Generally, when I tell people that I am a communications major, they either a) roll their eyes, or b) comment on how easy my life must be. Now, I know the opinions of others shouldn’t bother me but I can’t help but be baffled that my peers often think less of me because my courses don’t have as much of a work load. I am by no means stupid, or incapable of succeeding in other fields of study, I just chose a path that makes me happy, and will continue to make me happy when I am in the work force. We’ve all heard the quote, “Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life.” And that is exactly what I did. And I would really appreciate it if other students on campus saw the amounts of work that my classmates and I put in, both in and out of the classroom.
Yes, I am a freshman so I really haven’t had that much experience yet, but that doesn’t mean that I am not aware of the work that lies ahead of me. But with that said, I’m in the process of creating my own website through coding and it is by no means a walk through the park. I have so much to learn about how to use different cameras, how to be an effective broadcaster, and more. Yes, I am not doing quantum mechanics, but that doesn’t mean I don’t have to put a lot of time into learning the skills necessary for me to succeed in the workforce.
I look at some of the upperclassmen communications majors, and I realize how talented they are at what they do and how professional they are. I marvel at their networking skills and ability to work with others. Not to mention their lists of countless clubs and activities they are involved in, like writing for the school newspaper, or hosting their own radio show for our universities station. And now that I am aware of how much they have to do to get there, I have even greater respect for those individuals, and I look forward to my own journey of getting there.
The other week I told one an acquaintance that I am a communications major and they actually laughed, and probably assumed that I was some bimbo just pursuing my career because it’s the only thing I am intellectually capable of. Even one of my friends asked me if I now know what a real night’s sleep is, considering I am no longer a biology major. Do I have a lot less work now that I am not writing full manuscripts every other week? Yes. Am I happy about that? Uh, of course I am. But should I be looked at like I was too stupid to get through more than a semester of biology? Absolutely not. And for the record, I had an A in biology. I am so over being treated like an invalid for pursuing what I love, so please give me a break.
I am not only speaking for communications majors, but all students who have a major that is not considered so hard that its impossible to pass. I'm talking to you music majors, I know how hard it is to create your own compositions and identify which era that classical piece is from.
And I apologize for mostly ranting about my own experiences, but I am angry that most of us comm majors are disrespected because of the reputation our courses hold. And at the end of the day, we will all walk out of college with a degree of equal value in whatever you pursued during your four years. Just next time you meet someone that is a communications major, don’t assume that they are a lesser person because they aren’t in the library till 1 a.m. every day, and don’t actively hate our lives.
Peep me on ESPN in about ten years, and until then remember to not undermine the competence of communications majors.
