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At the intersection of politics, technology and economics is education and the need to prepare students to succeed not only in a global society, but also in a “post-employment world,” in which technology replaces work humans have traditionally performed. However, as technology continues to increase and influence our daily lives, little has yet been done to address its long-ranging implications and potentially negative impact on the workforce. As artificial intelligence continues to evolve, the Internet of Things continues to expand and reliance on robotic technology increases, more jobs will become automated under the guise of operational efficiency.
What happens when these jobs disappear? Such an economic breakdown could lead to a variety of issues such as the decentralization of “work” as the defining feature of an adult’s life, as well as social, psychological and financial implications to individuals. It could also force a cultural shift in how we define “work” as a society. On the negative side, the resulting job loss in a post-employment world has potential physical and mental ramifications, negative financial impact related to governmental support services and individual consumerism, and alters the very fabric of society. On the positive side, it can provide people with more free time to pursue their passions, take care of their families and give back their communities.
So what does this mean for workers? What skills should they cultivate, if they want to be relevant and ready for a post-employment world?
Education prepares students for the future. As technology advances at a breakneck speed, employers who formerly placed great emphasis on technical skills have begun to embrace the value of a liberal arts education. Liberal arts study has always focused on developing an individual’s intellectual ability through a knowledge of a broad range of subjects. This empowers students to deal with complexity, promotes critical thinking and social responsibility, and develops problem solving and communication skills across a wide variety of settings. It provides students with a strong foundation, allowing them to be agile and adapt to changing circumstances in an ever-changing world.
A liberal arts education ensures that we not only have knowledge of the past, but provides skill sets that are fundamentally tied to our human nature such as empathy, relationship building, adaptability, conscientiousness, perseverance, and creativity. These skills form the foundation of our social fabric and are nearly impossible to replicate with technology.
Evidence of the growing importance of soft skills can be seen in recent study by the Pew Research Center, which showed the strongest future employment growth projected for jobs requiring above average social skills. Additionally, the National Association of Colleges and Employers’ most recent First-Destination Survey noted an uptick in employment and salaries among humanities graduates between 2014 and 2015. Of even more importance, in 2015, graduates of area studies (e.g. cultural or gender studies), who entered the workforce full-time did so at a starting salary 26 percent higher than the previous year, marking the biggest increase of any category considered.
Not only is employment growth more rapid in jobs requiring a high level of social skills, but STEM fields are taking note of the value-add a liberal arts education brings to the table. There is a talent war afoot in the technology field and employees with non-technical backgrounds are highly sought after: as one recent article quipped: “The next hot job in Silicon Valley is speechwriting.” The recognition that technological skills alone aren’t enough to prepare our workforce has led to a growing movement to add the arts into STEM education—also known as STEAM.
History itself suggests that technological progress and the movement toward the post-workforce economy, can spur progress and opportunity for those well trained in the humanities. It is important to remember that the Renaissance was an age of great progress in both the arts and sciences. In our current age, technological advancement should be viewed as an opportunity to provide society with greater bandwidth to engage in inquiry and art. In the post-employment world, there should be more time spent engaging with people, culture and ideas. A post-employment society will require social interaction and community building. Technology alone cannot cure serious challenges facing humanity (e.g. poverty, homelessness, mental illness, drug addiction, criminal rehabilitation) and it cannot replace true emotional connection; however, it can enhance and help provide solutions to some of our greater societal challenges.
The majority of students at University of Phoenix are working adults seeking to enhance their careers and provide a better life for their families. The institution takes a holistic approach to teaching and learning in that its curriculum is not only career-relevant, but also provides the soft skills employers are seeking in today’s workforce. The world is changing, and University of Phoenix is ready to meet this change head on to ensure its students are developing the skills to change with it. Whether pursuing a degree in the arts and sciences, social sciences, healthcare, business, or technology, the institution is committed to empowering its students with the kind of knowledge needed to help them navigate a post-employment society.
For more information about each of these programs, including on-time completion rates, the median debt incurred by students who completed the program and other important information, please visit: phoenix.edu/programs/gainful-employment.
About the author: Constance St. Germain, Ed.D., J.D. is Executive Dean, Colleges of Humanities & Sciences and Social Sciences at the University of Phoenix.
The views presented in this article are the author’s own and do not necessarily represent the views of any other organization.
