15 Questions to Ask the Atypical Major | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Student Life

15 Questions to Ask the Atypical Major

My major is a real major, it is important, and it deserves just as much attention and respect. So ask me about it.

348
15 Questions to Ask the Atypical Major

In This Article:

If you're a college student, you've probably lived through this scenario. The scenario in which you are sitting at a dining table or other social gathering, usually with adults older than you or maybe relatives, and suddenly the topic of career goes around the table. "What's your major? What do you want to do?" they ask you with expectant and hopeful eyes. Eyes that are hopeful for your response of something lavish or of high study like engineering, law, or the medical field. Something bringing in money, and therefore making a difference to the world. You reply with your major patiently although you know this conversation is already going nowhere.

When you reply the asker only smiles slightly, giving a faint nod of the head and says something like: "Oh, cool." Acknowledging but not intrigued or caring. And with that you smile waiting for the next question that likely isn't going to come. Then they turn to the next victim and start the cycle over again. However, they in this opposite scenario are a nursing major or maybe a business major, and this is what the interrogator sinks their teeth into—something of substance. Suddenly the warm yet cold smile you were met with earlier becomes animated and a forty-five minute long conversation ensues about what they want to do with their lives, why they chose their major, the salary, and what part of the career path they are on. You sit there in silence for the rest of their conversation, knowing full well you were dismissed as to not be a part of it because you couldn't possibly relate.

For me, that's the response I was met with as an Education major—disinterest, unimportance. Nothing noteworthy or incredibly ambitious. Maybe it's the same for you, those psychology majors, those zoology majors, or maybe even just history majors. Those "atypical" majors that seem small or are rare among a sea of medical, law, business and graduate school driven-careers.

But just because you aren't in the majority of your university doesn't mean you aren't ambitious. In fact, I have plans to go to graduate school, to travel, to see the world and make a lasting difference. What is important to me matters, and it matters to the world. If everyone in the world were the same boring major, we wouldn't get anywhere in life. We wouldn't improve. Because different talents are what brings different perspectives and which drives change. Just because I might not make the biggest salary doesn't necessarily mean I do any less work or that my work isn't hard. It simply just means that maybe I have different values or interests than the next person who values a monetary driven career more. Get to know me, and then maybe you can see for yourself. You may just be surprised, and maybe we can teach each other a thing or two. On that note, here's fifteen conversation carriers to ask me. Show me you care and that what I do matters.

What do you want to do with your major?

Don't assume just from their major that you already know what they want to do. They just may surprise you.

Why do you want to do that?

When in doubt, just ask why. People value different things or may see things differently than you. Starting with why will you give a glimpse on the real special individual and what matters most to them.

What made you choose that major? 

Maybe they didn't want to take the typical approach to their career field. Maybe their major just really interested them. Or maybe they had a really cool teacher who inspired them. Just ask.

What does your career path look like? 

It looks different for every major.

If you could ideally do anything with your major, what would you do? 

What kind of classes do you have to take for your major? 

I don't know about you, but I have to take a surprising number of Geography classes. It's not always what you think.

What are those classes like? Do you enjoy them?

What's the coolest experience you've had with that so far?

A large amount of majors require you to participate in internships or field based practices, and these can really impact one's decision or perspective on their major. Maybe they have experienced something really funny or truly eye opening through their experiences in their job field.

Where do you want to go after graduating? 

What does a day in your career field look like?

Did someone inspire you along your way? Did you have any mentors? 

Were you always that major?

How do you feel about...? What type of....do you want to do?

There are in fact major specific questions you can ask. Like if they are a psychology major maybe ask them what type of psychology they are interested in or what age group they want to work with. For history maybe ask them what their favorite time period is. Think specific.

Do you have any exciting internship or study abroad opportunities? 

Where do you hope to be in 15 years? What kind of impact do you want to have made?

A few Education major specific questions:

1.What age do you want to teach?

2.What subject do you want to teach? Why?

3.Did you have any teachers that inspired you?

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
man wearing white top using MacBook
Photo by Tim Gouw on Unsplash

College is super hard. Between working, studying, and having a social life, it feels like a struggle to just keep afloat.

I understand. When you feel like your drowning and there's no way to stay afloat I understand that it feels like everyone else is doing just fine. I understand all the frustration, long nights in the library, and that feeling that you want to just throw in the towel. I understand that sometimes it's too hard to get out of bed because your brain is already filled with too much information to remember. I understand because I am also feeling pretty burnt out.

Keep Reading...Show less
No Matter How Challenging School Gets, You Have To Put Your Health First — A Degree Won't Mean Anything If You're Dead
Photo by JESHOOTS.COM on Unsplash

Some of the best advice I've ever received was from my social studies teacher in sophomore year of high school. He stated, "If you don't know it at midnight, you're not going to know it for the 8 a.m. exam, so get some sleep."

It's such a simple piece of advice, but it holds so much accuracy and it's something that the majority of college students need to hear and listen to. "All-nighters" are a commonality on college campuses in order to cram in studying for an exam that is typically the next day.

Keep Reading...Show less
Featured

Warnings About College To Incoming Freshmen As Told By Gifs

College is hard, but you will make it through.

462
college just ahead sign
Wordpress

1. You will have that special "college" look to you.

2. You will feel like an adult but also feeling like a child.

3. You will have classes that are just the professor reading from their lecture slides for an hour.

4. You will need to study but also want to hang out with your friends.

5. Coffee is your best friend.

6. You don't know what you're doing 99% of the time.

7. You will procrastinate and write a paper the night before it is due.

8. Money is a mythical object.

9. It is nearly impossible to motivate yourself to go to classes during spring.

10. The food pyramid goes out the window.

11. You will have at least one stress induced breakdown a semester.

12. Most lecture classes will bore you to tears.

13. You will not like all of your professors.

14. You will try to go to the gym... but you will get too lazy at some point.

15. When you see high school students taking tours:

16. You will try to convince yourself that you can handle everything.

17. Finals week will try to kill you.

18. You won't like everyone, but you will find your best friends sooner or later.

19. You actually have to go to class.

20. Enjoy it, because you will be sad when it is all over.

Obsessive Thoughts Keep My Brain Stuck On A Loop And Me Stuck On My Couch
Photo by Annie Spratt on Unsplash

Sometimes my brain just starts turning on an idea and it doesn't want to stop.

I don't know if it is related to my anxiety, perfectionism or depression. I don't know why it happens. It's frustrating, it's painful and it stops me from functioning.

Keep Reading...Show less
girl with a hat

This is for the girls who have dealt with an emotionally, mentally, physically or verbally abusive father.

The ones who have grown up with a false lens of what love is and how relationships should be. The ones who have cried themselves to sleep wondering why he hurts you and your family so much. This is for all the girls who fall in love with broken boys that carry baggage bigger than their own, thinking it's their job to heal them because you watched your mother do the same.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments