Selecting a major in subjects like philosophy can come into conflict with career choices
By Megan Osborn
When junior Philip Orazio came to college, he faced a choice: To act or not to act.
Although Orazio had been passionately involved in the theatre throughout high school, he questioned whether it was practical to pursue drama in college.
Instead of abandoning it altogether, however, he compromised by double majoring in drama and political science.
"I added political science basically for a level of practicality; acting doesn't exactly rake in the big bucks," Orazio said. "I have always been interested in politics, and there's not that big of a difference between politicians and actors."
Orazio faced the question that all college students face: What do I major in?
Sometimes the decision is easy. Some students have known from the time they were building skyscrapers with Legos that they wanted to be an engineer. And since that pays well, it seems to be an easy choice.
Other times, the decision can be a lengthy and grueling process, balancing the metric of passion and paycheck.
Students who ponder majoring in subjects that do not come with a career trajectory attached to them are often confronted with the question: Is it worth it?
Professors from various departments at UP are on a constant crusade to dispel assumptions about their subjects that are sometimes labeled impractical, like the kinds of majors that inspire squawks from parents asking "And what are you going to do with that?"
Philosophy professor Jeffery Gauthier remembers his parents asking that very same question when he decided to major in philosophy. However, he believes the lack of a career direction may give philosophy a different edge.
"If a business degree did not land you a job, a lot people wouldn't major in it," Gauthier said. "Students study philosophy even though there is no job attached."
He points out that when students graduate and start looking for jobs, showing an employer you have passion about anything can help.
"People don't want to hire someone who had just skills and no passion," Gauthier said.
Many students major in subjects because they are passionate about the material. Senior CJ Graves is an English and psychology double major nearing graduation.
"I've taken most of my classes because they looked interesting," Graves said. "I guess that's not very practical."
English professor Cara Hersh agrees with Gauthier that passion is crucial. She says that most of her students who became English majors have always liked to read.
She disagrees, however, with the notion that an English major or other non-career oriented majors are at a disadvantage in the workplace.
"I don't think you're limited at all - you have the skills to go out and do whatever you want," Hersh said.
Hersh emphasizes that the skill of writing well is vital to any job.
She also points out that in the reality of the workplace, many people do not end up in jobs directly related to their major.
"Most people I know don't have clear-cut jobs; they do things you don't imagine doing but can be really fulfilling," Hersh said.
Communication studies professor Bohn Lattin is confident that his students will be successful in the job market.
"If you talk to people who hire university graduates, they say they want them to have the ability to communicate orally and write well," Lattin said. "Communications grads will have that skill set."
Lattin can back up his talk. He gives plenty of examples of UP communication studies majors that have gone on to be find success in the workplace, like Eric Chambers, Deputy Mayor of Gresham.
Others include Scott Hadley, who helped to invent a new type of crutch for people with cerebral palsy, and Joey Womack, who is now an executive at Fulcrum, a non-profit organization that supports funding for education.
Theology professor Michael Cameron emphasizes that theology majors acquire skills that make them successful in law school.
"They love people who major in theology because they know how to think," Cameron said.
History professor Christin Hancock explains that history majors are drawn to a wide variety of careers in fields such as law, the Foreign Service and education. One of the students she remembers became an archivist for the New York Public Library.
As far as the job market is concerned, junior Matthew Duncan, a philosophy major, thinks he will not be any worse off than any other major in light of the economic crisis.
"No one is assured of anything right now," Duncan said.
While hard economic times make the job market a scary place, many students are deviating from diving straight into careers after graduation.
Graves plans to go to law school after graduation. Orazio believes that law school may be a good path for him as well.
Junior history and German major Annmarie Medrzycki is not worried about her future either.
She is interested in pursuing anthropology in graduate studies, and contemplates teaching someday. But for now, she enjoys the prospect of freedom.
"I plan on have adventures for the next six years or so," Medrzycki said. "I am open to whatever the world has to offer me."
