The Rise of AI and Why Liberal Arts Degrees Are More Valuable for Student-Athletes Than Ever
As a student-athlete balancing academics, sports, and your future career, you’re probably focused on practical skills that will lead to career success. You may have thought that degrees like business or STEM would be your best bet to secure a good job post-graduation. But with the rise of artificial intelligence (AI), something unexpected is happening—the value of a liberal arts degree is starting to rise, and here’s why it matters for you.
The Shift in Career Focus
For years, students—especially those in competitive programs like yours—have been gravitating towards degrees that are seen as directly linked to job security. Degrees in business, engineering, or computer science were considered “safe bets,” offering well-defined career paths in a tech-driven job market. However, with AI increasingly taking over routine tasks like data analysis, programming, and even basic decision-making, the job market is beginning to shift. What used to be “safe” degrees are now being questioned, and liberal arts degrees, which focus on creativity, empathy, and critical thinking, are making a comeback.
Why Liberal Arts Are Making a Comeback
You might wonder why this matters to a student-athlete like you. Well, as AI takes over more of the technical work, the demand for skills that AI can’t replicate—like empathy, creative problem-solving, and deep critical thinking—has skyrocketed. And these are the very skills that liberal arts degrees emphasize.
Take Bill Winters, CEO of Standard Chartered, as an example. He has an MBA but values his undergraduate degree in international relations over his business education. Winters explains that AI can handle the technical skills, but what’s still needed in the business world is human empathy and the ability to understand the people you’re working with—skills honed through liberal arts education. As an athlete, you already know the importance of teamwork, adaptability, and understanding others, and these qualities are becoming more essential in today’s AI-powered job market.
Balancing the Demands of Sports and Career Preparation
As a student-athlete, you are already learning how to perform under pressure, adapt to new situations, and work within a team—all qualities that employers look for. These same skills are precisely what a liberal arts education nurtures. In a world where AI is changing the job landscape, those with strong communication, creativity, and critical thinking skills will be at the forefront.
Liberal arts majors teach you how to approach problems from different angles, build relationships, and think creatively. These skills can make you stand out in any field—whether you’re entering sports management, business, or any other industry after graduation. They complement the discipline and leadership you’re developing as an athlete, giving you a unique advantage in the workforce.
The Value of Soft Skills
While AI continues to grow, employers are increasingly focused on soft skills that can’t be automated. According to experts like Lindsey McInerney, these soft skills are becoming some of the most valuable in the job market. For student-athletes, this means that your ability to work well with others, think critically, and handle complex situations will make you incredibly valuable, regardless of the industry you enter.
Take the example of Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, who believes that skills like making connections and learning quickly will be the most in-demand in an AI-driven future. These are all areas where student-athletes already excel. Your experiences as an athlete—balancing academic, athletic, and personal demands while collaborating with a team—give you a unique edge that AI cannot replicate.
Preparing for the Future of Work
As you look ahead to life after sports, remember that the world is shifting toward a future where human-centered skills—such as empathy, creativity, and teamwork—will be more valuable than ever. The rise of AI doesn’t diminish the value of your education or experiences; it enhances them by placing greater importance on the skills you develop as a student-athlete.
In the end, whether you’re pursuing a career in sports, business, or beyond, a liberal arts education paired with your athletic experience will provide you with the tools needed to thrive in an AI-powered world. As AI takes over technical tasks, the value of human connections and creative thinking will only continue to grow—making your combination of skills more essential and in demand.