How the humanities are more than just ‘soft skills’
A study on the Canada’s job market have projected the future job market to have a growing need for foundational skills such as critical thinking, coordination, social perceptiveness, active listening and complex problem-solving. The Canadian economy is also expected to have an additional 2.4 million jobs over the next four years, all of which will require integrated skills. Global competencies such as cultural awareness, language and adaptability will be in demand. The job market also be placing significant emphasis on judgement and decision-making with more than half of which valuing an ability to manage people and resources.
The impending employment scene will require lesser hard skills since technical work can be accomplished through technologies. Instead, the economy will need more people with the skills to place information into human context.
Research illustrates the positive correlation between the exposure to humanities and the heightened empathy and emotional intelligence among trainee doctors. Yet, many still question the practicality of pursuing a humanities degree.