“It’s ridiculous to ask a liberal arts student what they plan to do in five years. They don’t even know what they plan to have for dinner.”
– Anonymous Career Counselor
Have you ever had someone react to your choice of major with an exclamation of “You majored in what??” First, that is upsetting, because you chose your major because of your interest in that field. Naturally you will feel defensive. Second, they are responding to the belief that there is a linear connection between major and career, and that your degree equals your earning power.
Katherine Brooks Ed.D. wrote a practical and creative guide: You Majored in What? Designing Your Path from College to Career. She lists a series of questions that demonstrate linear thinking about careers:
“My major equals my career.”
“I can’t do much with a liberal arts degree.”
“I guess I should go to grad school or law school.”
“Career tests will tell me what to do.”
“Career Counselors will tell me what to do.”
“I should know what I want to do before starting my job search.”
“I should wait until I graduate to start my job search.”
Dr. Brooks has a chapter entitled “How College Students Really Find Jobs.” She cites a story about a psychology major who, at 18, thought she would become a clinical psychologist or professor. Yet, she also liked her anthropology class. Subsequently, she obtained an internship at a museum and helped create an exhibit on Native American art. You see where this is going. From this internship and networking, she is in her first position after college fundraising for a Native American exhibit for the Smithsonian!!!
This is just one example of how careers develop. Learn more about Chaos Theory, Mental Wanderings, Why Settle for One Career When You Can Have Ten, and much more. Immerse yourself in the book and follow the advice of Dr. Brooks. I would be happy to discuss it with you!
Schedule your free 30 minute consultation with me today.
