Not all students want to spend their college years solving science problems or crunching the numbers. Some students go to college with only a vague idea of what they want to do after graduation. Does that sound familiar? If you are the kind of student who would rather learn how the world works, then a bachelor's or master's degree in social sciences or humanities could be the right fit for you.
In the era of AI and Big Data, there is a high demand for STEM-based (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) programs and occupations abroad. But even then, the interest and passion for other courses and professions among international students remains unwavered – particularly in the case of HUMSS courses and jobs. Read on to learn what HUMSS means and why you should pursue it abroad.
Let’s dive right in…
What is the HUMSS Strand?
HUMSS is short for humanities and social sciences. It is an academic strand covering various fields that deal with the exploration of the human condition using analytical, critical, and empirical ways – and thereby studying changes in society and human behavior.
As per Britannica, humanities is the study of literature, history, arts, and philosophy. As a discipline, humanities concentrates on how individuals interact with one another and work together. Studying humanities will make you capable of effectively writing, analysing information, and conducting research, plus learning how to tap into your creativity and think critically. Writer Toni Morrison, former CEO of Disney Michael Eisner, and television host Conan O'Brien are some of the famous people with degrees in humanities.
On the other hand, Social Science is an academic branch that deals with how human beings interact in society, institutions, and the world at large. There are many sub-disciplines under social sciences, like psychology, economics, political science, and sociology.
People enrolled in courses related to HUMSS gain skills that are greatly valued at workplaces, like persuasive communication, research skills, analytical abilities, and critical thinking that affects decision-making.
Top Courses Under HUMSS
One of the questions that international students often ask is this: What are the courses under the HUMSS strand? Here is a short HUMSS courses list. But remember, the options to choose from in the academic world are much more.
- Psychology
- Sociology
- Education
- Journalism
- Economics
- Literature
- Philosophy
- Communication Arts
- Political Science
- Languages (Filipino and English)
- International Studies
Advantages of the HUMSS Courses
Flexibility
If you are aiming to pursue one of the best courses for HUMSS students, you will get flexibility on many levels. Firstly, the presence of different fields of study under the HUMSS strand offers countless higher education options. Several universities offer HUMSS programs at the Bachelor's and Master's levels, often combining language delivery with multiple disciplines.
Secondly, HUMSS recognizes that "a job for a lifetime" is an outdated concept as far as most people are concerned. Several HUMSS strand courses give a broader understanding of the world, thus prompting students to specialise further or look for jobs after graduation. When you enter college life as a teenager through one of the best HUMSS programs, this flexibility will be vital as you find your way abroad.
Valuable Skills
Pursuing an HUMSS degree offers you skills that will stay with you right through your professional and personal life. You will develop analytical, logical, presentation, and critical thinking skills during the course of your study.
As an HUMSS graduate, you will also have a profound understanding of the ways in which society works. An organisation cannot always function effectively without that understanding. Further, as STEM graduates develop the latest pieces of technology, people who study humanities apply those tech products and services in the real world.
Graduate Outcomes
Due to the skills mentioned above, employers consider HUMSS graduates to be important. As per many surveys, employers value oral and written communication, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills more than technical expertise.
As per a Campaign for Social Science report from 2013, around 78% of arts and humanities graduates and about 84% of social science graduates in the United Kingdom remained employed for 3.5 years following graduation. Furthermore, salaries for people with degrees from HUMSS courses and jobs related to HUMSS disciplines are higher than what many believe them to be. The starting salary for a humanities degree holder may be lower, but the pay gap between them and a STEM graduate narrows considerably as their career progresses. By the time you reach 35 to 40, as an HUMSS graduate, you may have the same salary or a higher package than your STEM counterpart.
Rewarding Career Options
The skills you gain from HUMSS courses and jobs in internship arrangements are applicable to every facet of life, which makes for very rewarding career options. Over a few decades, as an HUMSS graduate, you can be an educator, policymaker, journalist, and international development professional. For instance, Barack Obama is a political science graduate who worked in business, law, and community development before he entered politics and went on to become the President of the USA.
