This week, I had the pleasure of meeting and speaking with two distinguished HSU graduates. They were in town, on campus, and spoke in one of my classes. (PSCI 364 - Technology and Development, if you’re wondering.) They are both environmental engineers - involved in international development programs around the world and they’re doing great things. However, it wasn’t just the work that they talked about that stood out. It was what they said about students in the humanities. About students in social science who could communicate with a diversity of different people from a variety of backgrounds.
I’ve often talked with fellow classmates about careers and post HSU work and how it might relate to our major. About how we can apply the skills we’ve developed in the program into positions with organizations near and far. It’s daunting. But they are questions we have to consider. (Being seniors, and all.)
My conversation with the two graduates had one important “take home” piece. They talked about the skills they look for when bringing on new staff. The want “integrators,” or people that can communicate ideas well with others. People who can establish trust and who can create connections with communities when establishing national and international projects.
I found that enlightening - to hear it come directly from people immersed in humanitarian efforts around the world only added to the hope I have. Sarah once said that our jobs don’t even exist yet. That we have to go out there and create them. And that’s absolutely true. We’re critically analyzing the world around us. The skills we have - are needed in a world where disciplines are collaborating on complicated issues. We can serve as a bridge between disciplines that help bring people together. Or we can be the voice that challenges a status quo that is unjust. All we need to do is create those jobs.
Let’s be deliberate about that creation - while not becoming overwhelmed by careers that don’t yet exist.
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