If you're about to graduate this year, here's what you should know
From David M. Perry
With top grades in your major, you're probably not just honing specific skills (in your chosen field) to help you snag a job. You're also developing new ways of thinking and learning that will enable you to engage with the world, adapt to the unexpected, and impact it in meaningful ways – even if you can't foresee what's coming next. The last year has taught us that predictions often fall short, but we can prepare ourselves as best as we can.
Throughout the pandemic, I've noticed that many of our challenges don't stem from lacking scientific expertise or resources (at least not in this country), but rather from a lack of understanding related to how different disciplines intersect and depend on each other. And moreover, an inability to comprehend how individuals and groups function.
Never have we learned so much, so quickly, about a global pandemic. In January 2020, the Covid-19 genome was published. Due to years of research on mRNA vaccines, the Moderna vaccine – assembled in record time over a weekend – was ready by spring. We know quite a bit about viruses, germ theory, infection science, and how to carry out quarantines effectively, but we've failed on several fronts: communication, ethics, and trust.
That science is there, but the humanities are missing in action. Your school has likely encouraged you to develop a broader skillset, including strong scientific knowledge, quantitative thinking, and expertise in history, sociology, philosophy, rhetoric, composing, and communicating. There's a growing need for polymaths who can navigate disciplines, understand complex problems, and make educated decisions, including in different languages or through artistic expression.
Even as we move past the pandemic, old inequalities persist and new challenges arise. After the CDC revised its mask guidelines in May, it became clear that the problem of masks in public spaces would be just one manifestation of a broader, more divided nation.
Nearly a year into the pandemic, what we still lack is an understanding of trauma and how it affects entire communities (psychology). Many people are reluctant to discard their masks outside due to the emotional weight the past year has carried.
New graduates should be aware of this, as it continues to impact how we learn, operate, and make decisions as individuals and as a society.
Enrichment Insights
Social Cognition and Preschoolers
The pandemic has had a profound impact on preschoolers' social skills, particularly those from low-income families. Studies show that during lockdowns and social distancing measures, children demonstrated a significant drop in social cognition skills, such as false-belief understanding, which is critical for developing communication skills, empathy, and learning [1].
Digital Humanities in Education
The integration of digital humanities (DH) in education has accelerated due to the pandemic, with advanced digital technologies used to enhance teaching and learning experiences. Digital platforms provide innovative tools for language educators and learners, fostering the development of language skills through interactive digital environments [2].
Federal Education Policies
The pandemic has also influenced federal education policies, with proposed budget cuts affecting higher education. The H.R. 2 proposal calls for reducing $330 billion in funding over the next 10 years, affecting student loan forgiveness, repayment plans, and potentially increasing endowment taxes or requiring colleges to contribute to repaying student loans [3].
But there is also a growing commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion in education. The Committee on Publication Ethics has reaffirmed its commitment to achieving these goals, stating that editorial decisions should not be swayed by external governmental policies unless compliance with applicable laws is required [3].
[1] Scott, R. (2021). Lockdown-Learning Does Damage to Privacy and Social Skills in Young Children. ResearchGate.
[2] D'Angelo, M. T., & Butler, K. A. (2021). The Impact of COVID-19 on College Students: A Review of the Current Literature.
[3] Blumberg, M. (2021). How Federal Budgets and Policies Affect Higher Education During the Pandemic. The Conversation.
A recent study finds that lockdowns and social distancing measures during the pandemic have had a devastating impact on preschoolers' social cognition skills. Research by Professor Rose Scott at UC Merced found that, as a result, children from lower socioeconomic backgrounds have suffered a significant drop in their understanding of false beliefs and social cooperation, crucial skills for communication and learning.
Meanwhile, the use of digital tools in education has accelerated, with advanced digital technologies leveraged to improve teaching and learning experiences through interactive digital environments. DH platforms offer innovative language learning resources, practitioners, and researchers have emphasized the importance of digital literacy and artificially intelligent educational practices, and international collaborations are critical to ensuring global inclusivity in DH education.
Federal education policies have also been impacted. The U.S. House of Representatives proposed budget cuts, which could impact student loan forgiveness, increase endowment taxes, and require colleges to contribute to repaying student loans. Amidst these changes, there's a growing understanding of the importance of diversity, equity, and inclusion in higher education, with the Committee on Publication Ethics reaffirming its commitment to these values.
