There was a big misconception in my high school class and various friend groups that people who pursued history majors could only become history teachers, a looping cycle. However, we failed to realize that transferrable skills and intellectual curiosity are the valuable products that such a major gives us. One friend of mine with a History degree conducted extensive research about how technological innovation can shape public policy, particularly in national security. The same is true for many fields of study traditionally classified as liberal arts.
While studying international relations, I learned a new language, developed an eagerness to learn about new cultures, and improved my written and oral communication skills. All of these talents are useful within a globalized work environment. Last Wednesday, I attended a conference about U.S.-Taiwan relations as a student observer. Most of the attendees were adults representing Taiwanese and American companies looking to create partnerships and share their forecasts for the next few years. Even though I was likely the youngest person in the room by decades, I connected well with several attendees using the skills I learned.
