication skills and ability to understand and address complex social issues.

  • Organization leader
    Nonprofit leaders oversee operations, develop strategies, and guide their teams towards achieving the organization’s mission. French major Karen P. Layng is president of the Girl Scouts of the United States of America. Read about Karen’s career
  • Environment agency
    French alumna Lauren Turk used her time during COVID-19 to create a start-up company focused on “un-inventing waste.” Her background in humanities provided her with the critical thinking and persuasive communication skills needed to tackle environmental issues innovatively. Read about Lauren’s career

Get a Graduate Degree

In addition to a variety of career paths, a humanities major can prepare you to pursue a graduate degree. After completing an undergraduate degree, students might continue their academic journey by pursuing master's degrees, PhDs, or professional degrees. These programs deepen your expertise and open unique doors. For instance, entering law school can lead to roles as attorneys or legal consultants, while a PhD may lead to teaching, conducting research, or working at universities.

A graduate degree in the humanities can be a stepping stone to achieving your career goals and can help you get closer to answering the question, “what can I do with a humanities degree?” through your own unique path.

Visit the Graduate College's website for information on humanities graduate programs at Illinois.

Make a Difference

Even outside of career opportunities, Humanities majors often choose to participate in volunteer roles that leverage the critical thinking, communication, and cultural understanding skills cultivated through the humanities to address pressing societal issues and improve the lives of others. Some examples include, but are not limited to: offering legal assistance, writing and editing for community organizations, and spending time in social services to support marginalized communities.

So, what can you do with a humanities degree? Turns out, you can do a lot! The job outlook and career paths for humanities majors are diverse. No matter your path, you can use the skills you have perfected as a humanities student to make a positive difference—in your life and in the world.