In recent years, there has been a growing trend towards specialised degrees, particularly in the field of media and communications. Specialised media degrees provide valuable technical skills but are they really your best option to develop the soft skills essential for success in the media industry?

A liberal arts degree can provide a strong foundation for media professionals, equipping students with a diverse set of skills and knowledge that can be applied to a range of media-related roles.

What is a liberal arts education?

The liberal arts encompass a broad array of disciplines, including literature, history, philosophy and the sciences. Rather than focusing solely on vocational training, liberal arts degrees encourage students to explore diverse perspectives, question assumptions, and engage in interdisciplinary inquiry. By fostering intellectual curiosity and adaptability, the liberal arts equip students with superior critical thinking, communication and problem-solving skills which are transferrable across dynamic work environments and highly valued by employers.

Developing a foundation for success

Broad knowledge base
A liberal arts degree provides a broad education in the humanities, arts, natural sciences and social sciences. This diversity of knowledge can be incredibly valuable for media professionals, allowing them to bring together different fields of knowledge to enrich their content.

Analytical skills
Liberal arts students spend lots of time analysing and interpreting texts. These transferrable skills are incredibly valuable for aspiring media professionals, who must be able to read, understand, and analyse a variety of materials in order to create insightful and compelling content.

Communication skills
Media professionals must be able to write clearly and concisely, as well as speak articulately and confidently. A liberal arts education can help students develop these skills through coursework in writing, public speaking, and debate.

Cultural and historical awareness
A liberal arts education provides students with a broad understanding of different cultures, societies and historical events. This can help students display a greater depth of understanding on a particular news topic or issue, rather than simply covering an event at face value.

Getting from liberal arts to media

Upon graduating from a liberal arts undergraduate program, graduates are well-equipped to enter the workplace in roles such as a digital producer, content writer or journalist. Many Campion College graduates have gone straight into employment in the media industry without further study based on the strength of their communication skills at interview, however some choose to undertake further specialised study. This could include a Graduate Certificate in Journalism, Graduate Diploma of Creative Industries, or Master of Media and Communications.

A liberal arts degree can be a superior pathway to a career in media, as it provides students with a diverse set of skills and knowledge that can be applied to a range of media-related roles. If you are interested in pursuing a career in media, consider a liberal arts degree to gain the skills and knowledge you need to excel in this exciting and dynamic field.