When it comes to picking a major, nothing is considered as impractical as choosing a liberal arts degree. Students in the humanities often receive pitying looks from friends and family; people think you are going to be another unemployment statistic.
The question many ask over and over again to a student with a liberal arts degree is, “so what are you going to do with that?” This question can make a student feel certain that they are doomed, though they are pursuing a degree they are passionate about. A student might doubt themselves because of this constant disapproval, and switch majors in haste, a decision they may later regret.
During the Month of Majors at NMU, do not rule out a degree in the field of liberal arts just because some say no money can be made in the humanities.
Though the world needs biologists, chemists and computer science majors, someone has to edit their journal articles, theses and software documentation.
As an English writing major, I know the pitying looks and the disapproving gestures all too well. I’ve seen it time and time again when I tell someone I’m going to school for English.
What I want to know is where this stigma against liberal arts majors comes from. Isn’t the goal in life to be happy, not to make money hand over fist?
I could very easily be a biology major and do research for the rest of my life, but I would be miserable.
Dissecting and studying organisms simply does not peak my interest nor does it do much for my appetite.
Obviously, there would be a great deal of money to be made for someone working in a science-related field, but what good is money when you aren’t happy with what you’re doing in life?
I would rather spend the rest of my career doing something I love and earn a modest living than to do something I hate just because it comes with a larger paycheck.
I may not be discovering the cure for cancer, but I could very well be the writer to dumb down that science report so everyone else can understand it.
Having a liberal arts degree should not be looked down on with such disdain.
It’s a life choice and not something that should be judged. Just because someone doesn’t choose to be a doctor or a lawyer doesn’t mean they should be looked down on.
And no, just because I have a liberal arts degree does not mean I will be asking “do you want fries with that?” for the rest of my life.
Being a liberal arts major doesn’t mean your highest potential is to become crew leader of whatever fast-food joint will take you first. I’ve come to learn that there are so many different opportunities for individuals like myself just in the field of English.
There’s journalism, technical writing, editorial work, communications and much more.
English is one of the most versatile degrees out there because it is a degree that emphasizes solely on communication, an area that every industry and employer needs some sort of person to manage in order to be successful.
I personally want to be an editor. I want to be the person that reads through novel after novel and decides which one is the next best seller and which belongs in the recycling bin.
It’s a literature geek’s greatest dream and one that I hope to accomplish.
It’s what makes me happy, just like how working with patients or creating the marketing scheme for the next greatest product makes others happy.
So before you start shaking your head at the next liberal arts major you come across, take a moment and appreciate the fact that that person is trying to live their life in the way that makes them happiest.
Who knows, you could be looking at our generation’s most prolific up-and-coming writer.
Rob • May 3, 2013 at 1:56 pm
“I would rather spend the rest of my career doing something I love and earn a modest living than to do something I hate just because it comes with a larger paycheck.”
Does that modest living include working retail for $8 an hour? If so, why bother with a college degree?
You haven’t stumbled upon some magic key to happiness. Life isn’t about doing whatever you like. Life is about making or doing something that other people find valuable enough to pay you for it. Maybe look into studying some economics. Just because I love petting my cat doesn’t mean I’m going to pursue that as my career. My career isn’t my favorite activity, but it’s fulfilling and most importantly it pays well enough that I can pursue my real interests in my spare time.
Frank • Oct 24, 2012 at 2:01 pm
Martin,
The quote you cite, “…something up with which I shall not put,” is derived from an essay that Winston Churchill wrote. Preposition endings are quite common in English writing, and sometimes provide clarity. By saying that no sentence may end in a preposition is to be a prescriptivist, or someone who says that language adheres to a strict set of rules when, in fact, there are multiple ways to do something correctly.
It is pompous to say that “upon” is the superior preposition when “on” works just as well. That kind of logic is asinine.
If I said, “I’ll meet you in Starbucks,” and I also said, “I’ll meet you at Starbucks,” both are correct. There is not one correct answer for every scenario. Instead of leaving passive-aggressive comments on a website, why don’t you better use your time and do something productive.
Martin • Oct 24, 2012 at 11:22 am
“Liberal Arts positioned me for some interesting jobs, but more importantly gave me a solid foundation to build on.”
Ending a sentence with a preposition is something up with which I shall not put.
As a Biology major, it pains me to see an English major not have the available vocabulary to utilize the more accurate preposition, “upon”.
(winkey, smiley, LOL and other Internet shorthand)
Leanne Collier • Oct 19, 2012 at 10:06 pm
As an English Major, BA ’78 from Western Michigan University, I can tell you the world does need us, even though it still doesn’t value us. Liberal Arts positioned me for some interesting jobs, but more importantly gave me a solid foundation to build on.
But it pains me to see a college level English major who doesn’t have the available vocabulary to know the word “pique” – I guess that’s why the writer is still in college. Keep studying, my friend.
inferiority complex? • Oct 19, 2012 at 5:46 pm
Though the world needs biologists, chemists and computer science majors, someone has to edit their journal articles, theses and software documentation.
Right, us poor liberal arts majors are here to dumb things down for smarter people who have better things to do. Oh, but then there’s the odd chance of becoming a writer (but not if you write like this)