Hi, hello. I am aware that I am focusing my studies on something humanities related. Yes, I am aware that there are others at my university that are studying things not humanities related. However, there are some other things we should clear up.
Those of us in the humanities do not have any less work than science, engineering, or other majors.
Different work? Yes. But, less work? Definitely not. Trust me, I would love to just take one or two easy classes and be offered my diploma on a little silver platter. However, that's not what happens in the humanities, or any other discipline. We may not have to be confined to a laboratory for hours on end, or have to struggle through proofs and calculus (I truly am sorry that others have to do that, it sounds like death) but, we do have to read. Yes, we actually have to do our reading! And let's not forget all of the papers. The papers never end.
We are not doomed when it comes to careers.
This may just be for my own reassurance, but I'm pretty sure majoring in what I'm passionate about won't be a recipe for my own self-destruction. Yes, the job market is terrifying and cutthroat. Yes, we may be majoring in something that statistically may not show as being the most "available" career option. But that doesn't mean that we don't work just as hard as everyone else, nor that our hard work won't lead to success in our post graduate lives. A Bachelor of the Arts is not a death sentence. The Huffington Post and The Business Insider seem to think so too.
We do not all want to be teachers.
Shocking, I know. Not to say that there aren't many of us heading toward an academic future, but there are plenty of other options. A liberal arts degree is extremely flexible, and there are no rules against following whatever path one may want. An English major could become a lawyer. An anthropology major could become a journalist. There are no mandates, the possibilities are endless!
We are not stupid.
We didn't "pick these majors because they seemed easy." We're not "just trying to graduate." In fact, we did happen to be admitted to the same institution as all these science and engineering majors. Acknowledging that humanities majors are intelligent is not to say that non-humanities are any less intelligent. We can all be smart! That's completely acceptable! There doesn't have to be a competition, there doesn't have to be a "better" choice, and humanities majors definitely don't have to be at the brunt edge of this unnecessary intelligence battle.
So, the next time you hear a history major complaining about all of their reading, maybe empathize instead of scoff. Instead of just assuming the next English major you meet is studying to be a teacher, maybe you can find out about their thrilling plans to pursue a career in international politics. A world without stereotypes is a pipe dream, but humanities and engineering majors can understand and accept their differences, without belittling those socially understood as "easier."
Here's to being broke and unemployed after college, no matter the major.
