I have recently read the article, Let’s Get Serious About Cultivating Creativity, by Steven J. Tepper and George D. Kuh, The Chronicle of Higher Education, September 4, 2011. Here are my thoughts upon reading...
This article made me think of my sister and I. We both went to college at the same time, I was a Fine Arts major, concentration in Theatre Arts, and my sister was a Business major, concentration in Finance. After my sister’s freshman year of college, she switched concentrations, from Finance to Marketing. When I asked her why she switched, she said, “Marketing is more fun, I get to be more creative.” However, I wonder how much time she spent in her classes focusing on enhancing her creativity skills. I don’t recall her ever taking a class in the arts. In entering the job market, did her studies give her all the skills needed in the field of marketing? This article opened my eyes to the lack of the presence of Arts course in Universities for Business, Science, and Math majors. Many Arts majors admit that their arts training has enhanced their creativity, a necessary skill for a number of occupations.
However, on the flip side, I am not business savvy. I have no education or skills in being the C.E.O. of my own company, if I wanted to start one. My time spent in college was revolved solely around Performing Arts, and not the least bit focused on gaining industry/professional skills. Statistics show that majority of Artists in our country did not get the career development needed for their post-graduate life. In fact, 50 percent of professional artists eventually retire early on for a more financially stable career. With this in mind, shouldn't Universities prepare their Arts students with other skills, that can benefit them in other professions outside of the arts?
In all of this, it seems as if no matter what you study in college, there are going to be shortcomings. Expect to focus on your major and not get the extra skill building needed for your career. It is somewhat upsetting to think of this idea. How are we preparing ourselves as a country to succeed, grow, and accomplish more if we are not taking the best approach in educating ourselves fully? I imagine that Arts programs in universities, would welcome the idea of adding business courses to their requirements; to better prepare artists to become business savvy in their art. However, I’m not sure if universities would welcome the idea of adding art courses to business, math, and science programs. I am sure some exceptions would be made to add arts to marketing, advertising, and broadcasting programs. But the arts are important for our math and science majors as they are the future innovators of our time, the skill of creativity is essential and needed.
This article really opened my eyes to the higher education of this country. I am always discussing education for our youth, and what improvements need to be made for grades K-12 in America, but I never thought of the absence of Arts in the classroom beyond 12th grade. College is supposed to shape us for our careers; it is imperative to receive as much training to build all essential skills for a successful future.