The QA Commons is mindful of the dramatic and transformational impact COVID-19 is having on all institutions of higher education. As an organization, we are adapting our services to support preparing graduates for the workplace that is now changing more precipitously than ever.
While Art, English, and Philosophy may compete to be such stuff as parental nightmares are made when it comes to their children’s chosen majors– “How will they ever get a job?!”– Salisbury University is actively working to debunk this myth by collaborating with QA Commons to identify and strengthen employability skills within their liberal arts curriculum. These three programs are the first in the nation in the liberal arts field to receive QA Commons’ Essential Employability Qualities Certification (EEQ CERT). Each program was found to develop very strong Employability Qualities in their students. Detailed feedback reports provided to the programs give them ideas for the identified “areas of opportunity” with respect to the Employability Framework.
QA Commons believes liberal arts programs must prepare students for diverse career paths by encouraging career exploration and teaching them to articulate their skills to employers. Now is the time for humanities programs to act. Rapid technological advances are increasing the demand for communication, critical thinking, and creativity. As a Goldman Sachs tech exec with a history degree says, “AI is leading to the revenge of the liberal arts majors.”
Each program worked collaboratively with QA Commons to investigate strengths and areas for growth in each of the Essential Employability Qualities (EEQs). After learning more about each program’s needs, goals and resources, QA Commons then performed an exhaustive assessment of the curriculum, cataloging each class’ employability skills compatibility. Each program was additionally assessed in five key categories:
These categories contain several criteria, each evaluated on a scale ranging from emerging to acceptable to exemplary. QA Commons also provided additional comments on Equitable Outcomes, addressing opportunities to meet each institution’s goals related to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Many liberal arts students struggle to identify their own employability skills, but can be surprised and empowered to discover just how many they have. Salisbury University’s Art department graduates come away with intensive experience in providing and receiving feedback through their critique process. These students are well-positioned to thrive in work environments that require ongoing evaluation, proactive problem-solving, goal-setting, and iterative improvement. As noted by faculty, “The creative process is not just artsy magic. It is an intellectual exercise requiring discipline, flexibility, and grit.” Resilience and adaptability are required to battle through any robust creative problem.
Within Salisbury’s English department, practical exercises such as journal presentations, book review pitches, and multimodal project presentations refine students’ verbal and written communication abilities, fostering confidence and professionalism. Particularly impressive are the learning and adaptability skills fostered through exercises that emphasize continuous improvement, feedback, and reflection. These skills are critical for professional growth, innovation, and success in dynamic work environments. In two 400-level courses, career exploration is addressed, with students required to conduct research on a position within a company and prepare a resume and cover letter.
Philosophy is widely regarded as one of the best college majors for developing critical thinking skills and Salisbury’s program lives up to that reputation. What is most notable about the program is its commitment to individualized mentorship and career preparation. Strong student-faculty relationships are forged, enabling personalized career guidance and mentoring. Faculty actively discuss career plans with students, helping students align their academic and professional goals. The program maintains an extensive and diverse alumni network, which spans several generations and includes professionals from fields such as law, finance, technology, education, and more. Alumni are actively engaged in mentoring current students, offering valuable advice and guidance.
QA Commons was also able to identify areas for further development in each of these programs, including digital literacy skill-building, such as coding or understanding web-based and interactive media for Art students. Offering students workshops and certifications in emerging technologies like virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), and artificial intelligence (AI) in art would keep students at the forefront of digital innovation and make them more competitive in the job market. Distinct recommendations were made for the English and Philosophy departments, as well.
According to Cristina Cammarano, Professor of Philosophy at Salisbury, “The EEQ certification process for our department was an “all hands on deck” journey of self-knowledge and discovery. We are excited to see that the good work we do with our students helps cultivate excellent and desirable skills for their adult life and employment – on top, of course, of the philosophical wisdom they achieve themselves through their studies!” QA Commons is excited to work with more liberal arts programs to continue mining the value that these departments offer to students as they prepare for a career after graduation.
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