4 Humanities Careers: Pursuing Meaningful Roles

A humanities degree opens doors to many fulfilling career paths. Humanities graduates possess unique skills — from the capacity to spark innovation to the ability to solve complex problems — and these skills are highly valued across industries. 

Individuals who are interested in learning about the benefits of studying humanities concepts such as cultural norms, philosophy, personal connections, and the arts should explore potential humanities career opportunities and discover how an advanced degree in humanities can further enhance their career prospects.
 

Why Earn a Humanities Degree?

Earning a humanities degree provides individuals with a strong foundation in critical thinking, communication, and cultural understanding. These skills are crucial in careers that involve meaningful work, making a difference, and being a leader. 

Humanities programs emphasize analytical thinking, effective communication, and ethical reasoning. Graduates are well prepared to tackle complex issues, propose innovative solutions, and lead initiatives that drive positive change. 

In addition, studying the humanities fosters a deep appreciation for diversity and cultural differences in communities, making graduates more empathetic and effective in collaborative environments.
 

Careers for Humanities Graduates

Students who earn a humanities degree have many career options after graduation. Career options for humanities degree-holders include the following four professions.

Community Leader

Community leaders organize events, advocate for local issues, and develop programs to improve a community’s well-being. They work closely with residents, stakeholders, and organizations to address the community’s needs and drive social change. 

One example of a type of community leader is a community service manager, who typically oversees the administrative, human resources, financial, planning, and reporting functions of public welfare programs. 

• Skills: Effective community leaders possess strong leadership, communication, problem-solving, and organizational skills. 
• Salary: Social and community service managers had a median annual salary of $77,030 in 2023, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). An individual’s salary depends on the size and scope of the organization they work for and the individual’s education and experience level. 
• Job Outlook: There is a steady demand for leaders in nonprofit and community organizations, as well as in government agencies focused on community development. The BLS projects that employment of social and community service managers will increase by 9% from 2022 to 2032, significantly outpacing the average growth rate of 3% projected for all occupations. 
• Requirements: A bachelor’s degree, along with experience in community work or related fields, is typically required. Some employers require a master’s degree.

Marketing Specialist

Marketing specialists develop strategies to promote products or services, create engaging content, manage marketing campaigns, and analyze market trends. They play a crucial role in helping organizations reach their target audiences and achieve their business goals. 

Given the importance of having an online presence today, marketing specialists may employ search marketing strategies, analyze web metrics, and develop recommendations to improve search engine rankings and visibility to reach target audiences. 

• Skills: Creativity, analytical thinking skills, communication skills, and proficiency in digital marketing are essential for success in this role. 
• Salary: The median annual salary for market research analysts and marketing specialists was $74,680 in 2023, according to the BLS. 
• Job Outlook: The demand for marketing specialists, particularly in digital marketing, continues to grow as organizations increasingly rely on online platforms. The BLS projects a healthy 13% job growth rate for the related role of market research analysts between 2022 and 2032. 
• Requirements: A bachelor’s degree in humanities, marketing, or a related field is typically required. A master’s degree and additional certification in digital marketing can enhance a candidate’s career prospects.

Editor

Editors are responsible for planning, coordinating, and revising content for publication. This includes editorial work for books, newspapers, periodicals, and websites — anything that requires written content. They evaluate story ideas and concepts and select material that will engage readers and satisfy clients. 

Editors review and revise content, manage publication schedules, and collaborate with writers to ensure they provide high-quality material. They work in various settings, including publishing houses, media companies, and online platforms. 

• Skills: Strong writing and editing abilities, attention to detail, and excellent organizational skills are critical for editors. 
• Salary: The median annual salary for editors was $75,020 in May 2023, according to the BLS. 
• Job Outlook: The outlook for editors is contingent upon opportunities in traditional publishing, media, and online content creation. The BLS projects that the employment of editors is expected to decrease slightly from 2022 to 2032. However, despite this decline, the BLS expects there will be approximately 11,600 editor job openings annually over the decade. These openings will primarily arise from the need to replace workers who transfer to different jobs or leave the workforce, including those who retire.
• Requirements: A bachelor’s degree in humanities, English, or journalism is typically required. Experience in writing and editing, along with a strong portfolio, is also important. A master’s degree can help enhance a candidate’s employment prospects.

Political or Policy Analyst

Political analysts research political trends, analyze policies, and provide insights to government agencies, political organizations, political candidates, and media outlets. They help shape public opinion and inform decision-making processes. 

Political scientists often serve as policy analysts for entities with a vested interest in policy, such as government bodies, labor unions, and political organizations. They analyze and review public opinion surveys, economic data, and election outcomes. Using this data, they strive to forecast the potential impacts of new policies and study the effects of existing policies. 

• Skills: Critical thinking, research, communication, and analytical skills are essential for political and policy analysts. 
• Salary: The median annual salary for political scientists was $132,350 in May 2023, according to the BLS. 
• Job Outlook: The demand for political scientists, including policy analysts, is favorable, particularly for those with specialized knowledge or experience in specific political areas. The BLS projects that employment in this occupational field will grow 7% from 2022 to 2032. 
• Requirements: A bachelor’s or master’s degree in humanities, political science, or a related field is typically required. Experience in research and policy analysis is also beneficial.
   

How Can a Master’s Degree in Humanities Advance Your Career?

There are many reasons to enroll in a master’s degree program. Earning a master’s degree in humanities can propel individuals into advanced or leadership roles. A humanities master’s program provides students with deep knowledge and abundant research opportunities, enhancing their expertise and making them more competitive candidates for jobs. 

With a master’s degree, graduates can move into senior humanities career positions that require advanced analytical and communication skills. In public service jobs with the federal government, salary bands are sometimes determined by the job candidate’s level of education — meaning that individuals with a master’s degree may earn more than those with only a bachelor’s. 

Earning a master’s degree also allows professionals to specialize in a particular area of interest, such as digital humanities; artificial intelligence; environmental sustainability; or diversity, equity, and inclusion to further distinguish themselves in the job market.
 

Make a Difference by Pursuing a Humanities Career

Pursuing a humanities career allows you to make a significant impact on society. Whether you’re interested in teaching, leading efforts to improve the well-being of people in a community, or driving innovation in the corporate world, a humanities degree provides a strong foundation. 

Explore graduate humanities programs to learn how they can help prepare you for an exciting career where you can make a difference. The online Master of Arts in Humanities program, offered by the Tseng College at California State University, Northridge, is tailored for individuals with diverse interests, such as business, education, art, and lifelong learning. It’s an excellent choice for those who seek to enrich their lives with meaning while maintaining flexibility for further exploration and professional growth. 

This fast-paced 20-month program is delivered entirely online, offering midcareer adults the flexibility to complete coursework at their convenience, and in a way that fits their schedule. All online programs at Tseng College are designed by the same esteemed faculty and industry experts as the on-campus programs. 

Learn more about how our humanities master’s degree program can be your springboard to a meaningful career.