Thank you, John Buttrick, for your My Turn column explaining the value of studying the humanities. I’m retired now, but I started my work life having an English BA. I had a successful career working in four different industries. The skills I acquired in college (and later in a graduate degree) taught me how to think! I could apply my skills to various companies, positions, and situations. Knowledge of different companies and industries can be learned on the job. Skills to effectively problem solve, communicate, create effective teams, critically analyze situations, and much more come with you from job to job.

Frequently executives from other departments would come to me to check important communications (letters or presentations) to make sure their writing communicated what they wanted to say. I feel that my English degree absolutely gave me the foundation for success. I would encourage anyone who loves reading, art, philosophy, foreign languages, or any of the humanities to pursue that course of education without fearing that you won’t have success in the real world.

Joanne Casino

Concord

]]>