College Major Stereotypes
Start writing a post
Entertainment

College Major Stereotypes

College majors should not be labeled

650
College Major Stereotypes
careersinpublichealth.net

A fact that no high school graduate can deny is that stereotyping exists within the confines of the student body. There are jocks, band geeks, preps, loners, etc. in both smaller and larger high school settings. It may not be as blatantly obvious as Janice showing Cady all the cliques sitting in the cafeteria together in the movie "Mean Girls," but the similarities present within is what made that particular scene amusing to a broad audience. When you witnessed that cliques actually do exist, it tended to be a rough four years.

What people fail to recognize is that stereotyping can follow you to college, only it is a tad bit different -- it shows itself through the major that you choose to pursue. For example, if you are a science major, the question you are often asked after "what is your major?" will usually be "you want to become a doctor, right?" There are a number of professions besides becoming a doctor that one can follow with a degree in science. Assuming that a person who is a science major will automatically want to become a doctor is inconsiderate and annoying to those who wish to seek a different path in the world of science. Although students who picked the same major have to take the same required classes, they can branch out and go a different direction than the next student. When a person stereotypes majors like that, they make the assumption that there is only one available option to choose with a certain degree.

The beauty of choosing a career is that a person actually has the option to take the road less taken. A criminal justice major does not have to become a police officer if they do not desire to do so. They could specialize in forensics, or become a criminal investigator. They could continue their education and go to law school, or work as a Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) Agent, like Hank Schrader from "Breaking Bad." An English major, such as myself, can go anywhere with an English degree besides teaching. If all goes well, I plan to attend graduate school to pursue a master's degree in Library Sciences. You can just about do anything with an English degree -- people do not take this into consideration, and it can get tedious to constantly deny that I want to be an English teacher.

Even the mean stereotypes about majors can (no pun intended) majorly hinder a college student. "What are you going to do with an art degree?" or, "You can't get a serious paying job with that kind of education," can be really offensive to a student with any kind of major. Art majors are not the only type of majors that suffer from this harassment either. Recently, I was scolded for mentioning that I wanted to be a librarian because it "wasn't a job where I could get paid more than $100,000 annually." I am aware that a librarian does not get paid as much as a doctor does, but it is something I really intend to pursue. J.K. Rowling was told not to be an author for a living, and yet here she is today, one of the only authors to become a billionaire, just by doing what she loved the most. The possibilities of someone's future are ambiguous and endless; college students know the pros and cons of taking up a certain major, so it does not do anyone any justice to educate them on matters they already fully understand.

Just because you happen to be a psychology major does not mean that you are obligated to become a therapist. And just because you chose a major that does have the same salary as the next does not mean you shouldn't pursue it. I cannot stress this enough to all existing majors. It can possibly restrain someone from doing what they love and are good at. Labeling college majors like that closes off the opportunities for them to explore the professional world. Instead of asking a college student if they are going to be a specific occupation, try asking them "what would you like to do with that degree?" Don't discourage them from pursuing a certain major as well just because the possible occupations the student could take up are not as handsomely paid as others. It leaves their desired future in their own hands, where it should always stay, and leads to a more pleasant conversation at the dinner table.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

54799
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less
a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

35260
loaves of challah and easter bread stacked up aside each other, an abundance of food in baskets
StableDiffusion

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

Keep Reading...Show less
Adulting

Unlocking Lake People's Secrets: 15 Must-Knows!

There's no other place you'd rather be in the summer.

957454
Group of joyful friends sitting in a boat
Haley Harvey

The people that spend their summers at the lake are a unique group of people.

Whether you grew up going to the lake, have only recently started going, or have only been once or twice, you know it takes a certain kind of person to be a lake person. To the long-time lake people, the lake holds a special place in your heart, no matter how dirty the water may look.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Top 10 Reasons My School Rocks!

Why I Chose a Small School Over a Big University.

184018
man in black long sleeve shirt and black pants walking on white concrete pathway

I was asked so many times why I wanted to go to a small school when a big university is so much better. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure a big university is great but I absolutely love going to a small school. I know that I miss out on big sporting events and having people actually know where it is. I can't even count how many times I've been asked where it is and I know they won't know so I just say "somewhere in the middle of Wisconsin." But, I get to know most people at my school and I know my professors very well. Not to mention, being able to walk to the other side of campus in 5 minutes at a casual walking pace. I am so happy I made the decision to go to school where I did. I love my school and these are just a few reasons why.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments