Silver City, NM- It’s predicted that in the future, machines will replace mankind in the workforce. It sounds like the plot of a science fiction movie, but according to the Oxford Journal “The Future of Employment: How Susceptible are Jobs to Computerization?” 47% of jobs will become automated within the next ten years.
This articles information was cited by Provost Jack Crocker who has come up with a concept that will guide Western New Mexico University students into the future and give them the proper job skills and preparation needed for the working world. This concept, which is one of several new ideas that will make WNMU distinct from other universities, is called the Applied Liberal Arts and Sciences (ALAS.)
Crocker stated that one advantage a human being in the workforce will always have over an automated machine is their thinking ability. The goal of ALAS is to enhance and strengthen WNMU students thinking abilities. This is separate from the traditional liberal arts in that it won’t take an “ivory tower approach” and only discuss theory. This program will put liberal arts studies into practical use. Students won’t merely know History, Literature and Philosophy, but they will be able to put them to use in the working world.
When a company interviews a prospective employee, there are typically five things that a recruiter or employers look for.
- Communication Skills- as in knowing how and when to speak and listen to others.
- Critical Thinking. Employers love people who can solve problems.
- Adaptability- The job market, like the rest of the world, is constantly growing and changing as we move into the future. Employers like workers that can grow and change with it. This means students need to know how to learn new skills and ideas.
- Interpersonal Skills- Employers need people who can work well with others. This means practicing teamwork is a necessity.
- Last but not least, employers need people who can apply their knowledge to real world situations. For example, being well-versed in American history can get you an A in your class, but someone who’s knowledgeable about government can be invaluable in a political office.
While ALAS is still very much in its infancy, one of its primary goals is to give WNMU students the resources they need in order to learn these skills and be prepared for the working world.
This could include adding more courses that would enrich or enhance degrees that are already included in the WNMU catalogue, but Crocker also suggested a set of core courses that would be based around problem solving. One of the hopes for these courses would also be to give students knowledge in connective thinking, which means seeing how different things relate to each other. This would be another tool for solving problems. Lastly, Crocker suggested internships that would give WNMU students valuable, hands-on work experience in a professional environment.
Ultimately, it is hoped that the Applied Liberal Arts and Sciences would not only help the University continue to grow and expand, but it can also provide students with a valuable experience that they wouldn’t find elsewhere and would help make Western New Mexico University a distinct place for education.
