As students, we are expected to have a definite game plan the moment we make our transition from high school to college. This begins with choosing our major. When selecting a field of study, it must meet a very specific criteria: it must give you security, a job, and a good salary. Certain majors, like philosophy, theatre, or history, are categorized as “impractical". For these majors, and many others, it seems that there is no direct link between a degree and a job in that field. If there’s anything I’ve learned from going to a liberal arts college, it’s that everything you do matters.
Here are four reasons why every major has value:
1. No matter what, you’re getting a college education.
In today’s job market, it’s absolutely vital to have some kind of college education to get a well paying job, no matter what field you’re pursuing a degree in. There is a direct connection between how much education a person receives and their income. U.S. News reported that college graduates between 25 and 32 are making $17,500 more annually than people who only hold a high school degree. That study was conducted among people with all kinds of degrees and levels of education. At the end of the day, no matter what your major is, you already have more job security than anyone who didn’t go to college.
2. Every major has its challenges.
Despite what people say, each major is uniquely difficult. People who are majors in the science discipline are required to understand very concrete concepts. Music majors also learn about different aspects of their discipline that require precision, like technique, conducting, and theory. These present similar challenges. Other fine arts and humanities majors require people to think more abstractly, like answering moral questions or interpreting meaning in Shakespearean text. In every discipline, students are required to accomplish different tasks and solve problems. There is no such thing as an “easy degree”. Work is work - there is no way around it.
3. Different, important skills are taught in each major.
Because each major has its own difficulties, students are challenged in vastly contrasting ways. We often view college majors as a passage to getting a specific job after graduation. In reality, while students are learning about different subjects in their major, they are gaining experiences in areas to market themselves after college. Classics majors, for example, learn to think critically and formulate arguments. Students who are studying theatre can exhibit to future employers that they are confident, have communication skills (which is one of the most sought after skills employers looks for), and are creative. In every major, in every university, students are being taught both a “trade” and developing skills.
4. Studying what you love is important in your education.
Above all, if you are studying what you love, you are studying the right subject. College is the only time in your life that you get to focus on yourself. We have more flexibility now than we will in any other time in our life, and it shouldn’t be wasted on focusing on something that is only “practical”. You passion is valuable, no matter what you study.
