LEWISTON – The University of Southern Maine’s Lewiston-Auburn College will host a session on “What Can You Do with an Arts and Humanities Degree?” at 7 p.m. Thursday April 16.

Faculty will be on hand to discuss the program in arts and humanities, as well as its requirements and transfer options. Joining them will be area employers and graduates from the program, who will discuss the benefits of the degree.

Employers speaking will include a newspaper editor, an attorney and a textbook publisher. Arts and humanities graduates speaking will include a social worker, a librarian, a PhD student in American studies and several teachers.

Humanities graduates are attractive to many employers because of the range of abilities they have gained during their college career. The abilities, sought after in most jobs, include effective reading and writing, critical thinking, historical knowledge and global awareness.

“Students tend to discount the value of an arts and humanities major to potential employers,” said USM LAC Professor Eve Raimon. “In fact, employers in many fields want their employees to have a solid background in subjects like history and literature, in which they learn to analyze and evaluate effectively what they read.”

The arts and humanities program at USM LAC offers a degree for students who want both a liberal arts education and preparation for a wide range of career options.

Online course offerings are also available, enhancing the availability of the degree program to those with busy schedules.

The event will take place on the USM LAC campus, 51 Westminster St., room 170. For more information, visit online at usm.maine.edu/lac or call 753-6500.