Disclaimer: This article is not intended to dilute the importance of pursuing careers in the business, medical, legal or scientific fields. I do believe that these occupations are vital and should continue to be studied. However, I do not believe that these occupations are the only ones that should be practiced.
Cue adult. Middle-class with a comfortable lifestyle. Has three children. Serves on the Parent Teacher Alliance. Spouse is salesperson for a large, vaguely recognizable corporation.
“Oh so you’re in college? Do you love it?”
Cue me. Young adult. Middle class with a comfortable lifestyle. Does homework/studies/participates in extra-curriculars by day. Watches Netflix by night.
“Yes! It’s awesome. Lots of work but lots of fun, so I can’t complain.”
“Ah, that’s great, do you know what you’re majoring in yet?”
“I’m actually an English major! Creative Writing to be more specific.”
“… oh,” cue simultaneous eye roll, “… do you know what you want to do with that?”
Nope. I haven’t thought about that actually. I read this really great book in the second grade called, “If You Give a Mouse a Cookie,” and just thought it was so entertaining that ever since then I’ve settled in pursuing a job as an author.
NO.
To any person - young, old, educated, uneducated, employed or unemployed: Yes, to your surprise, I HAVE considered what I want to “do” with my major. Even more appalling? I believe that I actually can.
You may assume that you are the first to inform me that careers in the business or science fields are where I will make the most money. You are not.
I understand that pursuing a career in English, or communications, or something that ends in “-ology”, or art, or dance, or philosophy, will not guarantee immediate pay-off. However, if I am taking the time to pursue something that interests me enough to commit to it, irrelevant to its financial rewards, then wouldn’t it be logical to assume that I’ve got enough drive toward that field to be successful?
I am very thankful for people like my doctor who prescribed me medicine when I was sick. I am very grateful for the banker that helped me open my first savings account. I am very appreciative of my dad who works hard as a computer salesman.
But, I am also thankful for the funny commercials that my friends and I laugh to during the Superbowl. I am also grateful for the book that I read in high school whose copy I refuse to throw out because it was that meaningful to me. I am also appreciative of the first album I ever downloaded on iTunes in third grade and still know word-for-word to this day.
These things, as well as many others that are heavily entwined in day-to-day life, could not be produced in a world of people that are solely trained in business or science.
You want to major in dance? You dance your heart out and prove them wrong the day you open your own studio.
You want to major in documentary production? Keep your camera rolling and teach them all about the many things they’d never know about otherwise.
You want to major in fine arts? Proudly wear your paint-stained clothes to your first major gallery debut.
It’s easy to hear these arguments and dismiss them as reasoning from a naïve, under-experienced romantic, who can’t grasp the needs of the world. But, from our point of view, it’s easy to hear your arguments and dismiss them as reasoning from corporate, financially-motivated realists that don’t understand the significance of things other than money or research.
So, to all who have ever received an eye roll, shoulder shrug, or petty “but what will you do with that” after discussing their majors: keep doing what you love and proving the big kids wrong.
To anyone that has ever given an eye roll, shoulder shrug, or petty “but what will you do with that” after discussing someone’s major: please know that we are not stupid, we are not naïve, and we are not hopeless.
