Schools Program

The role AND RELEVANCE of the Humanities in the 21st Century

Understanding the great stories of human life — whether through literature, history, drama, film studies or mythology — connects us with a deeper source of inspiration. It opens us to other ways of seeing, being in and influencing our world.

The humanities have been an integral and life-enriching part of education since the ancient Greeks. Yet today, many students who display an interest in and aptitude for history, literature, philosophy (and other subjects that traditionally fall under the humanities umbrella) are sadly discouraged from further study in those areas because of concerns about employability and career paths.

Yet, did you know that many interesting, successful and notable people from various walks of life, including CEOs at two-thirds of ASX-listed companies, have a background in the humanities?

A humanities education is well-rounded, producing job-ready graduates with transferable soft skills which are critical in our changing economy.

Humanities 21 can help to inspire students at your school to enjoy humanities study as a sound foundation for a successful career and a key contributor for a meaningful life.

See below for our free resource packs and information about services.

The Future of Work:

• On average Australians stay in a job for 3 years, 4 months before transitioning.

• Occupations are changing quickly, current demand exists in roles which did not exist a decade ago.

• Twenty-first century graduates need transferable and flexible skills to suit ever shifting employment conditions and opportunities.

The Skills that Increasingly Matter:

• Collaboration

• Communication

• Critical Thinking

• Creativity

• Flexibility

  These ‘soft skills’ which humanities studies develop translate into lifelong career assets transferable to a multitude of work environments and careers. Not to mention humanities studies develop very interesting people!

download our Free resource packs for students, parents and teachers

Humanities 21 is delighted to offer resource packs containing information on the value of the humanities, including examples of many notable people with successful careers who have studied the humanities. These packs have been designed to assist students, parents, teachers and career counsellors in supporting young people to choose a suitable career path today.

Click on the link below to download these information packs. If you choose to add your name and email address your details will be added to the Humanities 21 newsletter list, to which you may unsubscribe at any time if you wish. We always respect your privacy.

Humanities 21 offers in-class and online information sessions about these materials, as well as developing educational workshops which support the English curriculum.

Contact us at info@humanities21.com.au to discuss how Humanities 21 can help to inspire students at your school to enjoy humanities study as a sound foundation for a successful career and a key contributor for a meaningful life.

The Careers in Humanities Collection

These resources were created by project partners from the History Teachers’ Association of Victoria, the Geography Teachers’ Association of Victoria, Social Education Victoria, the Victorian Association for Philosophy in Schools, the History Council of Victoria, Humanities 21, and the Professional Historians Association (Victoria & Tasmania).

This free-to-download collection is designed to help students and parents understand how studying Humanities subjects can lead to strong employment prospects, in-demand skills, personal growth and community wellbeing.

It is hoped that these resources will be used to inspire young people to continue studying the Humanities, or to foster their passion for these wonderful subjects. The flyers can be distributed at subject-selection events and careers fairs, posted up in Humanities classrooms and staff rooms, or shared with school and university careers counsellors.

The project partners would like to acknowledge the support of the Victorian Government and the Department of Education and Training.

Why Choose the Humanities? Prezi Poster

Choose the Humanities information flyers (click to download for printing double-sided in A4 or A3)