I'm a second semester sophomore and I just declared my major. I actually declared a double major in English and political science. Anyone who knows me knows that I hated being asked about what I was going to major in before I declared. I would try for an, "oh you know I'm still trying to figure it out" even though I really wanted to say "leave me alone I have no idea what I'm going to do and you asking about it isn't making it any better."
Now that I've declared a major I can confidently respond with English and political science when someone asks me what I'm majoring in. But now this answer has opened a whole new door full of questions I don't even want to think about let alone answer. And at the front of this door is, "what are you going to do with those majors?"
To be honest I'm not exactly sure what I'm going to do. Maybe I'll turn editing into a full-time job. Maybe I'll work on a campaign. Maybe I won't even do something that has to do with English or political science. Maybe I'll combine both and become a speechwriter. Who knows? Not me and that's okay for now because I still have two years to figure it out.
What's not okay is the condescending tone of the people who ask about my English and political science majors. Or the fact that they feel it's necessary to bring up the declining job market for editors. Or make comments about how politics is just so boring or too full of hate for them.
When I chose these majors I knew these facts. My dad made me do hours of research on careers over the summer before I picked out my majors. I know the odds about editing and publishing jobs. I know that politics can be boring or full of tensions. I didn't make my decisions in a vacuum, so I don't need you to remind me of things I already know.
And the worst part is that if I had chosen a more commonly acceptable major I wouldn't be hearing these questions. If I had chosen engineering no one would feel the need to question my major even if I didn't know exactly what I wanted to do with it. If I had chosen business no one would question me.
To many adults, these majors are seen as more secure options for the future. We won't run out of jobs for engineers and businesspeople. Even if a college student in these majors didn't know exactly what they wanted to do with these majors it wouldn't matter because the adult has a preconceived notion of what they are going to do. Once I mention I don't want to be a lawyer their preconceived notion flies out the window leaving them grasping at straws.
Don't get me wrong I'm not upset about declaring a major. In fact, I'm super excited about it. I finally feel like I have some sort of direction for my future. While that direction does not necessarily entail me knowing my future job, it's still better than nothing. I'm just not happy about the fact that people don't trust in my ability to use my majors to get whatever job I want. It's not the major that decides your future it's your work.
