Have you ever heard the following joke? A graduate with a science degree asks, “Why does it work?”A graduate with an engineering degree asks, "How does it work?"A graduate with an accounting degree asks, "How much does it cost?" And a graduate with a liberal arts degree asks, "Do you want fries with that?"
Even if you haven’t heard that joke, there’s certainly a stigma that comes with a liberal arts degree nowadays. Unfortunately, the deeper issue lies not only in liberal arts degrees, but within all degrees. Society has created this concept of a “best” major and/or the “best” degrees — be it that science degrees are “harder” or “more applicable” or whatever generalization you’ve heard.
According to the National Association of Colleges and Employers’ (NACE) Job Outlook 2010, employers are currently looking for graduates with degrees in finance, accounting, mechanical engineering, business administration or management and electrical engineering. The Princeton Review placed business administration and management/commerce as No. 1 on its Top 10 College Majors list. That’s right, rub it in W.P. Carey.
This “best degree” theory is not only found in sources such as the U.S. News & World Report and The Princeton Review rankings. People tend to respond strangely and awkwardly when they hear someone is an English major, or worse, a writing major. As a journalism student, the responses I receive vary, but my friend majoring in chemistry is always praised with “Oh, good for you,” and “You must be smart.”
So why the discrepancy? Most often, math and science majors have a higher value placed on them than others. But does this mean that because I’d rather become an artist than a medical student I will not be successful? Or that I’m not smart? Sources base their rankings mostly on projected salary. But does a smaller starting salary mean I chose the wrong major? Some students will tell you that it depends on what you value.
“I believe the best major is the one an individual chooses because they will love it and have a great passion for it,” said exercise and wellness sophomore Jazmine Clifton.
The “best” major or degree is whatever most closely matches what’s in your heart. Being successful and financially stable after college is important, but it’s not the degree that guarantees this — it’s you. Making the most of whatever major you choose is the key. For nursing majors, it could be volunteering at a hospital. Criminal justice majors can shadow a lawyer. Internships, community service, getting involved and networking are all vital to your success — not just a degree.
Students must block out all the social biases. You’re only going to give your best effort to the things you desire. Being successful, no matter the degree, requires that type of effort. So, don’t allow anyone, or anything, define what is best for your future but you.
Tell Shala your best major story at smmarks3@asu.edu.
