The Unexpected Schools Championing the Liberal Arts
November 9th, 2015Last week we spoke about business schools bringing liberal arts into their education programs in significant ways. This week we share an article authored by Jon Marcus, which calls attention to another group of unexpected programs that are adding the importance of humanities into their education model. Marcus explores how teaching students to think critically, reason analytically, and express thoughts coherently, mixed with career training, provides a potent recipe for success. Whether heading to a military command post, a responsible position in business, or management of a kitchen, all of these abilities come to bear.
Article Published October 15, 2015
Written by: Jon Marcus
WEST POINT, N.Y.—Christian Nattiel rattles off the way his course of studies has prepared him for his prestigious role as a company commander in charge of 120 fellow cadets at the U.S. Military Academy.
Nattiel, of Dade City, Florida, isn’t focusing at West Point on military science, or strategy, or leadership. He’s majoring in philosophy.
Read more at The Atlantic >>Tagged: Choices, College, Liberal arts, Opportunity, Personal characteristics
Business Schools Give Undergraduate Programs a Liberal Arts Twist
November 2nd, 2015Many business schools are taking a new approach in preparing their students for the future, and this idea is gaining traction across the country. Not only do these colleges want to prepare students for their future in the world of business, but the goal is to broaden their learning and deepen their understanding of the larger world around them. These schools believe that improving social skills and critical thinking along with the basics of business school will help students set themselves apart when seeking employment at the end of their college education.
Many corporate CEOs have undergraduate degrees from liberal arts colleges, validating this movement among business schools today. Writer Cathy Gandel does a thorough job in this article, identifying what specific schools are doing to improve their business school model for maximum impact in today’s society.
Article Published September 9, 2015
Written by: Cathy Gandel
It used to be that the typical undergraduate business school program stuck pretty closely to a narrow curriculum heavily weighted in management, sales and finance, or “learning how to do business,” says Jim Otteson, executive director of the BB&T Center for the Study of Capitalism at Wake Forest University in North Carolina.
Many schools still do stick to that script. But beyond making sure future moguls leave with all the necessary nuts and bolts, there’s a movement gaining ground to equip them with a much broader skill set and the bigger picture.
Read more at US News >>Tagged: Career, College, Liberal arts, Opportunity, Personal characteristics
How to Live Wisely
August 4th, 2015Have you ever thought about what you really want out of life? How your everyday decisions help you reach your ultimate goal? With the school year right around the corner we have been talking a lot about how to prepare for a successful year. This article from the New York Times highlights how one well-known university is helping first-year students share ideas and think critically about life choices aligning with life goals. So start thinking – do you live wisely for the life you want?
Article published July 31, 2015
By: Richard J. Light
Imagine you are Dean for a Day. What is one actionable change you would implement to enhance the college experience on campus?
I have asked students this question for years. The answers can be eye-opening. A few years ago, the responses began to move away from “tweak the history course” or “change the ways labs are structured.” A different commentary, about learning to live wisely, has emerged.
Read more at New York Times >>Tagged: Choices, Opportunity, Personal characteristics
College Students: These Soft Skills Lead to Academic Success
July 31st, 2015Last week on the blog we discussed the importance of using reflection and mindfulness to help set new goals as the school year approaches. We also believe that developing skills such as organization, time management and teamwork will help you become the best student you can be as well as a successful college candidate. In the article linked below Cathryn Sloane gives some specific examples of how these “soft skills” have worked for others. We hope this article might spark some inspiration in your thoughts for how to proceed with the upcoming academic year.
Article Published November 17, 2014
By: Cathryn Sloane
The growing importance placed on soft skills both in education and in the workplace is affecting the way students prepare for college. While standardized testing is still competitive and hard study skills certainly remain in play, high school seniors should make sure to also hone the soft skills that can improve the way they approach their work and their interactions with others.
These help students present themselves as winning candidates on their college applications and ensure they are equipped to handle the new challenges college throws at them. A few current college students reflected on how soft skills helped them remain successful when they ran into challenges.
Read more at US News >>Tagged: Choices, College, Personal characteristics
