STEM. Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics.

I had never heard of the acronym until high school. 4 years ago there was a huge push for students to be interested in STEM and once in college, become STEM majors. Pressure was put on students to like these subjects, solely for the fact that your income would be greatly increased for having a degree in a STEM Program. All throughout high school I was pushed into STEM programs based on two determining criteria: I am a. a high achieving student and b. a high achieving FEMALE student. People decided that just because I am smart and a woman, that STEM should be the career for me.

I'm tired of it.

I'm tired of being told that if I don't have a STEM career, my financial stability will be in jeopardy.

I'm tired of being told, "Women in STEM will get a job no matter what".

I'm tired of STEM curriculum being forced down my throat.

I'm tired of family friends, high school teachers, and society telling my that without a STEM degree my I won't be successful. Don't get me wrong, I love math and science. I would voluntarily choose to do calculus problems or Punnett squares any day of the week. I truly believe that solving for "x" in an algebra problem sounds more fun than writing essays. BUT that doesn't mean I want to be an engineer. I have never, I mean NEVER, considered becoming an engineer. Since I was young I never showed an interest in in the classic STEM professions.

Liberal Arts degrees are not a joke. Have you ever had that feeling when you're learning something in one of your courses and it ends up being discussed in your other class? The feeling is mind blowing. THIS is Liberal Arts. Everything is interconnected. Not only do Liberal Arts degrees require graduates to be well-versed in their particular area of subject, but they ALSO have math and science requirements. Liberal Arts students leave college as well-rounded individuals.

Don't get me wrong, I understand why the push for STEM degrees has increased, especially for women. However, that doesn't make the stigma against Liberal Arts degrees tolerable.

Choose a major because that's what YOU want to learn about. At the end of the day, if you're unhappy with your career path, your monetary success will mean absolutely nothing.

STEM isn't for everyone--and that's okay. I'm tired of being pushed into STEM fields when other academic paths are just as valid. Choosing a major is personal decision. Stay out of MY choice.