College is a wonderful place where students go to figure out who they are (and make a questionable decision every now and then). Although you might not know what you want to major in by the time college rolls around (does anyone, really?), it’s important to realize that this is the time to discover your passions and realize what you truly want to do!
There is a stereotype that a predetermined path to success exists (studying to be a doctor, lawyer, nurse… you catch my drift), and it may dictate what a student studies in school because these careers are viewed as a guarantee of success—but what about the majors and degrees that aren’t considered practical or successful? We spoke with a few collegiettes who have some choice words for those who view their majors as impractical. Find out what exactly you can achieve with your degree and let everyone know that they can finally get off your back about your major.
The Art Major
An art major can be considered useless because it can be perceived as a dead-end road. And if you’re an art history major? Forget it. People love to toss around the phrase “starving artist.” Lexie Mallary, a sophomore at Carthage College and a double major in graphic design and accounting, believes there’s a beauty to art majors that not everyone can see.
“I hope one day to own my own graphic design business, and my accounting major will definitely help me on the business side of things,” she says. “A lot of times when people hear my majors, they struggle to understand why I am studying things on two completely different ends of the spectrum.” Although there are majors out there that are considered impractical, it’s okay to pair them with other fields that don’t necessarily go hand-in-hand. “People might not truly understand what I’m doing, but as long as I stay focused on my goals and get to where I want to be, eventually they might get the sense of why,” says Lexie.
Art encompasses plenty of fields of study, including graphic design, performance arts and music. You can make a career out of being an illustrator, photographer, theater performer, animator, printmaker or even a professor if you so please. “I think people might view any type of art major as impractical because they don’t often notice how prevalent art is in our everyday lives. That’s the beauty of art, it’s in everything—whether it be in a simple advertisement or the family photographs hanging on our walls,” Lexie explains. Art may seem like more of a hobby than a career to some, but expressing your talents while studying something you’re passionate about is key. Career options for an art major won’t leave you absolutely starving, we promise.
The Communications Major
The communications major is perceived as an easy way to graduate and the perfect major for someone who just wants to party on the weekends. Although communications doesn't have the rigorous reputation engineering has, that’s not to say that the major doesn’t hold any value. Since when did the course load of a major determine its worth?
With a communications degree, you are able to explore many different fields. You can consider going into journalism, sports media, public relations—the career possibilities are almost endless (especially if you’re double majoring or pursuing a minor).
As a communications and public relations major myself, I have been told several different times that my field of study is really easy and considered a joke. What people don’t realize is that the ability to write and communicate effectively is absolutely essential in everything you do. Plus, with a background in PR, I have the ability to market myself as well. You could be the most brilliant doctor the world has ever seen, but if you lack the skills to be a people person and effectively communicate with your patients, then what’s the point?
The History Major
A common misconception about history majors is that their only realistic career option is becoming a teacher. With options so limited, why would history even be a practical major? The truth is, there are way more options out there. Careers in politics, media and archiving are just a few. History also teaches valuable lessons in critical thinking, which is useful for tons of different professions, like law.
If you’re passionate about subjects such as history, don’t let the fear of not being able to easily find a career derail your dreams. Obtaining something worth having is rarely easy, so if you really believe in yourself and what you study, then you are definitely up for the challenge.
Related: What To Do When You’re Having Doubts About Your Major
The Psychology Major
Psychology majors get a bad rap for studying a field that’s too broad and doesn’t offer any technical experience. Tessa McKenna, a junior at Carthage College and a psychology major, says otherwise. “Psychology is actually way more beneficial than people think," she says. "Just because it isn’t extremely specific doesn’t mean there aren’t benefits from it.”
Broad majors allow you to have more wiggle room once you move on to finding a job, and adding on a minor or two or taking a specific class can help narrow down which career path you’re leaning towards. Genetics counseling, human resources and social services management are just a few of the many jobs that someone with a psychology degree can obtain. “There are many routes one can take with a background in psychology to set them up and prepare them. The routes I am leaning toward are physical therapy or counseling,” Tessa explains.
Another important thing to remember is that majors that aren’t considered too practical offer valuable life skills at the same time. “Almost any job that someone can get is going to involve people. With psychology, you gain experience in learning how people behave and interact with others. This knowledge is considered and appreciated by companies wanting to hire,” says Tessa. “In any job one might face, they will be able to communicate more effectively as psychology provides useful people skills that are truly needed for everyday life.” Understanding how other people and even you yourself behave is essential when it comes to your career. With a degree in psychology, you can take on more than people may think.
The English Major
Many people write off English majors in favor of more career-geared majors such as journalism or reporting. What kind of career are you going to get if you just read books all day? However, the ability to read and write well will carry any student far in a world where the proper skills are becoming obsolete. With an English degree, you won’t be stuck with the only option of becoming an English professor—you can jumpstart careers in creative writing, publishing, law and political science.
“When I hear how people think my majors are impractical, I usually don’t let it bother me too much because I guess all that really matters is that I know what my goals are and that I try my best to focus on getting there,” Lexie says.
The Humanities Major
Some people may not see the value in a humanities major, but there are many skills that a student can pick up from studying humanities. Sophia Walker, a senior at Bowdoin College, goes into detail on what majoring in humanities entails. "I'm an Asian Studies major and a Cinema Studies minor and I dread the, 'So what are you going to do with that?' question," she says. "However, in my experience, if your major is in the humanities (which mine are), then are you are doing a lot of reading and a lot of writing. You are learning how to problem solve, write, make an argument and, especially in my case, see issues from new perspectives. These are all things employers like to see."
Humanities majors learn how to think critically and communicate effectively. Career options include an attorney or lawyer, corporate communications director and executive editor, just to name a few (career options that are also common among history and English majors, wink wink).
"Many more avenues are open to you, because these are skills you can apply to whatever you're passionate about. Your coursework will demonstrate what you're interested in, and since you've had practice writing and connecting ideas, you can fulfill any number of roles in any number of industries," Sophia says. It's so important to major in something that you're interested in, not something that you feel will make you the most money or guarantee you a job right out of college. Learning skills in a field you're passionate about will set you above all the rest.
"From what I've experienced, it's not as much about what the title of your major is, but what you actually did. In my case, I'm hoping to go into publishing or foreign rights, and my experience thinking critically about non-American literatures and cultures has come in very handy," Sophia explains. Own your major, and be confident in what you do!
For some bizarre reason, there are majors out there that are given a bad rap and aren’t considered equal to other majors. If you find yourself being told that your area of study won’t help you get a good job, remember that nothing is set in stone and your major is what you make of it.