There are numerous benefits of working through general education curriculum, including the ability to explore a diverse range of subjects and the opportunity to build a well-rounded academic foundation. You might also enjoy opportunities for personal growth, such as through exposure to diverse viewpoints that are different from those you are accustomed to.
What exactly is an academic foundation? It can be thought of as the essential knowledge and skills that a student or professional needs in order to pursue a higher level of learning or professional accomplishments. An academic foundation can be comprised of soft skills, or knowledge and skills that are transferable across fields.
Some of the soft skills you will have opportunities to develop with a general education curriculum may include:
- Communication skills
- Critical thinking and analytical reasoning
- Global awareness and cultural competence
Even if a gen ed curriculum isn’t designed to teach the following soft skills specifically, you may also have opportunities to work on these:
- Adaptability
- Creativity
- Decision-making and problem-solving
- Teamwork and collaboration
- Leadership
- Interpersonal skills and emotional intelligence
No matter what your major or where your future career takes you, it’s likely that you’ll find these soft skills to be of use in your professional and personal lives.
Even if you already know the career you intend to pursue, it can be helpful to have opportunities to develop a broader understanding of the world around you. When you explore a diverse range of subjects through the general education requirements, you may be prompted to reflect on perspectives and worldviews that are different from your own. This can lead to opportunities for personal growth or skill development that are applicable to your personal life.
General education requirements are designed to provide a well-rounded learning experience for students. Even if you plan to become an engineer, you may benefit from examining other subject areas, such as language, information literacy, history and psychology. Students who are equipped with a well-rounded knowledge base can bring diverse viewpoints to their primary subject area.
The knowledge gained in general education classes can help students choose the academic major that best aligns with their personal and career interests.
The gen ed courses may introduce you to subject areas you weren’t previously familiar with, and you may find yourself becoming interested in pursuing a career relevant to those fields. Conversely, even if you entered college knowing your intended direction, the gen ed classes might convince you to change your mind as new interests develop.
