Ever since freshman year of high school I have known what I have wanted to major in during college. I really wanted to work with film and animation; however, many people poked fun at me due to having a "silly" and "easy" major. Many times people have told me that I need to get a degree in business or math in order to be successful in life. Although I have been put down several times due to my career choices, I would not change them for the world. This article is a rant about the importance of being proud of your major.
Anytime someone says that your major is useless and a waste of money please realize that it's not. You can rebut by giving examples of what people with those degrees can accomplish. Since I want to work with animation (like the movie Coraline), I always point out that it is art majors who make it possible for consumers to watch film. I often hear English majors getting made fun of. I find this very irritating because it is those who major in English who wrote that book you like, and those who taught you the difference between there, they're, and their.
What has got me through the criticism is the fact that I love animation development. One of my greatest fears is getting stuck in a boring office job that I hate. Although I won't make as much as a physics major, I will wake up and be excited to go to work every day. I personally believe that it is more important to enjoy your work than make an excess of money. If teaching English to fifth graders is your passion, then do it! Who cares if people don't agree?
Another stereotype I am tired of hearing about is that art majors are always socially awkward and messy. I don't understand how liking to create art automatically makes someone awkward. On occasion, artists do identify as introverts, but that does not reflect their ability to make friends. Also, artists are not messy. We just live in organized chaos. Sometimes it is easier to think if you can see all of your things at once versus taking everything out one thing at a time!
In conclusion, do what you want with your life versus what society makes you feel like you must do. I have found that life is more fun when you do what makes you happy. Please don't think that this article is about dropping out of school because you want to play video games for eighteen hours a day instead of only six hours a day. There's a difference between being passionate and reckless.
