“What are you really going to do?”
“So, a future at McDonalds?”
“No studying, then? You must have so much time for clubs!”
These are all phrases that I’m no stranger to. I love my school, but as an institution renowned for its outstanding STEM programs, I often feel out of place as soon as I reveal my majors: theater and comparative literature.
The Humanities and Social Sciences programs at Cal are outstanding — the english, psychology, and history programs are consistently ranked No. 1 in the country, but this is often discounted. The higher paying and more scientific fields, such as computer science and engineering, are usually highlighted with little to no mention of the more liberal arts centered majors.
More and more each year, I feel a money mindset taking over my generation. Sometimes it feels like college is just a competition to see who can make the most money. Everything seems to revolve around yearly salaries, what’s a good market to be in, and on and on. I don’t mean to tear anyone down who thinks this way — it’s absolutely an important factor to survive in today’s society — but merely on how it’s pushed on to me as a student in a field not traditionally known for the fortune it will bring you.
Passion. Thought. Discussion. And above all, personal fulfillment and happiness. These are the things I’ve come to value in contemplating my current life and future. I know that I’m pursuing something that I love, and that keeps me going. Whatever that may be for you, be it neuroscience, anthropology, media studies, film, I implore you to follow that drive and listen to your heart.
To anyone who feels a lack of respect from your peers simply because of your area of study, cherish the excellent education and know that you don’t need to justify that choice to anyone.