Careers in Arts & Humanities

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Bengaluru, Karnataka, India, Republic of (Free-Press-Release.com) September 28, 2011 --

Higher Education in India is a 10bn USD market with over 14 million students enrolled under various programs. The higher education category in dominated by Arts and Humanities programs where Arts and Commerce together account for 65% of total market share by volume in the Under Graduate segment. The market scenario is similar in the Post Graduate segment with Arts and Commerce contributing to 67% of the total Post Graduate enrollments. Current demographic trends indicate that usually focused job-seekers and those seeking more general enrichment lean towards Arts & Humanities and hence enrollments in these courses continue to grow at a lively pace.

In a nation that produces an ever increasing number of scientists and engineers, the focus on the study of human society and the various expressions of humanity such as art, religion and architecture is woefully low. Study of Humanities in India is considered by many as not a very prospective option. However, contrary to popular beliefs, humanities offer a vast range of career options for students. Students who have completed their graduation in Arts can opt for a variety of careers in Humanities ranging from Assistant Administrative Officers, Content Editors, Research Assistants, Psychologists, Librarians, Journalists, Development officers, Forest Officers, Archaeologists, Law and Fine arts. Careers in Arts no longer play second fiddle to Science careers. Careers in Social science are as lucrative and prestigious career options as their engineering and medical counterparts.

Humanities offer a plethora of courses and career options for students after class 12. The important subjects that are taught under Humanities include History, Geography, Political Science, Philosophy, Psychology and Sociology.

A decade ago, viable career opportunities for pursuing interests in Humanities were few and far, today, such fields of work as environmental law, mass communication and wildlife studies are assuming a formal status requiring a keen understanding of the chosen field among the aspirants. Since the study of humanities utilizes methodologies that are usually analytical, critical or speculative, it does not necessitate the aspirant to have a formal background in science or commerce or management which is more empirical in nature. Students of Arts & Humanities are attributed with the ability to bring unique insights and critical thinking into their field of work and hence are widely sought after in such fields as economics, anthropology, journalism and psychology, fields which are exploring newer nuances with each passing day. What is unique about Art & Humanities as a field of study is that it does require a laboratory setting to enable learning. Thus, a house wife looking at putting her time to better use, a +2 pass out wanting to broadening her career choices or an individual looking at completing his education in a manner that is both meaningful and remunerative can look at pursuing Arts and Humanities.

A few years ago, one couldn't have imagined a career along the lines of environmental law or fitness therapist, food stylist, corporate communications or film production, photography or sports and even wildlife studies, creating movies that have talking cartoon characters, wedding/party planner, planning travel itineraries for others or having a full-fledged career as a social worker. But today, these are the jobs of the future, and some of the most exciting fields to get into. Irrespective of the subject of choice, there are hundreds of career options which youngsters dream of today. The route to success is not necessarily paved with science and commerce subjects only; one can do as well with by delving into humanities. Subjects such as history, geography, political science, philosophy, psychology, economics, languages, arts or music can open up a range of avenues in diverse fields ranging from civil services, advertising, mass communication, archaeology, market research, hotel management, adventure explore options in the field of business and management also.

Arts & Humanities allows a person driven by a genuine interest in understanding of humanity’s desires and motives to pursue formal graduate and post graduate programs in his area of interest even while being outside a physical educational setting. Radio and television seeks professionals from the Arts stream as they make for good program directors, editors and news analysts. Study of philosophy or history allows one to pursue academia or research on the human condition; many anthropologists and archaeologists have a background in Humanities. Formal courses in performing arts help polish skills in art and drama widens the consciousness of an artiste and creates new platforms to perform. Study of languages enables the pursuant to join government services and opens new vistas with international agencies as interpreters and translators. A course in sociology or political science equips one with relevant skills and know-how to become a social activist with NGOs engaged in community service. With futuristic opportunities opening up in various sectors, it becomes essential for knowledge centers across the country to provide the community with the right avenues for the study of Arts & Humanities as a formal discipline which will ensure the availability of critical theoretical training programs in social sciences.
Several open universities offer distance educations programs at the graduate, post graduate and doctorate levels in History, Political Science, Sociology, Economics and Philosophy among others to make it possible for aspirants to pursue Arts and Humanities courses part-time while attending to other commitments in life. Students could pursue bachelor’s degrees in History, Political Science, English, and Sociology, Economics or masters programs on the above subjects.

Sikkim Manipal University – Directorate of Distance Education has this year launched four new programs of study under Arts & Humanities. These include
• BA (History, Political Science, English, Sociology, Economics)
• MA (History, Political Science)
• BCom
• MCom

For the benefit of aspirants across regions, SMU-DDE is now also offering BA (History) and BA (Political Science) in Hindi medium. This is the first time SMU-DDE has launched a program in any vernacular language.

As our society becomes more and more complex, there is an acute need for a sound understanding of the nature of our societies, human interactions and expressions, in order to make it possible for ourselves to function as a better society. Arts and Humanities as an academic discipline will encourage the existing student population and the prospective student community in discovering new arenas to apply them to and function as productive members of the society.