The Transfer Center and PATH, or Preparing Accomplished Transfers to the Humanities, have partnered together on a mission to make students interested in studying the arts and humanities. 

According to San Diego City College’s website, PATH is a pipeline program with UCSD that encourages students to study arts and humanities. They assist students with weekly meetings, transfer guidance, outreach activities, workshops and more.

PATH’s faculty coordinator and English professor, Kelly Mayhew, believes that studying art, literature, culture and society is what gives individuals their humanity on this planet. She also highlighted misconceptions about salary in the field.

“While STEM majors may make more money right after they graduate from college, down the road humanities majors catch up, and often surpass them,” Mayhew said. 

On Nov. 8, PATH hosted a Careers in the arts and humanities panel for students at San Diego City College. The event introduced students to industry professionals who offered their advice and experiences. It is just one of the many opportunities PATH has for students.

“We put this panel together … to show that (studying arts and humanities) is absolutely the best idea,” Mayhew said.

Arts and humanities program director at UCSD, Laura Martin, was also a part of the panel.

“When you’re studying literature and English, you’re studying tons of different things and you get to live a million different lives,” Martin said.

Ana Laura Martinez, an organizer with Students for Economic justice at the Center on Policy Initiatives, dealt with the pressure of majoring in STEM. She was a first-generation college student and her parents idolized the “American Dream.”

It wasn’t until taking a class in Chicano studies that she realized her passion for studying systems of oppression. “It was one of those moments where it kind of clicked,” Martinez said. “Hopefully students see themselves in my story.”

Candice Lopez offered handouts with over 115 arts and humanities careers in this field, JahB Prescott talked about his educational experience, and many more professionals in the field talked about their love of the arts and humanities and how they found their careers.

“If you have a love and desire for books, culture, humanities, arts, or filming, you have to hold strong to that,” Philosophy professor Alejandro Orozco, said. “You’re in a capitalistic system which is fighting against that … hold onto that and follow your instincts.”

According to the sdccd.edu, PATH guides transfer students from City, Mesa and Miramar colleges into arts and humanities majors at UCSD. 

For more information regarding PATH, visit sdccd.edu. 

Students interested in PATH application information can email Kelly Mayhew at [email protected].