Balancing Your Education

A little bit of STEM and a dash of humanities

The power of the written word is inconceivable.  Shakespeare, MLK, and JK Rowling are only three literary geniuses who have profoundly shaped the lives of generations. Without their monumental accomplishments, the English language, Civil Rights, and our youth’s imagination would not be where it stands today. The education system that teaches students the works of these influential figures, attempts to install its students with the skills and knowledge to lead a prosperous life.

However, it is believed by countless people, ranging from parents to government leaders, that rigorous courses in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics are the best road for success. This type of education, commonly referred to as STEM, is perceived as the top path that will lead to the highest probability of success for young minds.  While a STEM curriculum is exceedingly important for young students, people must not exclude humanities from the discussion regarding American education.

The demand for larger amounts of STEM programs in American schooling is becoming more prevalent. The irreplaceable values that are gained from a STEM major must be acknowledged; however, humanities hold an equal amount of significance. The exclusion of the subjects- English, Foreign Language, the Arts, Religion, History, etc- will lead to detrimental repercussions for future generations.

According to Forbes.com, Liberal Arts graduates are in heavy demand for Fortune 500 companies because of their diverse educational backgrounds. Even Apple’s brilliant founder, Steve Jobs, expressed his admiration for humanities by stating, “It’s in Apple’s DNA that technology alone is not enough. It’s technology married with liberal arts, married with the humanities, that yields the results that make our hearts sing.”

Without subjects such as English, Foreign Languages, and History, I would lack critical thinking skills, writing skills, the ability to understand complex texts, and the ability to comprehend the spiritual, moral, and intellectual world. Most importantly, I would lack the opportunity to attempt to fully understand diverse cultures around the world.

Reading Shakespeare in English, memorizing conjugations in French, understanding the reasons behind World Wars all hold a vital value to the education of the next generation of  youth. Our society will develop astronomical amounts of empathy by gaining a deeper, more personal understanding with the world through humanities.   

While I cannot deny the vital skills obtained through STEM subjects, a well-rounded education is the key to overall success in America’s next generation. A STEM background is rich with opportunities, such as economic advancements for our country, a stage for underrepresented groups to be recognized, and to further our knowledge of the physical world.

Yet, the next generation cannot only be knowledgeable about the surface of our planet, but also the culture that exists on that surface. In today’s modern era, true success cannot be achieved without a full understanding of the surroundings, and that can only be accomplished through an education including both STEM and humanity subjects.