Before the GenAI fever, there was a major push—from most of the business community and political leaders—toward STEM majors. In the USA, the number of students enrolled in the humanities plummeted. In the UK, they say the crisis in humanities majors was not as severe. In many developing countries, leaders from various sectors pushed even harder in favor of STEM fields.

These days, some business leaders are calling for a greater emphasis on the humanities in education.

LinkedIn’s Chief Economic Opportunity Officer, Aneesh Raman, has reported that companies like Goldman Sachs are also looking to hire individuals with philosophy degrees to help shape ethical frameworks. Meanwhile, plenty of YouTubers are now categorically discouraging learning to code or majoring in IT—as if we were witnessing a resurgence in enthusiasm for the humanities.

It is as if we are witnessing a resurgence in cheering for the humanities.

Arguments to defend either side abound. Some will tell you that graduates from the social sciences and humanities are able to find new jobs during economic downturns or after being made redundant. They are said to have flexible skills that allow them to adapt to different roles. Others will argue that STEM graduates—whether they work in a STEM field or not—tend to perform better than other majors and often move into management quickly.

It’s easy to be swept away or lose your composure, especially during times of transition, when many are shouting a jobless future. Social media is full of “do’s” and “don’ts”— E.g. “Don’t study this or that.

How about paying less attention to people dictating what you should and shouldn’t do and instead becoming a strategic and well-informed decision-maker yourself?

Wait! Isn’t the above statement contradictory? How can one be well-informed without listening to those (YouTubers, TikTokers, etc.) telling us what to do?

Being well-informed isn’t about following those who cherry-pick facts or present only one side of the story. It’s about being more judicious—exploring data from a variety of reasonably reliable sources. It’s about understanding perspectives from both sides.

In the end, you are the only decision-maker, and that decision-making process can be guided by a structured methodology. For instance, how about:

• Adopting a data-driven approach
• Thinking critically
• Adopting big-picture thinking or a holistic approach

Adopting a Data-Driven Approach

What is the employment rate among STEM and non-STEM graduates?
What is the average salary for STEM and non-STEM graduates?
What is the employment projection per occupation?
What are the sectors that absorb the most STEM or non-STEM graduates?

Etc., etc.
What’s the growth rate of a given sector? Understanding the growth rate is crucial for businesses and investors alike, as it provides insight into the sector’s performance and potential opportunities for expansion. By analyzing historical data alongside current market trends, one can gauge not only the past trajectories but also make informed predictions about future developments. Moreover, various factors such as economic indicators, consumer demand, and technological advancements play a significant role in influencing these rates, making it essential to keep abreast of shifts in the landscape that may impact growth.

E.g., according to the UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), the creative sector is one of the fastest-growing sectors in the global economy, employing more than 10% of the workforce in some countries. In the UK, around 25% of those from the humanities find a job in the creative sector.

An array of international institutions (mostly public, but also some for-profit ones), such as the International Labour Organization (ILO), the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), and various governments, produce such information.

Being a Critical Thinker

Yet, it is better to consider the data in broad strokes, as discrepancies are not uncommon. That is why I mention “decently reliable” sources rather than “100% reliable” ones.

Different research studies or surveys on the same topic can produce slightly or even significantly different results depending on the exact definitions they use and the variables they consider. For instance, when determining average salaries in STEM fields, some focus on amount of educational in STEM subjects, while others focus on occupations classified as STEM jobs.

In any case, according to most international comparisons, the average wage of a STEM professional is higher than that of a non-STEM professional. How much higher? It varies by country. For those with a bachelor’s degree, the average of eleven OECD countries is less than 10%—around 7% in Japan. The USA appears to be an outlier, with a STEM wage premium exceeding 30%.

Also, keep in mind that the mean can be misleading. On average, STEM professionals earn more, but there are business professionals, social science graduates, and high-paying professionals such as lawyers and dentists whose earnings can match or even surpass those of the highest-paid STEM professionals.

On the other hand, some argue that a humanities education provides longevity, meaning that while it may not immediately land you a job—as vocational education might—it better prepares individuals for long-term careers. According to George Anders, starting salaries for liberal arts graduates are not always as high, but within 5 to 10 years, many in this sector earn competitive salaries, with those pursuing master’s degrees earning even more.

Nonetheless, it is understandable that during periods of post-university/college high student debt, people tend to prioritize immediate return on investment when choosing a field of study.

Adopting a Big-Picture Thinking or Holistic Approach

STEM or non-STEM, you can aim for one of the highest-paying jobs and choose a major that is most likely to get you there. You might grow to like it, eventually become passionate about it, and build a successful career. However, it’s important to recognize that this approach—pursuing only the most economically rewarding and safe path—doesn’t work for everyone.

If you have a deep interest in a field and choose a career aligned with it, you are more likely to be engaged at work. According to some studies, individuals working in areas related to their deep interest and field of study report higher job satisfaction. It can be either the humanities, social sciences, business, or the STEMs,

It is truly astonishing how low the percentage of engaged employees is worldwide. Gallup has been highlighting this issue for over two decades.

Many people still choose careers based on parental influence. Sometimes because someone in the family had a similar profession. Sometimes under pressure [often times your parents want you to play it safe], later to regret. I’ve seen plenty of such cases in the recruitment world.

On the other hand, because of some global trends, according to Pearson—The Future of Skills: Employment in 2030—fields like anthropology, sociology, and psychology are far from dying out but are gaining in importance, provided that one acquires the skills of the 21st century.

Are our options narrowing because of Generative AI? You can draw your own conclusions with strategic thinking and a clear head. I believe that we are witnessing a mix of AI-driven exaggeration and cyclical economic shifts—not the first in history. We will continue to see both unemployed individuals and unfilled jobs.

The winners will be those who understand these changes and adapt. In fact, the real winners won’t be those who see STEM and non-STEM fields as perpetually at odds, but rather those who understand how they complement each other. That means honing key skills and expertise—regardless of major or field of origin.

Finally, deciding on a major is an important step in one’s life, but it is not supposed to be the last one.
You will always have the chance to correct it if needed. AI is making some skills (e.g., those related to executing routine tasks) obsolete, and this can happen in either field (STEM or non-STEM).
Some defenders of the humanities argue that key skills, such as critical thinking and communication, can be acquired almost only through a humanities major. However, I believe neither major family has exclusive ownership of these skills.