If you're a college student or have attended college in the past, then you know that there are some majors that are expected and accepted while other receive confused looks, cautious responses and nervous laughter. The "realistic" and the "unrealistic," right? You art, English, music, gender and women's studies and even education majors know exactly what I'm talking about, I'm sure. The comments like, "That sounds...interesting, but what are you going to do?" are more than expected at this point and your replies are second nature. But trust me when I say that your major, your chosen career path, is nothing to be ashamed of whether it's within the established norm or not.
About halfway through my freshman year, I changed my major / minor combination from journalism and English to creative writing and world literature. I had already taken one journalism class and had the whole semester to consider that as my future at that point, but I realized it wasn't what I wanted to do. I wasn't enjoying the class, I wasn't interested in or comfortable with a journalism environment, so I knew I needed a change. It took me several extremely stressful nights of trying to decide between something "realistic" or something I was actually passionate about and would enjoy. And since I've been writing consistently for almost 10 years and have loved every second of it, my heart told me that creative writing was the path for me, and it has been extremely rewarding ever since.
And as I'm sure you expect, the way people responded to me telling them my major from then on compared to before changed rather drastically. I've been asked how I intend to get a job so many times that I'm almost always tempted to lie when asked about my major. But I'm not ashamed to be studying what I love or ashamed that I'm not doing something simpler than expected. No amount of judgmental looks or, "Well, have you considered something else just in case?" is going to make me regret my decision.
I also know I'm not the only one to get these reactions. I've heard all the same kinds of things from my classmates, and I've seen my significant other get a similar treatment. She's a secondary education major, and the responses she gets to it aren't much better. Namely, "Why? Are you sure about that?" as though she hasn't already considered her choice in every possible way.
I can't speak for my peers, but I'm entirely comfortable with the risk I'm taking in my education. I'm entirely comfortable with the possibility of not having the best financial situation in exchange of not wasting my life and time in college. Of course, every "questionable" major is open to far more career paths than people often consider. My major, for example, can lead to careers as an editor, critic, librarian, etc. There's more to deciding a major than money or security, and I've made my choice, as have many others, based on what feels right and what I'm passionate about.
So, before you look down on someone or make condescending comments about someone's major, just remember that they've probably heard it all before, have already considered every scenario and just want to do something they love. They deserve your respect just as much as any aspiring lawyer or doctor out there.
