I completely agree with the statement, 'it is better to have broad knowledge from a variety of academic subjects than to have specific knowledge from one subject'. I believe that having a broad knowledge from a variety of academic subjects enables a person to socialise with different groups of people involved in different professions. While, On the other hand, another man someone with a specific knowledge from one subject, will have a much smaller social field.
Having a broad knowledge that extends over several subjects provides opportunities for a person to socialise with different kinds of people, because it is more likely for two people to get on well if they have something in common. For example, my father has a lot of friends in various fields because he is knowledgeable in many subjects. Although his profession is medicine, he has also knows a lot about sports and technology. Recently, a friend of his, who works at a sport- sponsering company, helped us to get free tickets at a baseball match for my brothers. If my father did not have such knowledge on sports, the chances are would have been very low, for him to make such friend. Also, we also have a family friend, who visits us every now and thenagain, whenever there is a broken electronics in our house. My father got to know him, at a random restaurant. They wouldn't have become such good friends if my father did not have any idea what he was working for and what he was interested in. My father always say says that it is important to build up knowledge on various subjects, because from that knowledge we make friends who are invaluable.
From the case of my father, I conclude that having broad knowledge from a variety of academic subjects is more useful in our life as it broadens up our social community. Also, I think this is why the current school system is designed in a way so that students build up a broad knowledge even after deciding on their majors.