You want to major in what?

Every parent has that moment of panic when their kid comes home from school with the news that they’ve decided to major in philosophy. Even the most supportive of parents might face some newly sprouted gray hairs when you announce that you will be pursuing a degree in the liberal arts.

My parents are, as far as parents go, saintly. When I first announced that I’d be studying English literature, they commended me on my choice to study what I was passionate about, followed by a “just think about the job search after college”-esque warning. Now that I am two years into my degree, they couldn’t be happier about my academic choices.

It is important to consider the financial impact majoring in anything liberal arts-related will be. With the less-than-satisfactory job market out there, personal passions sometimes have to take a backseat to a degree that will get you a job after four-plus years.

But you know what? As bad as the economy might be, you should always pursue what you are passionate about. If making a lot of money is what you want to do, there will always be opportunities to do so.

Then again, liberal arts is a pretty broad area of study. Historically speaking, liberal arts subjects were considered essential for a free person to master in order to acquire qualities that would distinguish a free person from a slave. While that definition does not apply to most contemporary societies anymore, a basic understanding of the liberal arts is a large part of thinking critically and analytically.

Literature, language, philosophy, history, mathematics, psychology and the various sciences all fall under the term “liberal arts.” All of these subjects work together to provide a well-rounded educational experience. So, in all honesty, if studying something involved with liberal arts is what you want to do, then you will be fine.

As far as careers go, what are the most popular jobs right now? Teaching, engineering, law and medicinal practices are all highly desirable occupations. Even better, they all have strong backgrounds in the liberal arts and sciences.

Law schools love getting applications from students majoring in psychology, history, English and philosophy (see, you can use that degree!). At the same time, medical schools generally prefer applicants to have a degree based in the sciences, but as long as the basic pre-med requirements are taken care of, most schools appreciate the variety in their student body.

When I think about what use my English degree will be after college is over, I sometimes question both my decisions and my sanity. Then I remember that having a college education already gives me a heads up.

While I am planning on going to graduate school after my initial degree is finished, I remember that I have a lot of options. With an English degree, I am eligible to go on and become an educator at the high school or university level, apply for law school, seek a job in the world of publishing or journalism or, if nothing else, work as a barista at Starbucks while I write my novel or screenplay. In all honesty, finding a job that might actually utilize my degree will probably prove to be a challenge unless I decide to go on and become a teacher.

That thought has crossed my mind more often than I care to admit. But you know what? Oh well. I am passionate about my area of study, and having a background in the liberal arts is helping me become a critical thinker, which is a very applicable skill.

Nearly everything pertaining to the skills acquired as an English major can coincide with other majors falling into the liberal arts. While not everyone feels like they have the privilege to base their major on passion over sensibility, the beauty of a college education is that you get to choose.

There is that age-old cliché that states if you are truly passionate about something, success will follow. That’s not true in every single case, but you can glean from that what you want. A college education is what you make of it; if you work hard and enjoy what you do, you will find yourself happier. After all, no one is more responsible for your personal happiness than you.

If money is the biggest drawback to pursuing or finishing a degree in one of the liberal arts, just remember that almost everyone graduates college with at least some debt. While that is not the happiest of thoughts, it’s the true state of things right now. The U.S. is a lot less friendly toward its college students than other countries; never mind its constant “support the next generation” banter.

Paying for college sucks, there’s no denying it. But in our American society, that’s the reality of it right now. Maybe someday getting an education in the liberal arts will be more affordable. Let’s stay hopeful, at least.

As awful as our college economic climate may be, it should not be the one thing holding us back from pursuing degrees in areas we’re passionate about.

I’ll be completing my degree on time with a somewhat distressing amount of student debt. While paying off loans is not what I want to think about right after getting a well-deserved degree, that can’t really be helped. What I am looking forward to is all of my hard work, passion and acquired critical-thinking skills coming together in the physical form of my diploma. Even if I don’t end up becoming a famous writer or literary critic, I will have finished something I set out to do— and that’s worth more to me than almost anything else.

The same logic can be applied to any other area of study. Just because you won’t generally get paid to sit around and philosophize all day doesn’t mean you shouldn’t major in philosophy. And just because you won’t be the next Indiana Jones doesn’t mean you shouldn’t pursue a history or archaeology degree.

Do what you love and what will make you happy, even if it doesn’t guarantee immediate success. That’s what I’m doing, and I haven’t regretted it yet. Besides, Starbucks is always hiring new baristas. ■