Puppetry? Gerontology? Egyptology? These aren’t just words that end in a “y” — they’re all unusual majors at different colleges across the country. But even though these majors may leave you tongue-tied, don’t let that scare you off as these lesser known areas of study can lead to pretty cool careers. That’s great, but you’re probably wondering, what exactly can they be used for after graduation? HC has tracked down some of the most unusual majors in the country and the potential jobs they have to offer.
Puppetry (University of Connecticut)
Professor Frank W. Ballard first taught classes in puppetry at UConn in 1964. UConn is now one of three colleges in America to offer a BFA degree in puppet arts, and the only university in the country offering a master’s degree in the field. Puppetry majors are encouraged to put on their own productions. These productions are staged not only at the school, but also toured to schools, museums and theaters. Puppetry grads “perform and design for many theatres around the world,” according to the UConn website. “They appear in, build for and manage internally recognized television programs and films, write books, design toys, teach children and direct prominent schools and museums.”
Still don’t believe this major can take you anywhere? Consider the most famous puppetry major, Jim Henson. He made his own puppetry major at the University of Maryland and the Muppets were born.
Egyptology & Ancient Western Asian Studies (Brown University)
This exotic major offered at Brown University was “designed to explore what is sometimes called the birthplace of Western civilization,” according to Brown’s website. The department of Egyptology was founded at Brown in 1948 and in 2005 was expanded to include Ancient Western Asian Studies. There is both an undergraduate and graduate program at Brown. Students can learn about the archaeology of ancient Egypt, hieroglyphics, Egyptian literature, Egyptian history, ancient Egyptian religion and magic and more.
Students have been recognized internationally for research in astronomy, chronology and ancient calendars. They are extremely advanced in the various stages of the Egyptian language, religion and literature. Their in-depth knowledge allows them to contribute to the research of scientists, archaeologists and historians of ancient civilizations. Most jobs in this major include work in universities and museums.
Gerontology
More than 70 colleges across the country offer a gerontology major. Gerontology is the study of aging and the problems of aged persons.
James Madison University senior Katie Deskin is a gerontology minor. This is a passion she’s followed from an early age.
“Ever since the sixth grade, I have volunteered with older adults and developed a passion to help those whose needs are often neglected by society,” says Deskin. “In social work [her major] we value that every person has self-worth and should be treated with dignity, no matter your age.”
Deskin intends on using her minor to work with clients who have Alzheimer’s and dementia.
Kayla Reynolds is a nursing major and a gerontology minor at JMU who is graduating this December. She plans on using her minor and major together for her career.
“As the baby boomer population ages, more health care professionals will be needed by the gerontology area of health care,” says Reynolds. “Listening to someone’s stories and account of their life to this point in time is very fulfilling to me. Some stories that I have heard from older individuals have taught me more than I could ever learn in a textbook.”
Reynolds hopes to work in a unit in a hospital that features geriatric patients. She’s also considering working at a senior center or an older retirement community.
Equestrian/Equine Studies
Majoring in horses? It is possible. Students can take courses in training, breeding, exercising, housing and grooming horses in more than 70 colleges across the country. Homework includes massaging tense muscles of horses, properly saddling horses and properly brushing manes.
This major is reserved for students with a passion for horses. Most majors go on to own their own stables or train horses for competition. Colorado State University, Rocky Mountain College, the Savannah College of Art and Design and 70 other colleges offer this major.
Baking and Pastry Arts
Brownies 101? Close to 100 colleges in America offer the major of Baking and Pastry Arts. Students with the desire to become pastry chefs take this major. Most schools that offer Baking and Pastry Arts have courses in baking and culinary techniques as well as operations management. According to the Art Institute of Seattle, “The viability of a baker or pastry artist is dependent on whether or not they can express their talent to the public not only satisfying their hunger, but dazzling their senses.”
Those of us who enjoy warm gooey treats can definitely appreciate the importance of this major. Schools like the Art Institute of Seattle, the Art Institute of Washington and the Culinary Institute of America offer this major.
Packaging
This major was created in 1955 at Michigan State University. It has a big focus on science and mathematics with strong components in business, sociology and psychology. Students are taught to improve the function of various packaging systems and work to find solutions to complicated business problems. Graduates go on to work with supply chain management and major packaging companies. Specific packaging companies work with larger corporations to help them effectively package their product. By having a packaging company work with them, these corporations ensure their product will be effectively packaged using the least amount of materials possible. This makes packaging majors excellent candidates for post-graduate work. Michigan State University offers this major as well as other schools like the University of South Carolina and Missouri State offer the Global Supply Chain Management major.
Sources
Collegeboard.com
Michigan State University website
Kayla Reynolds, James Madison University, Class of 2011
Katie Deskin, James Madison University, Class of 2011
Brown University website
University of Connecticut
Art Institute of Seattle