Why take liberal education classes?

IT students sometimes question the value of liberal education courses and tend to devote little time to them. After students graduate, however, they report that they regret not paying more attention to this aspect of their education. Liberal education courses provide breadth of perspective and skills that are useful in your work.

A few years ago we interviewed some managers and vice presidents of technical firms and asked them to rate the importance of certain characteristics in their technical employees. The most important characteristics, rated on a scale of one to five, are:

Ability to speak and write well	4.8
Intellectual honesty	4.8
Willingness to take risks and learn from mistakes	4.7
Self-confidence	4.5
Perseverance	4.3
Ability to work with people of diverse backgrounds	4.2

This list is remarkable. These senior managers did not talk about technical skills, although these skills are certainly necessary. Instead they talked about qualities they often find lacking in their employees. The general education courses you take, as well as the extracurricular activities that you pursue, can help you develop these important skills.

As you attend college, keep in mind the following characteristics of an educated person:

Knows the basics of a discipline
The discipline provides a way of approaching problems and a way of thinking as well as an introduction to a body of knowledge

Speaks and writes clearly
Whatever you do, you will not work in a vacuum. The best ideas benefit no one if they cannot be shared.

Knows something of the arts, humanities, and social sciences
These disciplines help us understand the human condition, enrich our lives, and enhance our interactions with one another.

Understands and appreciates the diversity of human cultures
We live in a small and increasingly heterogeneous world; we must know how to benefit from this diversity.

Able to use mathematical and scientific reasoning
IT students gain this ability through their engineering or scientific studies.

Admits when he or she doesn't know the answer
Nothing is quite as dangerous as thinking we know the answer when we don't.

Able to learn independently
Helping you learn how to learn is the most important thing we can do for you while you are here. Increasingly over the next four years we will be asking you to plan your own learning strategies.

Liberal education requirements