With the widespread emphasis on STEM majors, humanities-based majors often get pushed aside by society. Here are eight things anyone who studies within the humanities field are sick of hearing:
1. “What are you going to do with that degree?” (in an arrogant tone)
This has to be the most infamous critique that other students and family members feel the need to express towards humanities-based majors. The last time I checked, I do not need to explain why my degree in Spanish Language and Literature is useful. Instead of asking others what they plan to do with their education, focus on your own because one day you maybe working for that person who has a “useless” degree.
2. “You were good at STEM in high school, why are you not studying STEM in college?”
I may have done well in my Advanced Placement chemistry courses in high school, however, I can honestly say I would fail out of college as a chemistry major. Just because a student did well in a particular area of study and is interested in it, does not automatically mean that they want to pursue it with their life. Do not value STEM over humanities. One would not be around without the other.
3. “I wish I was a (insert anything that is vaguely associated with the humanities department at your school) major. You guys have it so easy.”
This is honestly the most ridiculous comment I have received throughout my first year of college. Just because I may not be playing with chemicals in a laboratory for X amount of hours per day or studying math theory, does not mean what I study is easy. Half the people who have told me this would not last a day in my Advanced Spanish grammar and composition course. As a new mantra, let’s not assume what ANYONE studies is easy.
This next one goes out to all foreign language, history or cultural studies majors because I feel your pain on a personal level. As a business and Spanish double major, and minor in French I feel you guys especially when I am asked what classes I take during the semester.
4. “Well everyone speaks English now so what is the point of getting your degree?”
So here are the many issues with this statement: not everyone speaks English, this world would fall to bigotry without foreign language/history/cultural studies, Spanish and Chinese are the two most spoken languages in the world so this automatically renders this comment the most idiotic and uneducated remark I have ever received, and once again this all comes back to how what I study is none of your business.
To all you music and arts majors out there that go to a specialized institution, I apologize on behalf of the ignorance of our society.
5. “...Wait so if your school does not offer math and science, then do you guys just sing, dance and draw all day? That sounds so easy and fun!!”
I honestly do not even know how to address this properly to be completely honest. Even though I have absolutely no musical or artistic abilities, I sympathize with you guys. I know that you guys work beyond hard in an area of study that others would never be able to do. Do not listen to what society tells you. There is value in what you are doing and it is nowhere near easy.
6. “So you want to be a teacher…?”
To dispel any misconceptions there is a simple equation to follow: humanities majors ≠ education majors. This comment does not only degrade the future educators who will be teaching your children, but it also creates beyond a new level of ignorance. Whether you study English, music, art history, foreign language, journalism, and the list goes on, you honestly can do anything. Careers in law, social media, politics, business, public relations, communications, speech pathology, ESL are looking for your major. Do not fear you can and will find a career outside of education. This is not to say that education majors are useless. I am cheering you guys on also.
7. “That is great that you are pursuing something you love, even though you will not make a lot of money.”
This is one of those remarks that you know the person has good intentions, but they let their mouth run faster than their brain. Even though you may be ready to smack the person, do not. They are just deeply opinionated, uneducated and naive. Do not take it personally because one day they will be asking you for money and you have every right to say no.
8. “You must hate all STEM majors.”
I have nothing against STEM majors and to be frank a majority of my closest friends at college are STEM majors. I could not care less what anyone studies, as long as you respect what I do. I am not looking for you to be interested in my Spanish literature from the 1800s, I am just looking for you to keep your opinions to yourself.
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