By Kate Zuritsky | 01/26/2026
Are you right-brained or left-brained? The answer is often treated like a shortcut to choosing a college major and a career path.
Many students spend years trying to master traditionally left-brained subjects like statistics, organic chemistry, and calculus. Later, they realize they’re at their best when brainstorming ideas, telling stories, and thinking creatively. That realization often leads students toward an arts and humanities education as well as career fields that focus on communication, critical thinking, and solving complex problems.
For some students, the path to an arts and humanities degree isn’t linear. Students may begin studying engineering, accounting, or computer science before detouring to humanities majors once they realize their skills lie in writing, storytelling, and creative problem-solving. Others may complete a highly technical degree only to later find employment in career fields such as media, public relations, or human resources.
An arts and humanities degree allows learners to tap into their creative skill set while preparing for a wide array of career paths across industries. So what exactly can you do with an arts and humanities degree?
What Is an Arts and Humanities Degree?
An arts and humanities degree explores human culture, ideas, and expressions across time, languages, and societies. Programs typically include various liberal arts topics such as:
- Art history
- Literature
- Philosophy
Rather than concentrating on one technical skill, a humanities program studies rhetoric and the art of speaking and writing, often leading to multiple communications courses that build strong writing and speaking abilities. Humanities students learn how to interpret information, understand different perspectives, and discuss complex social issues.
Many graduates go on to careers where understanding human behavior and effective communication are essential. Those types of roles include:
- Teaching
- Graphic design
- Copywriting
- Editing
- Human resources
What Is Valuable About an Arts and Humanities Major?
Were you told that an arts and humanities degree may be a worthless investment? While some critics may question the value of this degree, studying humanities teaches critical skills that span various industries and career fields.
Humanities majors learn to think critically, analyze ideas, and communicate clearly. These skills may be applicable across a wide range of organizational settings. By studying history, literature, philosophy, and various cultures, students gain a foundational knowledge of society and problem-solving.
Employers often seek candidates who have excellent writing skills, research abilities, and adaptability. This valuable combination of job skills makes humanities graduates ideal for roles that require:
- Strategic thinking
- Creativity
- Interpersonal skills
Why Do Employers Look for Humanities Graduates?
While an arts and humanities degree helps students develop versatile skills, employers look for humanities majors based on how well those skills translate into everyday roles. In the professional world, employees are often:
- Interpreting information
- Communicating with stakeholders
- Navigating complex situations involving people, culture, and the community
Humanities programs highlight writing, research, and critical thinking skills. They prepare students to explain complex ideas clearly, develop effective messaging, and support decision-making.
Additionally, employers appreciate the adaptability that humanities graduates bring to the job market. These students have learned to work quickly, ask insightful questions, and approach problems from critical perspectives. Their new insights and intuition help organizations manage change, enhance communication skills, and tackle challenges directly.
Potential Career Paths for Arts and Humanities Majors
An arts and humanities degree can be useful for seeking specific jobs in a variety of industries. Here are some of the most common career paths that arts and humanities graduates tend to pursue:
- Writing, journalism, and content creation
- Public relations and corporate communications
- Human resources and people operations
- Business operations and project management
- Education, teaching, and training
- Research, policy, and social sciences
- Creative arts, culture, and history
- Law, legal, and advocacy pathways
However, career paths may vary based on individual qualifications, experience, and additional education or certifications.
Writing, Journalism, and Content Creation
Interested in storytelling, content creation, and social media? If you jump on TikTok® trends, write as a hobby, or enjoy researching and investigating topics, consider becoming a journalist, copywriter, or content designer.
Professionals in these fields can produce articles, digital content, and media for:
- News outlets
- Nonprofits
- Organizations around the world
These jobs may include:
- Researching topics
- Interviewing sources
- Managing social media accounts
- Designing content for different platforms and audiences
Success in journalism, content creation, and content design requires strong research and communication skills, attention to detail, and an understanding of audience engagement. Many professionals in these creative industries build portfolios by publishing articles, maintaining personal blogs, or managing branded or nonprofit content. They are attracted to the opportunity for creative growth, audience engagement, and shaping public narratives.
Public Relations and Corporate Communications
Public relations and corporate communication roles are perfect for students who enjoy creating messaging, managing public perceptions, and communicating on behalf of organizations. Humanities majors who enter these careers are often skilled writers and researchers. They have a knack for critical thinking and problem-solving.
Public relations and media relations work for government agencies, nonprofits, and public relations firms. Their responsibilities include:
- Writing press releases
- Coordinating media outreach
- Supporting internal and external communications
- Supporting brand messaging
Additionally, they help shape and protect a company’s reputation during daily and high-visibility events, such as product launches and crisis management.
Comms and PR professionals must have strong writing and organizational skills and a general understanding of how messaging can shape public opinion. In this role, people can gain real-world experience by:
- Contributing to media campaigns
- Managing social media accounts
- Supporting initiatives
Human Resources and People Operations
Are you an empathetic, people-first person with strong listening and communication skills, conflict resolution abilities, and a knack for teaching and mentoring? Human resources might be an excellent career path for you.
