School is an interesting thing, isn’t it? We’re expected to study something practical, because in today’s society, college is meant to secure you a job. The humanities majors don’t really fit into that box. People ask, “Do you want to teach?” as if that’s the only thing you can do with a major that isn’t business or science related. Sometimes they ask if you actually think you’re going to find a job.
I get that a lot, being a professional writing major. And yes, while I do plan on getting a job one day, I also love to write. I don’t see college as just being a road to a job. In the words of Jackson Pearce, “having an education is pretty awesome. Have you ever heard someone say ‘DAMN IT. I just know TOO MUCH. If only my knowledge wasn’t so VAST AND WELL-ROUNDED’?” (Read his amazing blog on college and being an author here.)
Honestly, he’s spot on. Part of the reason people look down on humanities majors is because they can’t see the immediate value of the degree. But isn’t the value of education enough? As writers, I hope we all see this. If you ever start to doubt your path, remember this: “a degree is a piece of paper that can be crumpled up and thrown away. An education is something no one can ever take from you.” (More Pearce, in case you were wondering.)