"Journalism will kill you, but it will keep you alive while you're at it." -Horace Greeley
Hearing "what do you plan to major in?" was an expected thing especially when you're a senior in high school. As the time was near of graduation, I felt pressured because everyone around me knew what college they wanted to go to and what they planned to do with the rest of their lives while I couldn't even figure out what I wanted to eat for dinner. As graduation approached, I finally decided on what university I would be attending and I figured my best bet would be to go into my first year of college as undecided.
"So Sesa, what is your major?" the girl next to me in my college English class asked the first day of classes. I quickly replied with, "Accounting!" Then I thought to myself, "really Sesa? You don't even like Accounting." Then, I realized that I was almost embarrassed to say that I didn't have a major picked out because I felt like an alien compared to everyone else.
The more classes I took, I started to realize what I enjoyed: teaching, writing, fashion, and people. So what would I do with all of these different things and somehow pick one for a major? I honestly had no idea so my first instinct was to ask my parents. Assuming they would help me decide, they did the complete opposite but reply with "it's your choice and your life, it's up to you."
As October of my freshman year rolled around, I was becoming anxious and impatient because I couldn't decide. I just hated the fact that I didn't have a major picked out yet. The constant "what's your major?" question kept on coming and the random majors just kept leaving my mouth to where I started to become frustrated with myself.
This frustration led me to start writing a lot, and when I say a lot I mean at least 10 times a day. I grew to have such a passion for it that I began writing short stories and poems, which then led me to apply for Odyssey. Odyssey was my big break to getting my name known and my articles out in the loops of social media, as well as sharing my stories with people who could relate to what I have been through or was feeling. So this was it, I finally, after years of not knowing what I wanted to major in I had figured it out: Journalism.
I had passion in my heart to be a writer, while others had doubts in their mind when I expressed to them what I was majoring in.
"So Sesa, what is your major?" I heard repeatedly after eventually knowing my major. With excitement, I would reply with "Journalism" waiting to see what their reaction would be this time. There has been times when I would be having a long conversation with someone and the question would come up but when I answered it, they looked at me like I was absolutely out of mind or that I wasn't good enough. Here we go again, I thought. The constant let down I saw in their facial expressions or the confusion. The next comment would be "Well what do you plan to do with it?" What do I plan to do with it? What do people plan to do with a Secondary Education major or a Exercise Science major? I plan to become successful, find happiness, and change the world just like everyone else.
Every time I explain my major and my goals to achieve dealing with journalism, it's like I am talking to my high school guidance counselor all over again. Obviously, there are students out there who are going into Pre-Med or Law School because they know where the money will be years down the road but that's not the path I took or the path I am taking. For some, my major is frowned upon apparently.
I am sure while reading this, you're probably wondering what exactly I am going to do with my major and you know what? I am asking myself the same question but, one thing is for sure and it is that I have never been passionate about something the way I am about informing others and expressing who I am within writing. Could I get into nursing school? Absolutely. Could I be a lawyer if I really wanted to? Without a doubt. I am not settling, I am not picking the easier route; I am choosing something that I know won't make me miserable for the rest of my life. I want a career I am going to wake up in the morning and bounce out of bed because I am joyful to get ready for work.
I have heard the "well how are you going to support a family?" or "you better marry a rich husband." I will marry success before I marry a man based on his income.
Some people are really great with numbers making them want to major in Accounting. Some people are really great with children making them want to major in Education. Some people are really great with gathering and creating words and information for different things making them want to major in Journalism; like me. While creating things to write about that I and others care about or presenting ideas to groups of individuals, I have realized I have a step ahead of most who haven't focused on communication like I have. During my public speaking class my freshman year of college, it was brought to my attention that I had a way to connect with the people surrounding me which was a step in the right direction to becoming a good student in that class-- also pushing me towards becoming a Journalism major.
Certain people are passionate about studying the human body or maybe how to perform open heart surgery, which is something that is absolutely beautiful to me. On the other hand, being passionate about writing and speaking is not considered beautiful or inspiring the way it was back in the day. Because my major isn't promised an enormous salary, it is labeled as useless or a waste of time. Knowing that people view what I am passionate about as a waste of time confuses me in many ways than just one. I would rather live my life with new ideas, discoveries, and always on edge about the latest things happening in the world than trading it for something more impressive to meet this world's standards. Whether you want to be an artists, hairstylist, lawyer, garbage man, etc. every single individual is a genius in their own unique way. Working to better yourself and working for something you are passionate about is not useless.
Don't hide your creative genius that is dying to get out and never let people's negative comments keep you from doing what you love. Don't pressure yourself to take pointless classes that you will hate for a job that someday you will also hate. If you are passionate about your major, the degree you earn will not be useless-- instead it will take you as far as your faith will allow you to go with it. Become too successful that society will feel ridiculous for doubting that you couldn't buy that Range Rover, that you couldn't support a family on your own, or that you didn't have to marry that rich husband to have money. The next time you want to judge my Journalism major and how "useless" it is, know that I am also judging your grammar and ignorance.
What is the truth about useless majors? They do not exist.