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The Need for Liberal Arts in the Post-Employment World
Educational Institution Friend Learning School Concept
January 13, 2017
At the intersection of politics, technology and economics is education and the need to prepare students to succeed not only in a global society, but also in a “post-employment world,” in which technology replaces work humans have traditionally performed. However, as technology continues to increase and influence our daily lives, little has yet been done to address its long-ranging implications and potentially negative impact on the workforce. As artificial intelligence continues to evolve, the Internet of Things continues to expand and reliance on robotic technology increases, more jobs will become automated under the guise of operational efficiency.
What happens when these jobs disappear? Such an economic breakdown could lead to a variety of issues such as the decentralization of “work” as the defining feature of an adult’s life, as well as social, psychological and financial implications to individuals. It could also force a cultural shift in how we define “work” as a society. On the negative side, the resulting job loss in a post-employment world has potential physical and mental ramifications, negative financial impact related to governmental support services and individual consumerism, and alters the very fabric of society. On the positive side, it can provide people with more free time to pursue their passions, take care of their families and give back their communities.
So what does this mean for workers? What skills should they cultivate, if they want to be relevant and ready for a post-employment world?
Education prepares students for the future. As technology advances at a breakneck speed, employers who formerly placed great emphasis on technical skills have begun to embrace the value of a liberal arts education. Liberal arts study has always focused on developing an individual’s intellectual ability through a knowledge of a broad range of subjects. This empowers students to deal with complexity, promotes critical thinking and social responsibility, and develops problem solving and communication skills across a wide variety of settings. It provides students with a strong foundation, allowing them to be agile and adapt to changing circumstances in an ever-changing world.
A liberal arts education ensures that we not only have knowledge of the past, but provides skill sets that are fundamentally tied to our human nature such as empathy, relationship building, adaptability, conscientiousness, perseverance, and creativity. These skills form the foundation of our social fabric and are nearly impossible to replicate with technology.
Evidence of the growing importance of soft skills can be seen in recent study by the Pew Research Center, which showed the strongest future employment growth projected for jobs requiring above average social skills. Additionally, the National Association of Colleges and Employers’ most recent First-Destination Survey noted an uptick in employment and salaries among humanities graduates between 2014 and 2015. Of even more importance, in 2015, graduates of area studies (e.g. cultural or gender studies), who entered the workforce full-time did so at a starting salary 26 percent higher than the previous year, marking the biggest increase of any category considered.
Not only is employment growth more rapid in jobs requiring a high level of social skills, but STEM fields are taking note of the value-add a liberal arts education brings to the table. There is a talent war afoot in the technology field and employees with non-technical backgrounds are highly sought after: as one recent article quipped: “The next hot job in Silicon Valley is speechwriting.” The recognition that technological skills alone aren’t enough to prepare our workforce has led to a growing movement to add the arts into STEM education—also known as STEAM.
History itself suggests that technological progress and the movement toward the post-workforce economy, can spur progress and opportunity for those well trained in the humanities. It is important to remember that the Renaissance was an age of great progress in both the arts and sciences. In our current age, technological advancement should be viewed as an opportunity to provide society with greater bandwidth to engage in inquiry and art. In the post-employment world, there should be more time spent engaging with people, culture and ideas. A post-employment society will require social interaction and community building. Technology alone cannot cure serious challenges facing humanity (e.g. poverty, homelessness, mental illness, drug addiction, criminal rehabilitation) and it cannot replace true emotional connection; however, it can enhance and help provide solutions to some of our greater societal challenges.
The majority of students at University of Phoenix are working adults seeking to enhance their careers and provide a better life for their families. The institution takes a holistic approach to teaching and learning in that its curriculum is not only career-relevant, but also provides the soft skills employers are seeking in today’s workforce. The world is changing, and University of Phoenix is ready to meet this change head on to ensure its students are developing the skills to change with it. Whether pursuing a degree in the arts and sciences, social sciences, healthcare, business, or technology, the institution is committed to empowering its students with the kind of knowledge needed to help them navigate a post-employment society.
For more information about each of these programs, including on-time completion rates, the median debt incurred by students who completed the program and other important information, please visit: phoenix.edu/programs/gainful-employment.
About the author: Constance St. Germain, Ed.D., J.D. is Executive Dean, Colleges of Humanities & Sciences and Social Sciences at the University of Phoenix.
The views presented in this article are the author’s own and do not necessarily represent the views of any other organization.
