At some point, every student faces the question. It comes from well-meaning parents, teachers, even friends:

“So, what are you going to do with that?”

If you’re drawn to studying history, literature, philosophy, or theology, you’ve probably heard it more than once… sometimes with genuine curiosity, sometimes with thinly veiled skepticism. The underlying message is clear: education should be a stepping stone to a stable, high-paying job. Anything else is a luxury.

It’s easy to see why. In today’s world, career paths are mapped out early, and universities often market degrees as direct pipelines to employment. A degree that doesn’t lead to a clear job title can feel risky, even indulgent. But is that really all education is meant to be?

What if university wasn’t just about getting a job, but about shaping how you think? What if the true value of your education wasn’t just in the paycheck it secured, but in the way it prepared you for a lifetime of curiosity, adaptability, and meaning?

At Campion College, we believe that deep thinking isn’t just a luxury – it’s essential. In this post, we’ll explore why an education rooted in big ideas and critical thought is not only fulfilling but also a powerful advantage in today’s unpredictable world.

Why the World Needs More Thinkers, Not Just Workers

We live in a world that moves fast. New industries emerge overnight, automation reshapes the job market, and entire career paths disappear within a decade. In this rapidly changing landscape, universities often respond by doubling down on job training and pushing students toward degrees that promise immediate employment.

But here’s the problem: technical skills can become outdated. The most valuable employees (and the most successful people) aren’t those who learned one specific task in university – they’re the ones who can think critically, solve complex problems, and adapt to whatever comes next.

This is why deep, interdisciplinary thinking matters. The ability to connect ideas across history, literature, philosophy, and theology isn’t just “intellectual fluff” – it’s what allows people to understand human behaviour, navigate ethical dilemmas, and make decisions that stand the test of time.

Think about the world’s greatest innovators and leaders. Steve Jobs credited a calligraphy class – something that had no immediate “practical” value at the time – as one of the inspirations behind Apple’s groundbreaking design. Winston Churchill’s deep knowledge of history and philosophy shaped his leadership during World War II. Today, tech CEOs, policymakers, and entrepreneurs repeatedly emphasise that the most important skills for the future aren’t coding or finance – they’re critical thinking, creativity, and ethical reasoning.

If the people shaping the future believe in the power of deep thinking, shouldn’t our education system reflect that? Shouldn’t we be preparing students not just to fit into the world as it is, but to shape the world as it could be?

At Campion College, we believe that education should be about more than just filling a role in the job market. It should be about cultivating minds that can challenge assumptions, see the bigger picture, and engage meaningfully with the world. Because in the end, the ability to think – to analyse, to question, to create – is the skill that never becomes obsolete.

The Myth of the “Useless” Degree

There’s a persistent belief that studying history, literature, philosophy, or theology doesn’t lead to a successful career. Many students feel pressure to choose a degree with a direct job outcome, worrying that anything else will leave them at a disadvantage. But the assumption that only vocational degrees lead to employment ignores a crucial fact: the most in-demand skills today aren’t tied to any one profession but to the ability to think critically, solve complex problems, and adapt to change.

Employers in law, business, and emerging industries increasingly seek graduates with strong analytical and communication skills. A study by Deloitte found that soft skills – such as problem-solving, critical thinking, and creativity – will be worth $25 billion to the Australian economy by 2030. Global companies like Google have publicly stated that they prioritise hiring employees with strong reasoning and communication abilities over those with narrowly defined technical expertise. This demand is reflected locally, too: Australian industries are shifting away from rigid, job-specific roles and toward adaptable, multi-skilled professionals who can engage with diverse perspectives and make informed decisions.

The impact of humanities graduates is evident across industries. Former American Express CEO Ken Chenault studied history before leading one of the world’s largest financial services companies, crediting his ability to analyse complex problems to his humanities education. Susan Wojcicki, the former CEO of YouTube, studied history and literature at Harvard, which she says helped her develop strong analytical and communication skills – both essential for leading a global tech company. Stewart Butterfield, co-founder and CEO of Slack, holds a degree in philosophy and has spoken about how studying logic and argumentation shaped his problem-solving approach in business. Even Michael Eisner, the former CEO of Disney, attributes his success in entertainment and storytelling to his background in English literature. These leaders didn’t succeed despite their humanities degrees – they succeeded because of them, using their ability to think critically, communicate persuasively, and understand human nature to thrive in unpredictable industries.

A narrowly focused degree might prepare you for your first job, but a broad, idea-driven education prepares you for the challenges of an entire lifetime. At Campion College, we believe that education should be about more than immediate job outcomes – it should equip you with the intellectual tools to navigate an uncertain future with confidence. Whether your path leads to law, media, academia, or leadership in another field, the ability to think critically and engage deeply with ideas will always set you apart.

What You Lose When You Only Focus on Career Outcomes

It’s easy to see why so many students feel pressured to choose a degree based purely on job prospects. With rising tuition costs and constant talk of economic uncertainty, it can feel like the safest option is to pick a field that leads directly to a specific career. But an education that only prepares you for a job – and nothing more – comes with hidden risks.

The first risk is intellectual stagnation. A narrowly focused degree often trains students for a particular role but leaves little room for deeper exploration. It prioritises information over understanding, and technique over insight. This can be limiting, especially as industries evolve and new challenges emerge. A person trained solely in one discipline may struggle to adapt when their field changes – or when they realise years later that their interests lie elsewhere.

The second risk is burnout and dissatisfaction. Some students choose degrees based on job security alone, only to find themselves in careers that feel uninspiring or unfulfilling. Without the foundation of a broad, idea-driven education, there’s little opportunity to develop a sense of purpose beyond professional success. In contrast, those who engage deeply with philosophy, history, and literature often develop a clearer understanding of what truly motivates them – whether that’s a commitment to justice, a passion for storytelling, or a drive to contribute meaningfully to society.

The third risk is a lack of adaptability. Career paths today are far less linear than they used to be. People change jobs, industries, and even entire fields multiple times throughout their lives. The ability to think critically, communicate clearly, and approach problems from multiple perspectives is what allows individuals to thrive in unpredictable environments. Employers know this, which is why companies like Google and Deloitte actively seek graduates with strong reasoning and analytical skills.

An education should be more than a means to an end – it should be a foundation for lifelong learning, curiosity, and personal growth. At Campion College, we believe that university isn’t just about securing a job straight out of graduation; it’s about developing the intellectual tools to navigate whatever comes next. A career may span decades, but the ability to think deeply lasts a lifetime.

Redefining Success in Education

For too long, success in education has been measured by how quickly a degree leads to a job. But the most meaningful and impactful careers aren’t built on job training alone – they are built on the ability to think deeply, adapt to change, and engage with the world in a thoughtful, informed way.

A narrowly focused degree might prepare you for a job, but a broad, idea-driven education prepares you for every opportunity that follows. History, philosophy, and literature don’t just teach us about the past; they teach us how to question, how to reason, and how to see the world in ways others might miss. The most successful leaders – whether in business, law, technology, or the arts – are often those who bring these skills to their fields, shaping industries rather than simply working within them.

At Campion College, we believe that university should be about more than just a paycheck. It should be about discovery, exploration, and the pursuit of knowledge for its own sake – because those who learn to think deeply will always find success, no matter where their path leads.

So, the real question isn’t “What are you going to do with that?” – it’s “What kind of life do you want to build?”

In 20 years, will you measure your success by your salary – or by the ideas that shaped your life?