I have known that I wanted to be a writer since I was 13 years old. Anytime I get asked "What do you want to be when you grow up?" that is what I say. Apparently, a lot of people take issue with that and don't approve of what I am doing, for a variety of reasons. They think I have talents better put to use somewhere else, or they may just not respect being a writer as a legitimate profession. Whatever the case, I always manage to have a good laugh at why people are so bothered by what I want to do with my life. Although it's hard at times to know that people I care about aren't completely supportive, I have never once considered letting my dreams slip through my fingers. When you are meant to be doing something, you just know it. This article goes out to anyone who thought they knew better than me what I should be doing. Just to preface, all of the following things have actually been said to me or my friends by people. I will blank out the places where our majors went so that you can fill it in with yours for your personal enjoyment.
1. "You're majoring in _____? Are you excited to be unemployed?"
What? There aren't many jobs in the arts? Thank you for telling me, I had no idea! When I chose my major, I certainly didn't do any research about my field. I just closed my eyes and pointed to something on the list so I'm really glad I have you around to enlighten me. Seriously? I mean come on people, I didn't pick this major because I thought there was going to be a lot of job security, I picked it because it is something I'm passionate about. That means more to me than knowing I have a position lined up when I graduate.
2. "It's a good thing you're going to marry a doctor, you're not going to be making any money with that degree."
Just because there aren't a ton of jobs for people in my field, doesn't mean I have to be dependent on someone else to bring home the bacon. I am going to work hard and do some awesome things with my degree and be just as successful as anyone else. Again, I didn't pick this field because it makes the most money, I chose it because I love to do this. I would much rather struggle a little bit doing something that I'm really happy doing than be comfortable doing something that I hate.
3. "Oh, so you want to teach? That's the only thing you can do with a ______ degree anyway."
Maybe I want to teach, maybe I don't. It's not your place to limit my job opportunities just because of my major. I can do anything I want with my degree as long as I set my mind to it. Personally, I could never be a teacher. It's not in my cards, I just don't have the personality and the drive for it. I have the utmost respect for people that do teach, though, you guys are saints! Besides, what is the shame in being a teacher if that is what I wanted?
4. "Okay, but what's your backup plan? You can't seriously think _____ will support you."
No, I don't have a backup plan. Do you want to know why? Because I don't want to be doing anything else, that's why. If there was another career I was interested in, I would be majoring in that instead. I know that being a writer seems daunting to some people, and I might not be making the most money from it. That being said, there is nothing else I can picture myself doing for the rest of my life. If writing is what I love, that is what I am going to pursue. A backup plan would only tell me that failure was an option, and it isn't. Without a backup plan, I will be even more dedicated to my writing, and that will get me everywhere.
5. "Why are you even in college then? You don't need a degree to do ____. Anyone could do it."
You don't need a degree to do anything really, but it sure does help. I could cut somebodies hair, or open a business, or start researching a cure for cancer right now, but I probably wouldn't be very successful at any of those things without a degree. So no, maybe I don't technically need a degree to do what I want to do, but I would really like to do it well and do it right. If I'm going to be the best _____ that I can be, I'm gonna work hard and study for it.
Long story short, an art major is just as valid as any other major. While we might get teased a lot, we know that we are the ones kicking butt in the future. Creative minds are what fuel the world. So keep being creative, and keep chasing your dreams arts majors. There will come a day when all of the nay-sayers appreciate what we have done.
