Skills crafted in Arts degrees

Transferable skills

Skills crafted in an arts degree are becoming increasingly sought after by employers. Often referred to as transferable skills, these include written and oral communication, the ability to research and analyse information from different perspectives, develop a convincing argument, adapt to change and work as part of a team. Demand for such skills is constantly growing as businesses and organisations become more competitive and interconnected in a global economy. As issues in society, the environment and the economy become more pronounced, so does the need for people who can reason, synthesise complicated information and communicate effectively across cultures to work towards finding solutions.

Communication skills

Written and verbal communication skills are readily acknowledged as being highly valued in today's workforce. Arts students spend a lot of time researching, writing and presenting information. They are asked to develop opinions and suggest solutions to issues by analysing large chunks of information and presenting it clearly and logically.

Interpersonal skills

Monash Arts attracts a diverse student population. Sharing ideas and studying with people who have different backgrounds, values, and life experiences brings a new dimension to university life. Being able to work co-operatively with other people in a variety of work situations is an essential skill.

Flexibility

'Change' is integral to the study of humanities and social sciences. Arts students explore how and why change takes place. They study the tensions involved in change and how people react and adapt to it. As work environments evolve, employers are looking for people who understand the need for flexibility.

Critical thinking

Critical thinking means being able to evaluate complex information from different angles. It involves sifting out the relevant pieces of information and making sense of it. Arts students are good at researching the causes of a problem and suggesting alternative solutions.