It’s not easy being a Humanities major at Emory
Because it’s STEM or nothing
We’re a pretty success-driven bunch here at Emory. Between B-school students trying to shave 2 seconds off their Highland Bakery order time and pre-med students fielding all their friends’ weird medical questions (they probably won’t know what that rash is until March), we all strive to become the best in our respective fields.
And yes, that’s true of the humanities majors that you make fun of in your spare time.
We hear ‘you’ll never get a job in that!’ a LOT
As an English major, I study a lot of literature. As a result, I get a lot of “How is Chaucer supposed to get you a job?” and “Are you gonna put ‘Read poetry’ on your resume?”.
Yes, the content we study is fun and not entirely useful, but that’s not really what we’re learning about. It’s about analyzing and communicating ideas. And yes, we do find jobs.
We have a bit of an inferiority complex
I’m not gonna lie. When I hear about my friends who are studying to become doctors and engineers, it makes what I’m doing seem a little frivolous. Even the ones who are nice about it are a bit on the condescending side. “Oh no, I could never write like you do,” says your good friend, Dr. Judge Professor Johnson, “And you’re also so good at coloring books. Have another cookie.”
Yeah, nothing I ever write is going to cure cancer or defend someone who feels wronged by the justice system, but it could make someone’s day better. Or maybe it actually will defend someone who feels wronged by the justice system.
What I’m saying is….I’m after Sarah Koenig’s job.
We work harder than you’d think
If I told you how much I had to write this weekend, you would cry. You would call me just to see if I’m alright. You would start a foundation for me.
“For just pennies a day, you can help this mathematically-challenged youth finish a 15-page paper 3 hours before class starts.”
We actually do drink a lot of coffee
This is one of the few stereotypes I’ll readily accept as true. There’s no other way to complete the 100 pages of reading a night for each class.
I fear if I stop drinking coffee, my heart rate will go down to a dangerously normal level and I won’t be able to read Great Expectations in a satisfactory manner (i.e. be awake while I’m staring at it).
I’m just grateful I’m not classics major, because that may require an espresso IV.
We aren’t in it because it’s ‘easy’
“Wow! You’re an English major? I wish I could do that! That sounds so much fun!” It can be fun, but my life isn’t just one expensive book club. A lot of the time, it consists of analysis, research, arguing, and just putting your nose to the grindstone to finish a lot of boring stuff (see my previous comment on Great Expectations).
We chose our majors for the same reason you did. Not because it was easy, but because we were passionate about the topic. (Though, I do find it difficult to believe that people get that amped up about math, but I once got in a heated argument over the symbolism of pants in a book, so I’m not one to judge).
We want to make a difference too
It’s easy to think that a degree in the humanities or arts will lead to a self-serving life of contemplation on the streets of an unfamiliar European city, which is tragically cut short when we forget to get a job and buy food. This is, of course, not the reality. Take junior Andrea Echols, for example, who is majoring in history and theatre.
She said: “I chose theater because I really love acting and history because he moment I saw Schindler’s List I wanted to learn more about the Holocaust and other human rights issues in history.”
Art impacts our lives more than we give it credit for, and the humanities are a way to continue the inspiration for future generations.
See? We’re a pretty useful, awesome bunch. So maybe the next time you see a Humanities major, hold back the snide comment. Maybe ask them a few questions about their field of study.
And definitely buy them lunch. Especially if they look like (and are) me.