“Exams are a poor substitute for real-life experience. They don’t give students the insight they need to succeed in today’s fast-paced world. In today’s economy, employers are looking for more than just a degree. They want people with a broad background in a wide variety of disciplines. That’s exactly what humanities majors provide: A wide-ranging background in multiple disciplines.”
“Universities have made it a priority to develop students who understand the importance of humanities,” said William Lager, director of humanities at Michigan State University. “This means more than classroom lectures and seminars. It also means having to find ways to make sure faculty members keep current on the most important issues of today and to provide the necessary skills that will be required in today’s career world.”
“Professors are often unaware that their own teaching is being used as a yardstick for measuring student performance,” says Mark Zingale, director of humanities at the University of Minnesota. “It’s a sad reality, but some professors are afraid to change. It’s a time-honored tactic to teach students what they think they already know. In the 21st century, the humanities may no longer be a necessity, but they’re crucial to learning and growth.” Students taking humanities courses, including humanities exams, at college or university level must possess excellent communication and leadership skills.
“To be successful in today’s economy, humanities majors need the tools they need to get their work done, not just in the classroom,” said Lager. “We need them to have hands-on experience. But there’s no reason to give up our hands in other aspects of the job, either. We need a strong set of skills in areas such as business management and communication. We can’t just call ourselves academics if we expect to lead.
“Homeschooled students of limited in their choices of colleges should consider hiring a home-based company that specializes in providing humanities training and support,” says Hurwitz. “”I have seen first-hand the benefits of humanities programs and mentoring,” said Jesse Hurwitz. “A few examples include having professors emailing assignments and helping with essay writing. I have had professors email a set of questions to me so I can research topics for my own writing project. I’ve heard of professors asking me for recommendations about sources and information.
“The best part of my internship was the support from the administrators and faculty,” Hurwitz continued. “They’re willing to go the extra mile to show me the way in order to keep me on track, especially in the beginning. If you‘re interested in getting into humanities, you might want to consider hiring someone who has had success in such an area, but isn’t afraid to ask for help.”
In fact, one of the best resources for finding a great internship in humanities programs is “Academics In Motion” website. They offer a variety of internship programs for students, including both university and community-based organizations. The best internship program will fit the students’ individual needs. Some examples are those at community colleges and universities, non-profit agencies, and even museums.
“Hindsight is always a good teacher,” says Lager. “When you’re working with students and trying to teach them the most important things, it’s important to have a few lessons to help guide the conversation. The most important thing to know is that humanities programs aren’t just about learning what books you read. It’s about connecting to people and making connections that are meaningful to them.”
Another option for finding the right humanities internship is to contact a national or state university or college for assistance. If they have a student internship program, they can usually point you to someone who can provide you with additional information. If they do not, they may have an alumni connection to a national agency that does. Most of these agencies offer internships in humanities for students in every field of study.
Before starting your internship program, you’ll need to make sure that you feel you’re ready. You’ll also want to consider how you plan to pay for it. Most of these agencies offer some type of financial aid to their clients. Be sure to check. The good news is that there are a lot of agencies available to help you find the best internship and pay.
