Unless you are a rare breed who has known since elementary school that she wants to be a doctor, lawyer, or president, you are likely in the majority of people who entered college “fundecided”.
Recently, I declared Sociology as my major. Sociology studies human behavior and society as well as analyzing the institutions that facilitate these behaviors. Although this major fascinates me, there are few career paths resulting from this major. Frankly, I have no idea what I want to do with my life once I finish college, but I am really excited for my major.
Upon telling my parents, they congratulated me but mentioned it would be wise to double up and attempt to achieve a business degree, or explore environmental studies and later attempt to obtain a law degree.
Although their advice is expressed with my best interest at heart, I realized there is stigma opposed to established “impractical” majors. Art, Psychology, English, and Cinemas Studies are just a few majors that are viewed as unrealistic, too competitive, or impractical to enter a quality position. There are plenty of other majors, that fall under the liberal arts category in particular that meet a similar title. This reflex reaction is following the belief that a person with one of these majors will be financially unstable, struggle in their career, or end up in a dead-end desk job.
Yes, in some instances, that is the case, but I am true believer with luck and grit you can achieve whatever you desire.
Our culture has the tendency to criticize while simultaneously worship said thinkers and creators. The world needs analytics, commentators, and original producers of work. If everyone gave up on their passions, there would be no latest block busters, works of poetry, or in my case, a dedicated study of analyzing the world we live in.
If I learned anything from my friend’s post graduation experiences, even with a considered “practical” major, you are not guaranteed employment.
If you are going to spend thousands of dollars on you education, slave over essays, reading, and countless hours of work, you might as well fully invest in something to love. Do not waste credits on something you could care less about. In this world, people of passion and dedication will find happiness intrinsically, and hopefully extrinsically as well. College is about discovering not only yourself, but something you are passionate toward. Whether it is considered “practical” or not, just do what you love.