At the University of South Carolina, some of the most popular majors include biology and research sciences. It’s business school, Darla Moore, is ranked #1 in international business for the 17th year in a row. Finding a business major or a STEM major at USC is a dime a dozen.

I’m not one of them.

As a broadcast student with a minor in political science, I constantly experience a patronizing attitude towards my future career. Surrounded by students who spend their days in business calculus or in three-hour labs, it’s as if anything I do towards my career will never be enough to measure up to their importance.

With my major, I want to become a political analyst who advocates for the disenfranchised people of America. Eventually, I want to become a politician and use my platform to create more equity in society.

While my workload isn’t particularly too heavy, it requires problem-solving and rhetorical thinking. I analyze text, learn theory, and write on hefty topics such as race, mass incarceration, and political corruption. While it takes a little bit longer for me to work out a statistics problem, I can produce 10-page papers and public service announcements in under two days.

Although I will not become a doctor, or a scientist, or a corporate business partner, my contribution to society will be just the same.

The ballooning of STEM majors’ and business majors’ importance in society over everyone else needs to stop. I am constantly belittled for my decision to pursue journalism. I’m told my classes don’t have the same weight and importance, simply because they don’t drag you through the mud with complicated labs and ridiculous amounts of homework.

My writing and what I can do with it is needed in society. Without non-STEM majors, we would not have laws, entertainment, fashion, or a proper government. We wouldn’t have political theory, social advocacy, or public administration. While the careers that come out of STEM majors are important, you cannot just dismiss everyone else.

Instead of a continuous struggle between right and left brain tendencies, we should together.

I no longer want to be treated less intelligent because my schedule does not involve a lab or a higher level math class.

I no longer want to be told my homework is not as challenging because it involves writing or reading.

I no longer want to be seen as “lazy” or “’unmotivated” because I’m not laboring over concepts of business and sciences, but instead political activism and theory.

Get it out of your head that non-STEM majors are stupid or beneath you because before you know it, you will need us.