On the utility of liberal arts

A skulking suspicion has begun to sneak around after me. It flits between trees when I walk alone, sneaks up and breathes in my shadow, disappears whenever I abruptly turn to look it in the eyes. The beast affects me not through any direct contact, but through the murmurings it instills now and again when I let it. It mentions figures of money, segments of time, and all the while smiles goofily, with a leery, disconcerting grin.

My beast is the embodiment of a question, one that no doubt many a prospective collegiate BA bearer knows too well. It asks time and again, what exactly is the purpose of a liberal arts degree young man?

I would like to say that I swiftly slay it - lay it to rest with an unbreakable and ready answer. This would be dishonest. In fact, I haven't the slightest.

When it becomes hungry, I tell it "Well critical reasoning will be useful in fields related to business and law." It laughs quietly, and slurps back off into the shadows. When it stares unwaveringly, I stammer "An English degree provides vital insight into the underpinnings of our social system." It smiles and chortles off again. Sometimes, it pokes around the corners of my bedpost, pushes itself between the pages of some trivial book and myself, and I must try to brisk it away. I observe "I am learning here in a unique way that no other end could accomplish." This most of all amuses it, as it forces me to picture the myriad other options, all perhaps enriching, and most of all, free.

What this beast has led me to believe, is that one solitary reason keeps me in place and forms my foundation here at college. A title. You see, a degree does offer something that time spent otherwise could not. In our society, a college degree proclaims baseline competence, and begs higher wage.

As for the rest, I am presently of the opinion that, while interesting, and perhaps valuable by parts, there is little of it that is a necessary product of wholehearted daily devotion, and immense financial commitment.

Perhaps this is an essentialization of something far more valuable, but regardless of truth, the beast is alive and well for me, and for many others. How to put it in its place?