The other weekend I went to my cousin’s baby shower. There, I had to mingle awkwardly with my extended relatives. As a student, I always hated the questions that relatives ask me. What am I doing with my life? What’s my major? What are my plans? Well, I’m sorry to say that I don’t know my plans are at the moment. I don’t even know what am I going to eat for breakfast tomorrow…

At the baby shower, I was approached by this middle-aged lady. I don’t know her name, but I have seen her before at other family gatherings. She asked what school I went to and what my major was. I replied proudly, that I am a journalism major at the University of Maryland. The lady raised her eyebrows in shock and said, “Journalism? You won’t find a job in that.” A bit taken back, I replied that Maryland is one of the top ten schools for journalism and that news is a huge asset to society. Without the news, you won’t know what’s going on.

Also, with a journalism degree, I could do so much than reporting. Today, journalism majors can work in public relations, communications, digital media, advertising and marketing, technical writing, publishing, magazine writers, and creative writing. There are so many opportunities that journalism majors can do. Unfortunately, the lady wasn’t impressed as much with my list and asked what I’m minoring in.

I replied that I’m leaning towards business or teaching. However, teaching would more of back-up or future option for me. She nodded her head and said, “at least with a teaching job, you make some money and have a stable job in. If I were you, I would change your major. " The lady proceeds to walk off casually. I was flabbergasted.

Flabergasted, surprised, and a bit shocked as to how someone, a sensible adult could so quickly crush someone's dreams. But I forced myself to ignore her comments and look at the insulting conversation as something positive. I have the control to do whatever I want with my future. I have the power to decide to do a journalism major and find success in that. If journalism doesn't work out there are a variety of options for me. I have the skills and qualifications for many different things. Truthfully, I love to write and journalism will always be a part of me. I am an aspiring journalist and I will succeed in this cruel world.