Today I was talking with a friend about social sciences. Even though social science majors aren’t particularly in demand right now and can be tough to find work in, don’t ever make the mistake of thinking they’re useless.
If you want to make sound financial decisions, you need some understanding of political science and economics — to grasp how national policies affect your personal life, and how economic conditions evolve.
If you want to start a business, you need to understand the market, which means knowing a bit of sociology — social behavior, social structures, social relationships, and the trends driving social change.
In your everyday dealings with people, you need basic emotional intelligence. That means knowing some psychology — understanding people’s mental states, behaviors, cognition, emotions, personality, social dynamics, and more.
If you want to move into management, you need a working knowledge of economics — the ability to analyze production, distribution, and consumption, and to understand how resources get optimally allocated.
If you want to understand the lifestyle habits and customs of a particular region, you need some basic geography — the relationship between people and their physical environment, and how terrain, climate, resources, and population distribution shape daily life and local culture.
If you want to excel at marketing and sales — with real persuasion, negotiation, and communication skills — you need to grasp the fundamentals of communication studies and the craft of language.
Critical thinking itself is a skill honed through the study of social sciences. STEM fields rarely develop it to the same degree.
Social sciences offer more than just concrete knowledge and skills — they improve your quality of life and career trajectory at a much broader level. Even if you never formally study social sciences, you should understand their importance. Make it a habit to work some social science reading into your daily routine.