Human resources and people operations professionals support employees and organizations by managing the hiring process and handling employee relations, training, and workplace policies. Humanities majors may be interested in this field because they can:
- Understand human behavior
- Communicate clearly
- Manage interpersonal conflicts
HR professionals work across nonprofit, public sector, and corporate organizations. Some individuals may begin their careers in entry-level HR roles, such as assistant or coordinator positions, and pursue further credentials to explore additional responsibilities or opportunities.
Their career growth may be supported by earning additional credentials, including a master’s degree or professional certifications. These additional credentials may help individuals qualify for specialized or leadership positions, depending on the employer and role.
Business Operations and Project Management
Are you an organized, detail-oriented person interested in the inner workings of businesses? If you enjoy planning, problem-solving, and organizing people or processes, careers that involve managing projects or business operations may be a fit for you.
These professionals help organizations plan initiatives, manage workflows, and make sure projects keep moving forward. Humanities majors may be drawn to this career path because of their knowledge of business contexts and society functions. They also have strong critical thinking skills and are experts at:
- Analyzing business challenges
- Communicating expectations
- Adapting to changing priorities quickly
Rather than climbing the corporate ladder, PMs and operations professionals advance by taking on larger, more complex jobs. Their work may involve managing budgets, overseeing timelines, and ensuring objectives are met. As their projects increase in scope and complexity, these professionals take on more responsibility for guiding them from conception to execution.
Education, Teaching, and Training
Education-based careers focus on helping students increase their knowledge, skills, and confidence at different stages. These jobs appeal to people who:
- Enjoy sharing ideas
- Leading learning efforts
- Supporting academic or professional growth
Education professionals work in K-12 schools, colleges, nonprofits, and community-based programs. Humanities majors may be attracted to education-focused careers because the coursework emphasizes research, critical thinking, and subject-area expertise. These courses prepare them to lead discussions, design lessons, and create materials for students.
Depending on the role, educators and teachers may teach courses, develop curriculum, or create instructional programs outside of the classroom. Some jobs may require special teaching credentials or advanced degrees, while others focus on learning and development, educational support, or program coordination. Whether individuals work as kindergarten teachers, college professors, or instructors for a community organization, these careers help students to learn and grow.
Research, Policy, and Social Sciences
Research, policy, and social science careers focus on how people, communities, and social systems work. These roles are an ideal fit for inquisitive students who enjoy:
- Analyzing information
- Asking questions
- Using evidence to make decisions
The work of policy analysts and researchers influences public policy and social programs. These experts study social issues, assess existing policies, and provide insights to organizations and governments. Their work supports policies and initiatives that affect communities and individuals at local, state, and national levels.
These professionals might be employed by:
- Government agencies
- Nonprofit organizations
- Research institutions
- Advocacy groups
Their day-to-day responsibilities often include collecting information, reviewing research, writing reports, or supporting policy or program development. For humanities majors, these roles offer students a way to tackle the issues that shape societies.
Creative Arts, Culture, and History
Creative arts and cultural careers center on the preservation, presentation, and interpretation of art, culture, and history. These roles are ideal for students who are interested in creative expression, elevated storytelling, and educating the public about artistic and historical artifacts. Earning a fine arts or humanities degree can lead to seeking work where arts and culture are a focal point, such as:
- Performing arts
- Visual arts
- Museum education
Professionals in these fields often work for museums, galleries, art organizations, and schools. Humanities majors might pursue these roles because of their interest in courses such as art history, philosophy, and literature.
Typical job responsibilities may include organizing exhibitions, managing collections, and supporting educational initiatives. Creative arts professionals ensure art, history, and culture are more accessible to the public.
Law, Legal, and Advocacy Pathways
Is Law & Order one of your favorite shows? Do you picture yourself working in a courthouse, supporting legal cases, or advocating for causes close to your heart? If you’re drawn to social justice, public service, and understanding how laws and policies shape society, then consider a legal or advocacy career.
A liberal arts degree may lead to work in law firms, government agencies, and advocacy groups where employees conduct research, review documents, or assist attorneys. Some of the most common roles include policy advocate, legal assistant, or compliance coordinator.
Some humanities graduates may choose to attend law school, while others land an advocacy or legal support role. A bachelor’s degree is helpful for developing analytical thinking, research, and problem-solving skills. This educational background helps graduates understand how legal systems impact people and communities.
The Bachelor of Arts in Communication at APU
For adult learners interested in studying an arts and humanities topic such as communication, American Public University (APU) has an online Bachelor of Arts in Communication. This degree program features courses in a variety of topics such as public speaking, communication theory, and intercultural communication. Other courses include social media and society, public relations, digital tools and media in communication, and advertising.
For more details about this B.A. in communication, visit APU’s arts and humanities degree program page.
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