Making a career change can feel overwhelming.
Looking for a job change? Studying the digital humanities can help.
As the new year approaches, so do the opportunities- specifically, new job opportunities. What better way to jump into 2022 than with a career change in the digital humanities? Digital humanities is an up-and-coming, broad and relevant field that will soon become a valuable asset in most tech-driven workplaces… which describes most establishments circa 2020.
What is digital humanities?
PC Mag referred to Digital Humanities as “the most exciting field you’ve never heard of” in a post back in 2017. Since 2017, the digital humanities are gaining popularity. But, how do we define this field of study?
Digital humanities includes many areas of study. Commonly, this field includes history, theology, philosophy, or languages. When you consider the digital portion of digital humanities, that’s referring to the use of and design of digital tools.
Dr. Erin Laverick is the program director for Concordia University Ann Arbor’s M.A. in Digital Humanities. She defines digital humanities like this: “Digital humanities prepares students not only in honing their content knowledge of a particular field…it also teaches them how to use and design digital tools.”
How the digital humanities can help you through a job change
Changing careers can be tricky. When you’re applying for jobs, articulating what you’re passionate about and where you’re skilled will help you and the hiring manager see if you’re a good fit for the job. But, what if you’re feeling insecure about these factors? This is where studying the digital humanities comes into play. Taking the time to surround yourself in content you love, all while using and building digital tools will help you feel more confident.
If you study the digital humanities, it’s up to you to decide what your future holds. Some examples of jobs you that field include:
- Web designer
- Communications specialist
- User Experience (UX) designer
- Archivist
- Curator or museum director
But do I really need a master’s degree?
The answer is…it depends. These days, the required bachelor’s degree or master’s degree is becoming less common. One benefit to a master’s degree is the potential for a higher salary. It’s true that boot camps and certificate programs can be useful. However, often these fast-tracked programs lack the depth needed to learn the content well.
Earning your master’s in digital humanities allows you to display your research and process. Plus, each of your professors is an expert in their field, so you can be sure you’re learning from the best.
Digital humanities at Concordia University Ann Arbor
If you’re thinking about making a job change, learn more about what Concordia’s M.A. in Digital Humanities could do for you.
— Vanessa Lane is the Content Marketing Lead at Concordia University and can be reached at vanessa.lane@cuaa.edu. When she's not at work, she can be found playing with her kids or watching NBA basketball with her husband.
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