As a college student it is expected that we will be asked several hundred times what our major is and what we intend to do with our degree post-graduation. Sadly, for some of us, it is also expected that we will receive numerous negative responses, disappointed faces, and rude remarks. What most people don't realize is that when you insult a person's major, you're insulting their character, future plans, and lifestyle choices as a whole. I've gotten a plethora of rude responses when I tell an individual my major and future I have chosen for myself. Although I don't let the responses change me or my plan, they're hard to ignore.
When a person makes a comment to me such as "Oh, I thought you were smart" when I inform them of my major, it's hard not to be defensive. Just because I am not going to school to be a doctor, a lawyer, or an engineer does not mean that I am not intelligent. I got into college, I have passed all of my classes, I made The Dean's list, and I am smart.
When a person's face instantly gets a horrified look of disappointment accompanied by "oh... well good luck" it's not easy to say thank you and continue a conversation. I don't mind having a career that others would never even consider, because I know that this is the right choice for myself. I am passionate about my chosen career path and I don't expect some people to understand that.
When I am constantly reminded that I "must not mind being poor forever" it's hard to swallow my pride and fake a laugh. I am not choosing my future based on income. I don't mind not having the nicest clothes or fancy cars, as long as I get to wake up and go to a job that I love every day. I am going to change lives and help others, and that's more rewarding than any pay check.
My choice of major is based on what I am passionate about, what I know that I am good at, and what I want to spend the rest of my life doing. I'm not settling, I'm creating a life that I want, and I expect people to support and respect my decision. The insults may not make a person change their whole life plan, but it will affect them. So next time you want to insult a person's choice of major - don't.
