Whenever I tell someone I’m majoring in journalism, there are three usual responses. The first is they say “you know that there’s no jobs in that field, right?” The second is they make a face and say nothing, but their displeasure is clear. The final, and my favorite of them all, is when they suggest I go into another field, such as teaching or nursing.
Well, then. I’m sorry to have offended you with my choice of major. I’m going to take your advice now and go into a field that you think is more suited for me, such as teaching, medicine or accounting.
This is an example of major shaming. Major shaming is when someone bluntly begins to belittle your major. Some ways of major shaming include being told there’s no money or jobs in that career. Others just simply say some comment about your major not being the most prestigious aspiration in your life. Or, my favorite, someone making some assumption about your job that makes it look easier than it actually is. If you’re going to be a music teacher, you’re going to be practicing the guitar all day. If you’re going to be a journalist, you’re not making a difference in the world.
Major shaming needs to stop. It’s rude and hurtful to tell someone that what they are doing with their lives is basically a waste of time. I don’t care if you’re a concerned parent or friend. It just needs to stop.
Instead of major shaming, let’s support those who have picked a career path they love and will thrive in. Choosing a major that was right for me took years. I started out as an English major, and then there was a brief time when I was a psychology major. I planned to be a social worker or psychiatrist. However, I quickly learned that neither of those paths were the ones for me. During that time, I happened to be taking a journalism course to fulfill my history requirement. That class led me down the rabbit hole, and into the field of journalism, where I was welcomed with open arms into a land of opportunity and surrounded by people that shared the same aspirations for me.
Since declaring my major in journalism, I’ve never once wanted to turn back to the other majors, nor did I ever once question whether or not this was something I really wanted to do with my life.
However, others doubt my decision and question whether or not it’s a mistake or whether I’m just throwing my life away. Yes, I know I’ll never go to medical school, nor will I take the bar. I also won’t become a PhD, I won’t be found in the classroom and I won’t try to help couples salvage their marriage. Instead, I’ll be given the task of story teller. I’ll tell you the stories of people who have made differences. Being given that task is a thousand times better than having the salutation of “Dr.”
As we enter the holiday season, when college students will be home for the holidays, family members take note. Don’t major shame the college students in your life. Instead support them and say they are doing well. And, if not, there’s one golden rule you should follow. If you don’t have something nice to say, don’t say it at all.
