The misconceptions people have about majors that are far from the truthWhen the ignorance of others towards your major starts to wear on you. 

Obnoxious stereotypes have marred many college major reputations. Every time I tell someone that I’m a professional writing major, I cringe internally. Out loud, they may say, “Wow, that sounds so cool, I could never do something like that!” However, I know they are most likely thinking, “Poor girl, she’s basically majoring in being a starving artist.”

Because of my major, I empathize with people whose majors are wrongfully stereotyped. A majority of the time, none of these stereotypes are even close to the truth, but they still manage to stick around and sting when they’re directed at you. So, here’s a list of majors that people are probably judging you for, along with rebuttals for the people who make these judgments.

Education (especially if you’re a woman). “She’s got it easy. Her coursework consists of learning how to be a mom.”

WRONG. This major prepares them to take care of your brats and make sure they get college degrees while you neglect your children to climb your career ladder.

Visual communications. “They had to pick that major because they’re too bad at school to do anything else.”

WRONG. You think it’s hard to do your homework? Think about having to do piles of homework and make it look like a unique work of art.

Engineering. “I wonder if they’ve ever had something resembling a social life.”

WRONG. Engineers don’t fit the nerdy stereotype that you stick them with. Plus, they’ll probably be making double your salary, so the lack of time for a social life eventually pays off.

Journalism. “They’re hopping onto a sinking ship that will leave them writing celebrity gossip for the rest of their lives.”

WRONG. They’re probably the only ones informed enough about the news to make rational voting choices. Plus, their writing can reach thousands, if not millions, of people. Can you say the same?

Psychology. “Hah, good luck getting a job that doesn’t involve getting stuck as a school therapist with the education majors.”

WRONG. Psychology majors have been tasked with the difficult goal of holding your mental well-being together when you’re crumbling under the pressure of your 9 to 5 job. If they’re not around, who else will pick up the pieces of your soul after you’re emotionally destroyed by corporate monotony?

Meteorology. “Great, another person wasting their life to forecast the weather incorrectly. We could use some more of those.”

WRONG. Oklahoma is home to the best and brightest meteorologists who are surprisingly accurate considering they’re trying to make sense of something that’s as bi-polar as Miley Cyrus.

Business (especially if you’re a woman). “She’s majoring in that so she’ll be surrounded by frat stars who will have stable jobs. She’s just getting her MRS degree.”

WRONG. Business majors have some of the most challenging coursework on campus and those women who “just want their MRS degree” will be your bosses one day.