Dear Direct Response Letter Subscriber:

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In a recent email, Marsha Enright, president of Reliance College, suggests that in today's job market…

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… a liberal arts education may be a better investment education than majoring in STEM (science, technology, engineering, math).

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She says:

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"Artificial intelligence is reshaping the job market at breakneck speed. Roles once considered safe are vanishing, while entirely new ones appear overnight."

"Two crises now define this new reality: The collapse of entry-level jobs [and] a lack of adaptability when roles evolve or disappear.

"Oxford Economics and Bloomberg both warn that millions of white-collar positions—especially those once held by recent graduates—are being automated away.
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"At the same time, professionals trained narrowly in one specialty are struggling to pivot when their industries shift.
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"In this world, technical expertise alone isn't enough. The people who thrive will be those who can think, communicate, and adapt—qualities that come from the liberal arts."

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She notes that Reliance's liberal arts curriculum enables students to graduate "not just with knowledge, but with the intellectual agility and courage to navigate constant change—the very abilities AI can't automate."

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Well, I've heard this argument before.

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My problem is: though it seems to have at least some sense to it, I just don't flat out believe it.

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If I were graduating high school and choosing a college major today—like I did in 1979—I'd still choose my B.S. in engineering over a B.A. in English.

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Although actually, today I would maybe be wiser to choose vocational school--and study HVAC, plumbing, auto mechanics...

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...or another trade that required working with your hands and not just on a computer—over college.

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AI is decimating or at least threatening so many jobs and professions today—including, arguably, writing, proofreading, translation, bookkeeping, and even psychotherapy.

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Well, AI can in fact write, code, or give advice--at some level.

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But I don't think it will ever be able to unclog a toilet, put a new roof on your house, or change your car's oil.

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Of course, I could be wrong even about that, though I can't quite picture how.

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I often am.

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Sincerely,

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