So what exactly are you going to make?
The dreaded question every liberal arts major hates hearing. For some reason, there is a stigma surrounding liberal arts majors, specifically communication majors. People tend to think that I chose "the easy way out." This is so far from the truth. Nobody goes to college and picks the major that they think is the easiest. Nobody is going to spend thousands of dollars and countless hours every year investing their time into something that they aren't interested in. I chose this major because I love it.
As a communications major, it doesn't matter how good my grades are because everyone assumes what I do is easy. Coincidentally, most of the time this is coming from the same group of students who are paying me to write their papers (and you're welcome for that A). I am usually considered to be less intelligent than my colleagues who are good at science or math. People always seem to forget that there are different types of intelligence. We all have different strengths and weaknesses, which is important because if we didn't, we would all be carbon copies of one another.
Major shaming is the whispers from your classmates on the first day of class when you introduce yourself and tell them your major. It's the "tsk" that is heard when you talk to relatives about your studies. It's the Forbes article that suggests no major is better than a liberal arts major. It's the questioning tone that sits heavily on every conversation and exhausts you from constantly defending yourself.
But why am I defending myself? Why does my face become flushed as the word "journalism" escapes my lips? I shouldn't be embarrassed or be on the defensive side every time I begin to speak. Instead I should be proud of my studies and future with so many doors of opportunities.
Contrary to popular belief, my intended future profession is meaningful. No, I won't save a life, find the cure for cancer, or develop the next leading technology...but I will be able to write articles that can make even the saddest person smile. The same 26 letters of the alphabet that are plugged into your various math equations I can use to influence our generation or report on the latest world events. No, my work probably won't change the world—but that doesn't mean I can't try. Don't count me out just because we don't thrive in the same areas in school.
Yes, I am aware that as a journalism major I won't make as much as a doctor—and I'm not saying I should. No, my plan isn't to write for a hometown newspaper, and if you knew anything about the field (which you don't) you would know that digital journalism is on the rise.The news you so frequently watch and debate about is filled with communication majors. The Nike commericals you drool over are made possible with a little help from promotional communication. So before you ask what I'll make, don't. Monetary value isn't nearly as important to me as personal value. But to answer your question as to what exactly I'm going to make...the answer is: myself happy.
