An Australian academic says businesses still prize humanities graduates when looking for new employees, even when their studies have nothing to do with the job.

There is a distinct anti-humanities movement going on in some circles, with the the Institute of Public Affairs going so far as to suggest that taxpayers should no longer fund arts degrees at all.

But even though arts degrees – including anything from philosophy to Greek poetry – have little to do with modern business, Sydney University’s Associate Professor Richard Miles says arts graduates are often sought-after.

Associate Professor Miles says he sees humanities graduates getting jobs, because “employers coveted their analytical, critical thinking, problem-solving and communication skills”.

Writing for the Australian Financial Review, he said even a degree in Ancient Literature can give somebody an edge in the modern world.

“Surprisingly, it is technology that has strengthened the case for employing arts graduates,” Miles writes.

“Technological innovation is now so fast-moving that it is difficult to predict the skills executives will require in five, let alone 10 years. This creates problems for vocational degrees in keeping up with these ever-changing requirements.

“Yet, the ability to synthesise large quantities of diffuse data into a clear, economical and effective argument - a key feature of an arts degree - will never go out of fashion.

“The world needs business leaders who can manage complexity, think creatively and leverage the insights of others - skills honed far more explicitly in the liberal arts than in business.”

Associate Professor Miles pointed to a number of local examples.

“Take for example Westpac, where Brian Hartzer, a history graduate has recently replaced Gail Kelly, who studied classics, as CEO,” Miles wrote.

“It is the all-important 'soft skills' that are essential for effective senior leadership - particularly those around effective communication and empathy. These are core attributes of an arts degree.”

The full article is accessible here.