Liberal Arts

Typically, the term “liberal arts” refers to a blend of literature, poetry, philosophy, and social sciences, but its scope is broader. It also includes physical sciences and mathematics. The objective of a liberal arts curriculum is to create a balance that fosters understanding of both the physical world and the human experience, along with the ability to articulate thoughts on both. Focusing solely on either aspect can lead to a narrow understanding, and without clear communication, the significance of one’s knowledge diminishes.

Ultimately, the liberal arts explore the relationship between humanity and the universe we inhabit. How do we reconcile the stark realities of existence and the potential heat death of the universe, as informed by modern science, without philosophical insight? Humanity often grapples with the harsh truths of nature.

The liberal arts provide the foundational framework for contextualizing science within human experiences and vice versa. This interplay fosters ethical considerations in scientific endeavors and deepens our comprehension of the human experience. We investigate the universe's complexities and discern the systems that govern it, society, and ourselves. Each element interacts with the others, creating a continuum where individual growth and philosophical inquiry coexist seamlessly.

Communication

My father often remarked, “It doesn’t matter how intelligent you are if you can’t express it.” This served as both a reminder to keep my ego in check and a caution against being overly specialized.

Effective teaching relies on clear communication, a principle that holds true even if one does not aspire to teach. When training a new colleague or explaining a concept to someone outside your field, your ability to convey information demonstrates your command of the subject.

Self-Expression and Communication

During college, I financed a considerable portion of my tuition by editing and writing for STEM students. The errors I encountered in their papers were often more tragic than humorous. Despite being native speakers, many struggled with basic writing skills. The complexity of their topics frequently left their arguments disorganized. At times, I found myself needing to clarify the intended message of their work.

Establishing a solid foundation in science requires strong interpersonal and communication skills. The arts and humanities foster self-expression and effective communication, which are desperately needed in STEM fields. While sciences provide terminology and subjects, these become meaningless without the ability to organize and present them coherently. Pure science may lack warmth, but society thrives on connection. It is essential to present information attractively to engage those outside one's area of expertise.

Diversity in Thought Process

While science is crucial for human advancement, it must operate within an ethical framework. Should individuals be coerced into participating in medical research for the sake of expediency? History has shown that the answers to such questions can be unsettling. As science evolves, so too must our ethical standards and philosophical views regarding its role in society. We are not machines; we are individuals shaped by our society, which in turn shapes us. This mutual relationship is crucial, and neglecting it risks repeating past mistakes.

Liberal arts education illuminates the human aspects of scientific inquiry. Varied perspectives enrich our thought processes, and disciplines like literature, social sciences, and philosophy equip us to relate to one another. Meanwhile, the hard sciences help us understand the vast universe.

Thinking Outside the Field

How does Geographic Information Systems (GIS) relate to marketing? What connections exist between automation and customer service? Where can writing skills lead in scalable IT contexts? Without a broad knowledge base, these questions remain unanswered. Capitalizing on inter-industry similarities requires thinking beyond one's comfort zone; specialization alone is insufficient.

Rounding Out Skills

Achieving balance is vital for success in both the workplace and society. Skills must be diversified to fill gaps from earlier education and to enhance one’s understanding of purpose. Efficiently profiting from your work demands an appreciation of its value.

Understanding the Business

Businesses consist of various components, both technical and non-technical, that must function harmoniously for success. Without grasping the economic principles underlying a business, making informed technical decisions becomes impossible.

In the oil and gas industry, I witnessed an engineer propose a method that would double the cost of each well for only a marginal increase in output. His lack of understanding of basic economic principles could have led to significant losses for the company if his suggestions hadn’t been scrutinized.

Many engineering programs are beginning to address this issue by incorporating business and entrepreneurship courses. While these initiatives are beneficial, they do not resolve the entire problem. Numerous factors, such as safety, ethical considerations, and environmental impacts, also require thorough examination.

Patching Holes

How can effective communication occur if one struggles with basic sentence structure? Unfortunately, this scenario is all too common among many STEM students I encountered. They often hoped that applying math and science would solve any problem, even when faced with creative prompts. Numerous classmates nearly failed literature classes, which many dismissed as trivial.

For many, this struggle wasn’t due to a lack of intelligence; rather, they lacked the fundamental tools to grasp the material and articulate their thoughts. The humanities inherent in liberal arts education emphasize communication skills. Mathematics tends to reinforce itself, while philosophy encourages dialogue. Curricula enriched with liberal arts perspectives foster diverse viewpoints, helping individuals either catch up or confront the stark reality of their deficiencies.

Why the Baseline Matters

The freshman literature class that left my friend anxious about Frankenstein should have served as a cautionary tale, yet he chose to avoid the issue. Though he graduated, he faced challenges in moving beyond the niche he created in college, lacking the essential skills to pursue broader opportunities, leading to limited job offers.

“A jack of all trades is a master of none, but oftentimes better than a master of one.”

I have successfully transitioned across various industries, adapting to challenges because of my ability to communicate effectively and my diverse educational background. While luck played a role, I leveraged the similarities between fields to my advantage. Skills in GIS translated into marketing expertise, and writing experience opened doors to technical roles. Understanding how the components fit together facilitates lateral movement and growth in new sectors.

Moving Forward

Science does not exist in isolation. With the approaching technological singularity, society must reevaluate how technology influences it and our current standing. Science has led to both remarkable advancements in medicine and destructive capabilities in atomic physics, and the implications of these advancements hinge on how we apply them. Medicinal science has produced both life-saving vaccines and devastating chemical weapons, while atomic physics has given us nuclear energy and weapons.

When scientists and healthcare professionals discuss Thimerosal, presenting it as a “non-bioactive form of mercury,” those lacking scientific literacy might only hear “mercury.” Regrettably, the gap between the scientific community and the general public continues to widen. Should we adjust our messaging for those who may not understand the details? Likely not, but they possess equal voting rights in a democracy, and there are more of them than those with scientific knowledge. It’s essential for science to engage with society once again.

STEM must broaden its focus and reintegrate human elements into its framework. Communication is crucial. What are the implications of your work within the larger context? Both your employer and society need to understand this significance. STEM should strive for a more holistic approach rather than narrowing its focus further. While Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics are pivotal for humanity’s future, they must not abandon the human aspect.