Read on:
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Top HUMSS Strand Jobs & Careers
After graduating from a Humanities or Social Sciences course abroad, you may pick from the following career paths that most HUMSS students opt for:
- Politician
- Journalist
- Police
- Criminologist
- News Anchor
- Consultant
- Archaeologist
- Cultural Anthropologist
- Historian
- Geologist
- Linguistic
- Park Interpreter
- Museum Curator
- Oceanographer
- Travel Guide
- Statistician
- Weather Forecaster
- Political Scientist
- Economist
- Sociologist
Remember, this is only a sample HUMSS career list; you can also pursue many other career paths, including one from the following:
Teachers
Educators design lessons that not only engage students but also motivate, instruct, and inspire them. Whether they are in preschool or graduate school, teachers play multiple roles, including those of counselors and mentors.
Advertisers
An advertiser builds, creates, and implements marketing campaigns to promote an individual, brand, service, and/or product. To ensure the success of each campaign, an advertiser performs market research, chooses the target audience, aligns promotional content with their brand's voice, and monitors overall campaign performance.
The key to being an effective advertiser is having the capability to analyse and comprehend human constructs and behavior. If you have a humanities degree, you could use the knowledge and insight you gained for career success in advertising. Keep reading this HUMSS job list for more options.
Entrepreneurs
An entrepreneur develops and markets a unique idea, service, or product. There are many entrepreneurial career options, including lifestyle, business, and social entrepreneurship.
When you study Humanities, you will write, read, and critically analyse literature, as well as understand the many related human development aspects that have helped shape human history. Some of those aspects are social mores, shifts in political systems and business activities, as well as advancements in technology and science. This understanding will add to your analytical and critical thinking skills, which will be indispensable in your entrepreneurial career.
For any assistance in choosing the best course for your dream career, don't hesitate to reach out to our counsellors.
Lawyers
There are many differences between lawyers and attorneys. Every attorney is a lawyer, but not every lawyer is an attorney. An attorney has to clear the bar exam in order to practise Law, whereas a lawyer has a degree in Law and practises Law without passing the exam.
A Social Science degree can be your pathway toward a profession in Law and help you prepare for law school admission tests. A pre-law program at the undergraduate level, coupled with a major in social sciences, may contribute to determining whether you will focus on one specific legal area, like human rights, environmental law, corporate law, or criminal law.
Social Services Directors
As a social services director, you will have to not only identify people who require assistance but also act as a liaison between external and internal stakeholders. It takes much experience working at many different levels of a social services organisation to be a social services director in the private or public sector.
A viable option for a person with a major in Sociology is to be a licensed professional in the area of social work. With hands-on expertise in social work, social services directors can also fight for the underrepresented and disenfranchised by influencing public policy.
Best Countries to Study HUMSS Courses
Do you dream of pursuing a degree abroad for a career in humanities or social sciences? If so, some of the best countries where you can turn your dream into a reality are the UK, Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, Canada, and the USA. Employers in these countries also seek candidates with HUMSS-related skills such as problem-solving, communication, critical thinking, and creativity.
- Australia
- United Kingdom
- Canada
- United States
- New Zealand
- Ireland
Which is Better: Pursuing a degree in STEM or HUMSS?
It depends on what you want to do after graduation. If you have a specific career path in mind that involves solving science or mathematical problems, a STEM course may be right for you. However, if your interests lie elsewhere in the realm of social sciences and humanity-related subjects, you may want to access a broader variety of career paths with a HUMSS degree.
Is Psychology a STEM or HUMSS Field?
Yes, it is an HUMSS specialization.
What Are Some Jobs Under HUMSS Strand?
As specified in the aforementioned HUMSS job list, there are more career paths in this strand than you may think. Not all HUMSS students dream of becoming politicians or educators. If you earn an HUMSS degree, you could also become a teacher, lawyer, psychologist, social worker, reporter, or writer.
Can I Become a Doctor If My Academic Strand is HUMSS?
No. Do you want to become any kind of medical professional? If so, your best possible option would be to pursue a STEM degree rather than a HUMSS degree.
If you wish to know where the best location is for HUMSS courses abroad, our counsellors are only a click away.
