When people think about art majors, I’m sure there are plenty of things that come to mind. Maybe an art major lives in your building and is always asking people to help out with their projects? Or maybe someone in your family is thinking of majoring in art? So I'm sure you have some ideas about what art majors do. Either way, I find that most preconceptions about art majors are often gross oversimplifications of what artists want to do. In fact, it wasn’t until I became an art major that I really understood the complexity behind this major.

In fact, many artists do what they do to effect social change or maybe educate people. I’ll bet that most people don’t even consider that art could be more than making weird or pretty things. Even so, friends and parents who usually mean well often tell art majors that they are not going to get a job--or if they do, they’ll be making pennies--which on top of the stress of college, isn’t helpful in the slightest. So if you are majoring in art, or are thinking of doing so, here are some suggestions of how to respond to common criticisms.

The job market is fiercely competitive within the arts

Okay… but this applies to all jobs. Pretty much all job markets are fiercely competitive these days. Think about how many people want to be engineers or lawyers today; people don’t walk around saying, “You want to be a lawyer? You might not get a job because it’s so competitive.” People who want to be lawyers are respected, and commended for trying to do something that’s difficult. So, what makes people think it is okay to do so for art majors? If you really think about it, it’s hard to get a job in almost any field.

It should be noted that just because someone is majoring in art doesn’t necessarily mean he or she wants to get a job specifically in that field. There are actually a lot of applications for an art major outside of that field. Take my major, Film and Video Studies, for example. Just because I am a film major does not mean that I want to get a job in Hollywood. Sure, it would be cool to work there in the future, but that isn’t typical for someone to do right out of college. Many film majors actually end up in the marketing world, creating promotional videos and commercials or other marketing components. Not to mention, someone has to make the content on Netflix so you can spend your weekend binge watching your favorite shows. So, there is definitely a market for an art degree even if it is not directly related to the art world.

What does majoring in art say about your intelligence?

A lot actually. Studies show that bosses want creative employees because they are more adaptable and have better potential to make good product. The curriculum for art majors is not just limited to art--you have to take a lot of other classes because the department realizes that it is important to be well rounded. Creativity and being well rounded are two major characteristics of highly intelligent people, which not only makes you employable, but respectable.

Art major or not, you shouldn’t have to justify your life choices to anyone. It’s important to support your loved one’s endeavors and keep your opinion to yourself--it’s your life, not theirs. These lessons hold true during, before, and after college. Whatever your major is, pick something that makes you happy. If getting a job is what scares you, just remember that you don’t always have to get a job directly in what you majored in. Think about the skills that your major taught, and market those when you’re looking for a job. A lot of the time, there is a huge job market for these sorts of things, you just need to know where to look. Don’t be afraid to follow your dreams!