On Thursday, November 20, Myric Polhemus, VP of Talent and HR Technology at HEB and TXST alumnus, gave a presentation on “The Power of a Liberal Arts Degree” in Flowers Hall 230. The College of Liberal Arts sponsored the event.
Mr. Polhemus discussed the usefulness of his liberal arts degree using examples from his everyday work with HEB. Learning how to learn has been at the center of his growth as a person and a professional. He shared the important distinctions between domain-specific skills and transferable skills. He compared the skills that students in liberal arts develop through their classes with skills that workplaces need. Skills like close reading, persuasive writing, critical thinking, and clear communication acquired in your liberal arts major will set you up for success in the workplace.
One attendee said, “Myric was a brilliant and valuable speaker to listen to. Not only did he give us great information, but he also gave me hope and encouragement that I am pursing the right path with my COLA degree.”
Melissa Rendon, Student Development Specialist with the Political Science Department, said, “I found the lecture delivered by Myric Polhemus, Vice President for Talent Acquisition at H-E-B, to be highly insightful and practical. His presentation offered students and served as a reminder for faculty and staff, strategies for developing the skill of ‘learning how to learn.’ What stood out the most was his perspective on the transferability of Liberal Arts skills and how these competencies can be intentionally developed and applied in professional settings. His practical strategies for building these skills for future success were spot-on and highly relevant for both students and educators.”
