"I didn't go to school, but I went to the library."
-Ray Bradbury
I hate to break it to you, but going to college to pursue a passion that doesn't translate into a marketable skill is pretty dang dumb. I'm glad that you are fascinated by Old English alliterative verse, or the Wars of the Roses, topiary through the ages, or Swiss military history. I really am (g'luck with that last one, though). I believe that, as the name suggests, the humanities are a crucial part of what makes us human, they help us to connect with others across time and space, give us a broader perspective on life, and help us to be well-rounded, interesting people.
But the thing is, the average degree from a public college (including room and board) costs $57,200 (according to the National Center for Educational Statistics). Your best career bet for a humanities degree is teaching, which we all know pays well. Excuse me as I shed tears of pure sarcasm.
My point (yes, there is one) is that unless you have money to burn, getting that liberal arts degree just doesn't make much sense. Instead, pursue your passion on the cheap, informally. They invented libraries for a reason, and the information available for free on the internet is virtually limitless. The advent of podcasting and iTunes U has made expert information more accessible than ever before.
To put it all together, and indulge my love of goofy statistics, for the price quoted above, you could return a book to my local library 522 years late.
But the thing is, the average degree from a public college (including room and board) costs $57,200 (according to the National Center for Educational Statistics). Your best career bet for a humanities degree is teaching, which we all know pays well. Excuse me as I shed tears of pure sarcasm.
My point (yes, there is one) is that unless you have money to burn, getting that liberal arts degree just doesn't make much sense. Instead, pursue your passion on the cheap, informally. They invented libraries for a reason, and the information available for free on the internet is virtually limitless. The advent of podcasting and iTunes U has made expert information more accessible than ever before.
To put it all together, and indulge my love of goofy statistics, for the price quoted above, you could return a book to my local library 522 years late.
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