Half of Canadian jobs will require a major skills shift in the next 10 years as technological advancements change the way we work.* The ability to communicate, solve problems, think critically and collaborate will enable you to navigate a rapidly changing labour market. “As we have seen in the last decade, it is very important that graduates are able to adapt to changing economies, as well as a change in personal interest,” says recent uLethbridge graduate Nicholas Rickards. “With a liberal education, your program is diversified and you gain great skills applicable to any profession. It also enables you to become an engaged and criticalthinking student and citizen.”
A middle school teacher in Lethbridge, Nicholas has combined his passions — working with young people and writing. He went on to complete a Master of Arts at uLethbridge and is currently writing a chapter for a book. “It has all come together really well and I am excited to see where it takes me!”
How can a liberal education help you? It’s what employers want According to a study of Canada’s largest employers, when evaluating entry-level hirees employers value soft skills over technical knowledge. The soft skills most often listed as desirable by employers include relationship-building, communication and problemsolving skills, analytical and leadership abilities — attributes developed and honed through studies in the social sciences and humanities. Business Council of Canada and Aon Hewitt, Developing Canada’s future workforce: A survey of large private-sector employers, 2016 (Universities Canada)
It’s what 55% of the world’s professional leaders have The social sciences and humanities together make up more than half of bachelor’s degrees among current professional leaders with higher education qualifications, across 30 countries and all sectors. Younger leaders (under 45 years of age) are more likely to hold a degree in social sciences or the humanities. British Council, Educational Pathways of Leaders: An international comparison, 2015 (Universities Canada)
*Source: RBC, Humans Wanted – How Canadian youth can thrive in the age of disruption, April 2018
Dinah Davis (BSc ‘02)
Vice-President (Research and Development) Arctic Wolf Networks; Founder, codelikeagirl.io
“I always loved mathematics and problem solving. It would have been very easy for me to go to a non-liberal education school and only take math and computing courses with nothing else in the mix. However, I don’t think I would have been nearly as successful as I am today. Not only did uLethbridge expose me to many different ideas and ways of seeing the world, it also put me in contact with many people outside my discipline. This made me a more empathetic person who can relate to many types of people, not just the logical thinkers of the world. I think this above all things has given me an edge in the technology industry.” After graduating from uLethbridge, Dinah continued her education by completing a Master of Mathematics Degree in Cryptography, the practice of secure digital communication. She is currently the vice-president of research and development at Arctic Wolf Networks, a cyber security start-up. In addition to her professional responsibilities, she is a passionate advocate for young women in technologyrelated fields and founded codelikeagirl.io to actively empower women to become leaders in the industry. 21