I am an art major. To be more specific, I am a professional photography major.
Around ten years ago, I told myself I would become a photographer when I got older and I never looked back. When it was time to apply to college, I proudly marked “Fine Arts” on every application.
Many of my friends and even some family members told me I was making the worst mistake of my life and that I should pick a job where I would actually make money. I can still hear the snickering and jokes that were mumbled under people’s breath when I introduced myself on my first day of college.
What no one expected is that I would take that doubt as fuel to push myself and prove everyone wrong. Any time that I feel self-doubt or not confident in my work, I focus on the fact that I did not make it this far on accident and no one else can take credit for my success.
I chose to go to college for what some people would call a “useless degree” multiple reasons.
The first is that while you certainly can be a successful photographer without a degree, it is much harder to get your foot in the door without the proper connections. College is a great opportunity to build lifelong friendships as well as the chance to network with the right people that could end up being life changing.
The second reason is that college is not just for academics. Sure, we are all here for degrees, but we leave with much more than that.
When we arrived, most of us were wide-eyed and terrified of everything, the first time many of us were on our own. It was the first time most of us had to be entirely responsible for ourselves, whether it be with getting to class on time, keeping up with our busy schedules or something as easily forgettable as eating three good meals a day.
College teaches us how to be adults who can function in the real world and how to tackle obstacles without falling back on our parents.
The last and, in my opinion, the most important reason is my small (but strong) support system back home.
I come from a family where a college degree is a rarity and I will be the first person on my dad’s side to receive a college degree. My parents have always been my number one cheerleaders in everything I do and have shown me from a young age that no matter what I decide to do in life, they will support me 100 percent of the way.
My parents have never pushed me to be a doctor or a lawyer. As long as I am happy doing something that I love, they are happy and proud of me. I know that this is not always the case and I am extremely lucky to have them.
I am okay knowing I won’t make the most money when compared to other majors. I am okay knowing that I might not change the world. I am okay knowing there are people waiting to say “I told you so.”
Life is short. If I can live the rest of my life getting paid to follow my dreams and doing what I love, then that “useless degree” will have been worth it.
I am proud to be an art major and I wouldn’t change it for the world.