Claim OwnershipWhat Are You Going to Do with That?
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© National Humanities Alliance 2022
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This podcast from the National Humanities Alliance explores everyday folks’ decisions to study the humanities as undergraduates and their pathways to fulfilling careers. It is designed for students drawn to study the humanities in college who might be concerned about what that might mean for their career. It's also for those who advise such students, whether as parents or professionals. The stories in this podcast debunk widespread misperceptions about humanities majors’ career prospects by highlighting some of the limitless possibilities for applying humanities knowledge and skills in today’s workforce. Season 1 features a diverse group of young professionals with humanities backgrounds working in a variety of industries. Season 2 features 8 stories about diverse professionals with humanities backgrounds who not only do well for themselves but do good for the world. Focusing on one individual per episode, the podcast invites listeners to learn what motivated them to study the humanities and how they built a successful and fulfilling career using the knowledge and skills they gained through those studies. In this way, the podcast traces pathways from undergraduate humanities majors to careers in law, medicine, public health, finance, technology, social enterprise, museums, public relations, philanthropy, podcasting, filmmaking, and high-end food production. Each episode is also framed around a broader theme that applies to humanities career pathways across career fields and disciplines. Listen to learn why students can pursue their interests in the humanities with confidence.
16 Episodes
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In this episode, Walter Cabal shares how studying philosophy helped him to forge his own path and build a career that integrates passions for writing, design, and craft. After college, Walter built his own craft leather goods business while continuing to hone his writing skills through a variety of freelance assignments. Today, he works as a university communications editor to convey the value of higher education while continuing Cabal Crafted. Walter credits his philosophical education not only with providing the skills to advance along these parallel paths, but the courage and confidence to persevere through challenges and build a meaningful life that is all his own. You can access a transcript of this episode here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1jsdu8DQE7t23MpKZQCqsio-smEG4jKLz/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=110878728063507102512&rtpof=true&sd=true
In this episode, emergency medicine physician Tom Grosheider describes how he draws on his humanities background every day as he provides culturally competent care to members of the Navajo and Hopi tribes at Tuba City Regional Hospital. Tom’s story shows how a strong background in the humanities helps doctors to empathize with patients and adjust their communication and treatment to better address systemic inequalities.You can access a transcript of this episode here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1CWsxk7fp-0v83rRbAJQJ4Rf3imngOvO9/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=110878728063507102512&rtpof=true&sd=true
Meet Emma Haberman, Director of Special Projects at World Central Kitchen, a non-profit that mobilizes a vast network of chefs and volunteers to provide quality meals to communities in the wake of various disasters. Emma shares how studying art history and French in college honed her curiosity and ethical sensibilities and ultimately led to a fulfilling career forwarding causes she believes in. Learn how Emma draws on her humanities background as she works with resourcefulness and hospitality to respond to the human suffering brought on by the increase in catastrophic events resulting from climate change.You can access a transcript of this episode here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1-2LvK895_DEY1ySnO4ZxuyIBwgy3aQtl/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=110878728063507102512&rtpof=true&sd=true
In this episode, Brandon Williams describes how his African American studies major and English minor opened up new possibilities for his life and career. His story shows how deep reflection on the legacy of racism in the United States in humanities classrooms can prepare you to play a role in building a brighter and more equitable future. Learn how Brandon is applying the knowledge and skills he gained in college to make positive change in his community and beyond as a consultant for Frontline Solutions.You can access a transcript of this episode here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1ASBr_avld38cpiLlJYNii-4bLoKTOh1T/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=110878728063507102512&rtpof=true&sd=true
Meet Hannah Hethmon, founder of Better Lemon Creative Audio and creator of more than a dozen podcasts that make the crucial work of cultural organizations come alive. Hannah describes how pursuing her love of literature and history cultivated the passion, skills, and drive necessary to build a successful and fulfilling enterprise, one that elevates the work of organizations she cherishes. Her story shows how studying the humanities positions you to seize unanticipated professional opportunities as they emerge.https://docs.google.com/document/d/1h7UwAQJJkqQc3tB05_NJCNz1NPGqU-cw/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=110878728063507102512&rtpof=true&sd=true
Filmmaker Colin Rosemont explains how studying the humanities has prepared him to tell deeper, richer stories. Colin shares the passions and interests cultivated through his humanities education through films that connect with important social and cultural issues, including multiple documentaries exploring the history and experiences of California native tribes. His story also illustrates practical applications of humanities knowledge and skills, which he leveraged in a variety of engaging employment opportunities along his path to becoming an independent filmmaker.You can access a transcript of this episode here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1b81POumw_Qo04Iv_DHW18lZGj00eyNUD/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=110878728063507102512&rtpof=true&sd=true
