Analysis the ability to examine a situation or problem from many angles; compare and contrast

events, facts, ideas, opinions; assemble elements of research and develop an answer or argument
from them; assemble facts meaningfully, using logic and reasoning.
Communication the ability to organize ideas, facts, information into a logical flow; create clear,
efficient messages and documents; write things that are readable, not dense and clunky (as so much
of business writing is today!); aim the information at the audience.
Cultural literacy and foreign language proficiency the ability to understand the ways in which
cultures are different and how thats reflected in levels of formality, expected behavior between
generations and genders, the pace of activity, and many other ways that affect how business is
conducted.
Emotional intelligence the ability to understand human motivation, how individuals and groups
behave, to be emotionally aware of oneself, and to use emotions in decision-making.
Leadership a broad area, but briefly the ability to visualize what needs to be done and can
describe it to others; the willingness to sign up to do whats needed, demonstrate initiative, say, Ill
do that!and then they do it, with integrity and intention.
Managing qualitative information identifying, categorizing, tracking, and retrieving things like
documents, diagrams, and maintaining the associations between them.
Planning and organizing the ability to envision and manage a unit of work in the future, to anticipate
events, including risks and contingencies, to recognize interdependencies, track progress, and to
estimate timeframes.
Research to examine new business ideas, assess the competition, develop plans, understand laws
and regulations, study customers (marketing research), investigate causes of problems, keep abreast
of technologyand more.
Systemic thinking the ability to see situations or problems as a collection of interconnected,
interdependent parts, and be able to recognize or anticipate what will happen when one part
changes, its effect on the rest.
Each and every one of these skills contributes to business goals, either by improving revenue or
reducing expense. Those are, of course, the two things that matter to business: making money and
saving money.

Student experience
Through a liberal arts education, you acquire skills that will enable you to thrive in a rapidly
changing world, including the ability to:
Critically analyze and synthesize information and ideas;
Construct arguments drawing on several sources;
Persuade, both orally and in writing;
Understand relationships among different disciplines, ideas or historical trends;
Be comfortable with diversity and understand how cultural and ethnic backgrounds shape
perspectives;
Think creatively and independently, and
Exercise self-discipline and meet and exceed high expectations
Many of these abilities focus on how best to use information gathering it, sifting through it,
evaluating it, organizing it and sharing it effectively. These skills have never been more
relevant.

Liberal Arts Education Benefits

Prepares students to work in a variety of jobs. This is different from other types of education where
students develop professional or vocational skills for a specific job.
Degree is appealing to employers. Employers like liberal arts graduates because they have the skills
necessary to adapt in a changing workplace. Employers desire transferable skills (skills employees
take with them to any job) typical of a liberal arts education. These include written and verbal
communication skills and the ability to solve complex problems and work well with others.
Provides an excellent foundation for graduate study in health care, law, business, or other
fields. Graduate schools look for candidates who will succeed in graduate-level study. Students with a
liberal arts background are appealing, because they demonstrate an ability to learn across a diverse
field of studies.
Creates graduates who are equipped with the skills to become valuable community members. The
value of a liberal arts education goes far beyond its economic value. Graduates understand problems,
generate solutions, and communicate those solutions to others. In many ways, a liberal arts
education is education for life. It prepares graduates who can adapt and thrive in an ever-changing
world.