Why Liberal Arts Still Matter,

Especially for Careers That Don’t Exist Yet

The author with the longest-serving president in the history of Hobart and William Smith Colleges, Mark D. Gearan L.H.D.

His tradition of hosting open houses every Friday night isn’t just symbolic—it shapes a culture of belonging, mentorship, and human-scale leadership that defines the student experience.

One of the longest-serving presidents in the history of Hobart and William Smith Colleges, Mark D. Gearan, is known for a simple but quietly powerful tradition: every Friday night, he opens his home to students.

There’s no formal agenda. No speech. No fundraising pitch. Just conversation, presence, and accessibility. And live music.

I didn’t experience this tradition as a student—but as someone who studies the culture and leadership of small liberal arts colleges, it stands out as a telling example of how values are lived, not just stated.

Through the lens of my work in career counseling and student development, practices like this reveal how institutions shape people over time—not just résumés or outcomes.

The Question That Never Goes Away

Concerns about the value of a liberal arts education are not new. In a recent Boston Globe Magazine piece, college presidents across New England spoke candidly about the pressures facing small liberal arts institutions and the recurring question they’re asked: Is this practical? Does it lead somewhere concrete?

Hampshire College President Jennifer Chrisler captured what often gets missed in that framing. Students in a liberal arts environment are expected to define their work, negotiate expectations, manage deadlines, seek support when needed, adjust when things don’t go as planned, and ultimately be accountable for producing something meaningful.

From a career counseling perspective, that description reads less like abstract philosophy and more like a realistic preview of professional life.

What Career Readiness Really Looks Like

In my work with students and adults navigating education and career decisions, one pattern is clear: very few careers follow a straight line. Roles evolve. Industries shift. Job titles appear and disappear.

What carries people forward are durable skills—capacities that transfer across roles and contexts. These include critical thinking, communication, adaptability, problem-solving, and accountability.

Small liberal arts colleges don’t bolt these skills on at the end. They embed them into the structure of the experience itself—through discussion-based classes, independent projects, close faculty relationships, and an expectation that students take ownership of their learning.

Liberal Arts Education Beyond the First Job

Another theme raised by college leaders in the article is one I return to often with families: higher education has never been solely about preparing students for a first job.

At its best, education prepares people to engage thoughtfully with the world—to evaluate information, consider impact, and contribute beyond themselves. From a career standpoint, those same capacities are what allow individuals to grow, pivot, and lead over time.

The most successful professionals I work with are not simply those who learned a specific technical skill early on. They are people who know how to learn, how to ask good questions, and how to navigate complexity with confidence and humility.

The Power of Human-Scale Community

One of the most distinctive strengths of small liberal arts colleges is the way community is built intentionally and experienced daily.

Leadership is visible. Faculty are accessible. Traditions feel personal rather than performative. Students are known as individuals—not just by name, but by interest and trajectory.

At institutions like Hobart and William Smith Colleges, this shows up in simple but meaningful ways: a president who opens his home weekly, professors who attend student performances, and rituals that bring people together across class years and interests. These environments foster belonging early on—an often underestimated factor in student growth and persistence.

A Career Counselor’s Perspective

From where I sit now, the liberal arts model doesn’t feel outdated—it feels aligned with what the modern world actually requires.

In an era focused on speed and immediate payoff, small liberal arts colleges continue to prioritize something more durable: teaching people how to think, how to engage, and how to grow across a lifetime.

That foundation may not always be easy to quantify—but over the course of a career, it is often what matters most.

About the Author

Amy Trinnaman is the founder of Amy Trinnaman Educational Consulting, LLC, where she provides personalized guidance to students and families navigating the complexities of college and boarding school admissions. With over 20 years of experience in education, Amy is dedicated to demystifying the admissions process and alleviating stress for her clients. She focuses on crafting tailored strategies that help students discover their strengths, set achievable goals, and present authentic, compelling applications. Amy's commitment is to connect students with educational opportunities that align with their academic aspirations and personal growth.