Liberal arts matter

By Laine Weatherford

I’m a writer by major, and eventually by trade. It’s who I am. I know deeply that this is the talent I am supposed to use to help change the world. The world doesn’t always see my capacity to affect it through writing, however. When I tell people I’m an English/writing major, I’m typically faced with one of two responses. “I’m sorry,” or “What are you going to do with that?”

I’ve become accustomed to these responses, rather than offended. It happened often enough that I began to consider where that attitude comes from. To be fair, English is not a one-track major. If my major were mechanical engineering, I would become an engineer immediately after graduation. Nursing majors become nurses. Education majors become teachers: easy, simple, to the point. English is different. That can be confusing, and understandably so.

So, what exactly does an English major do? I’ll tell you: whatever he or she wants. We have a few obvious options upon graduation: teaching, publishing, writing, journalism, and law school. Those are the basics, but the great thing about English is its versatility.

You can take another interest that you have and use your skill as a clear communicator to get in the door. Your career options are limited only by your creativity and your willingness to plan ahead. English is not a one-track major, and in that lies its strength.

My experience is not unique. So many liberal arts majors run into the same prejudices daily. So let me be abundantly clear: versatility is not synonymous with irrelevance. All fields of study have the potential to positively impact the world, whether or not you know immediately how they will earn a paycheck after graduation. We might not make millions practicing our skills, but paychecks are not the ultimate determiners of value.

The world needs your passions as much as it needs mine. Art, history and communication – these disciplines are just as capable of positively impacting the world as any science, technology, engineering or math major, albeit through a slightly different process. We are a world in desperate need of a generation ready to creatively pursue progress – in a variety of venues.

I think a little mutual respect and understanding is in order. The liberal arts play an irreplaceable role in our society, just as other fields do. The world needs us all in one way or another. So, by all means ask me what I’m going to do after graduation, but please take the time to actually listen to the answer.

Laine Weatherford is a sophomore at Oklahoma Christian University.

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