'43 Interested in Employment More Than Liberal Arts

Interest in the so-called "Liberal Arts" education at Harvard is on the wane, according to trends shown by Freshmen in their choice of a field of concentration.

A study of the reasons given by Freshmen for their choice reveals that a constantly increasing proportion of the students are primarily interested in fitting themselves for employment, not merely gaining a broad cultural education.

Science Fields Grow

This is particularly true in the case of the sciences, which are rapidly becoming the most popular fields of concentration. "Jobs are scarce nowadays," explained George S. Forbes '02, professor of Chemistry, "and with the increased importance of science in industry, the students feel that scientific training has definite vocational possibilities."

Almost all Freshmen desiring to concentrate in Government and Economics, two other increasingly popular fields, also have definite vocational aims in mind, according to representatives of these departments who interviewed the applicants for concentration.

"The students realize," stated Charles B. Marshall, instructor in Government, "that increased governmental interference in business and economics is creating increased demand for experts in these fields. It is the ability to fill these new opportunities that college men want today."