Some of you may not relate to this, but I am tired of hearing the statement, “But, you’re a Comm[unications] Major!”
Not in a positive way where someone would merely ask you to proofread their report, but in a way which I find negative; for instance, one of my colleagues asked me once how finals were going. I simply just shrugged and said “Oh, it’s exhausting. I spend most of my days in the library.” In response, they said “But … you’re a Comm Major!”
What’s that supposed to mean?
Oh, right. Communication majors are supposed to be laidback, taking it easy. Insert sarcasm here. After all, that person was a Computer Science major.
Even one of my teachers back in high school “warned” me that Communication majors are demeaned on campus. “Why not major in Nursing?”
The issue of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) versus Humanities and Arts (history, languages, law, literature, philosophy, religion, fine arts, etc.) has been a popular discussion for quite some time now. I admit, STEM fields are pretty important. Without science, there wouldn't be any vaccines that prevent us from being sick.
Without technology, there wouldn't be faster and easier ways of doing things such as driving to work that’s 30 miles away or communicating with loved ones around the world.
Without engineering and math, the calculations, buildings and structures we see and encounter in our daily lives would cease to exist.
Nevertheless, how do doctors, scientists, technicians, engineers, or mathematicians succeed without comprehension, inspiration, and explanations? These areas of studies are driven by historical and cultural views and information. Scientists learn how to create new vaccines through the analysis of histories involving diseases, pathogens, and casualties. Engineers include a sparkle of art with their inventions. Leonardo da Vinci for instance was not only an artist but also an engineer.
Thus, the STEM fields consist of fundamental rooms for the humanities and arts.
It is essential to be well-rounded. The humanities and arts allow us to be experienced and intellectual in many different ways. We actually learn how to critically think and write, most especially have constant interactions with different people. I, for instance, speak Tagalog and French. This knowledge and speaking ability that I have allows me to communicate with other cultures around the world. Once we learn new languages, it is easy for us to learn more. Furthermore, the humanities and arts enable us to share our ideas carefully, and people actually buy them and are interested. Without the humanities, our college books would be non-existent. Many of the ideas and assumptions today wouldn't exist as well.
Although the highest paying jobs are from STEM fields, the Humanities and Arts are gradually climbing the ladder almost equivalent to physicians, nurses, and dentists. Let us work together, collaborate, and hear ideas from each other's fields.
So what if I'm a Comm major? Can I not stay in the library for hours and hours and be worried about my classes?
We should not demean others' interests and just simply think that together, we are all special for we create, invent, critique, solve, and achieve many things.
