Perhaps more than any other field of knowledge, the humanities revolve around people – their histories and all the traces they leave behind in the form of languages, art, mindsets, music and so on. Many humanities students also say that, on completion of their studies, they want to work with people. Of course, exactly what each of them mean by this varies.
Your studies give you in-depth knowledge in a certain humanistic subject area. However, no matter which humanistic subjects you study, you will also acquire a long list of more general skills and abilities. These are central to and usable in very many different professions and activities – not just in a certain subject. For example, cognitive, analytical, critical and linguistic skills as well as ability to communicate.
You may not even have noticed or thought about it, but many of the skills and abilities we list below are trained, directly or indirectly, through various forms of teaching and examination. Altogether, they give you a solid foundation, no matter which sort of work with people you will be doing.
Common ways of working during studies | Abilities that are often requested in job adverts |
Independently organising parts of your studies. Taking responsibility for when, where and how you study. | Willingness and ability to take responsibility. Independence and ability to take the initiative. Planning and organisational abilities. Ability to work to deadlines/clear time frames. |
Solving problems and tasks, interpreting, critically assessing, mulling over various issues, linking theory to practical experience. | Problem-solving ability and creativity. Analytical ability and critical thinking. Good communication abilities. |
Expressing knowledge, ideas and arguments in short and long texts. Giving written and oral reports. Perhaps studying another language. | Facility in oral and written expression. Good computer skills and language skills. |
Finding, evaluating and processing information, not only in course literature, but also via search engines and databases. Discussing and explaining to others what you have read and decided. | Willingness and ability to assimilate new knowledge. |
Working with various people on group tasks and meeting people with different backgrounds. Studying abroad or hosting a foreign student. | Ability to collaborate, social skills and leadership ability. |
When writing cover letters or preparing for an interview, work from the phrases below.
This page is printed from the following webpage:
http://studentportal.gu.se/english/my-studies/hum/Career+and+working+life/studying-now/your-capabilities/?languageId=100001&skipSSOCheck=true&referer=http%3A%2F%2Fstudentportal.gu.se%2Fminastudier%2Fhum%2FExamen%2Boch%2Barbetsliv%2Fstuderar-humaniora-nu%2Fdina-kompetenser
Print date:
2023-05-31
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