Lauren McCraney shares how returning to school to pursue her passion for the humanities catapulted her to an inspiring second career. Through her studies, Lauren discovered a calling to support vulnerable migrant communities in her home state of Florida, including farmworkers and women and children impacted by human trafficking. These experiences led her to found Woven Women Collective, a social enterprise that provides Guatemalan women with sustainable work and social support while also preserving the artisanal textile production traditions these communities have developed over generations.You can access a transcript of this episode here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1ZM_dprTsmjdFmqZjWZDOPkCPwjCa-uuU/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=110878728063507102512&rtpof=true&sd=true
Debo Adegbile shares how studying the humanities prepared him for a successful legal career through which he has fought for justice and equal opportunity for all citizens. He describes how following his interests in the humanities imparted the skills, values, and a breadth of perspective that empowered him to take on some of our society’s most complex issues, including voting rights, police reform, and bias in artificial intelligence. Debo’s story shows how the humanities prepare you to both “do good” and “do well.”You can access a transcript of this episode here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1ar7E1aR2O3cwaHYUn9U1nfMpUAsiORzM/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=110878728063507102512&rtpof=true&sd=true
Jason Morales shares how his liberal arts background and English major helped him develop the critical thinking and communication skills that have proven crucial to his success in business, earning him a reputation as a creative problem-solver. Nurturing his intellectual curiosity has led Jason to increasingly exciting and challenging opportunities that keep his work fresh and engaging.You can access a transcript of this episode here:https://docs.google.com/document/d/1tqlM-qvCId93KlLK_cUcZLZz-mjfjU34/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=110878728063507102512&rtpof=true&sd=true
Brendalee Brown reflects on how she found her stride through her slow-emerging love of history, which she then leveraged to advance a career in museums. Like countless other humanities majors who have pursued careers in education, libraries, and cultural organizations, Brendalee finds fulfillment facilitating the kinds of invigorating intellectual experiences that helped her come into her own for folks in her community.You can access a transcript of this episode here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1284W3N_nddRxpHbmCJ2Y5KQsT_2UnmPs/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=110878728063507102512&rtpof=true&sd=true
Think you need to pursue a STEM major to succeed in the tech world? Think again! In this episode, we meet Annie Hallman, one of countless humanities majors who have built a successful tech career by combining skills gained through the humanities with technical capacities acquired on the job. Annie reflects on her journey and how her English major equipped her to become a leader in her field.You can access a transcript of this episode here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1xmcc0FRKttGcUgjijH0FUvCTBk6_CDgR/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=110878728063507102512&rtpof=true&sd=true
Andrew Bagley shares how studying the humanities (in this case, history) can help you make partner by 35…and actually enjoy it! Andrew’s story shows, more broadly, how the self-directed nature of humanistic study enables you to design a curriculum that provides a direct on-ramp for your chosen profession. You can point a humanities education in whatever direction you want to go!You can access a transcript of this episode here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1zoChtaU00rm04p6l5WI2Qt7I4wbcODLp/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=110878728063507102512&rtpof=true&sd=true
While students may feel pressured to determine a precise plan for their college education and career from the outset, the reality is that their understanding of both their academic and professional opportunities is very limited. For the vast majority of folks, finding the right fit requires exploration. Catherine Woodling reflects on how allowing her interests to evolve as she pursued a political science major and Spanish minor ultimately led her to a more optimal professional path than the one she had planned.You can access a transcript of this episode here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/16LhggmXskMKORAZnEfs-_lhG9wNbaaIn/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=110878728063507102512&rtpof=true&sd=true
Meet Kate Barney, who turns the stereotype of the humanities major working in the service industry on its head. Kate’s American Studies major enabled her to nurture her passion for fine food while developing highly valued transferable skills that propelled her forward to increasingly exciting opportunities in the food industry. Her story represents a broader path to success for humanities majors in whatever industry interests them.You can access a transcript of this episode here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1GvKbtqSIhG1MV_QuNx5p9CBQTttwMD9A/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=110878728063507102512&rtpof=true&sd=true
Like many students, Betselot Wondimu found himself unexpectedly pulled toward a humanities major (in this case, anthropology) when he found it to be the best platform for pursuing his burning questions and advocating for the change he wanted to see in the world. Hear Betselot reflect on why leaving the pre-med path to study anthropology has proven to be the right choice for him.You can access a transcript of this episode here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1akcYgCJ1hyP67R5BHwCyv6MQCu83ZqQI/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=110878728063507102512&rtpof=true&sd=true
A brief introduction to season 1 of What Are You Going to Do with That? Get a taste of the stories you'll hear from everyday folks with humanities backgrounds working in a wide range of fields. Keep listening to learn how they’ve built fulfilling careers with the knowledge and skills they gained in college.
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