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What Will You Do With Your Useless Degree? (A True Story)






My adolescence was unique. I went to an International Baccalaureate high school, but stayed clear of the advanced program. The main reason was because I hated math. I didn't see a point in it, it was stressful, and the sight of formulas and shapes made me squirm in revulsion. Many kids detest math, but my IB school prided itself in its advanced mathematics and science programs. There is nothing wrong with that. We need experts in STEM subjects in the world in order to progress modern society. However, all other aspects of academia, like literature and art (my two favourite hobbies) were cast into the shadows as useless and taboo subjects.

Some of my classmates weren't that nice to me, either. As the editor-in-chief of the high school newspaper for an unprecedented two consecutive years, I did not make the "cool" list among my peers. Not because I was "geeky," but because I liked... liberal arts. I would get passing comments like, "have fun working at McDonald's all your life," and "no one reads newspapers anymore; it's a waste of time." Looking back at my yearbook, the "signatures" section was littered with fond inside jokes, but also with more than five scribbled notes saying "lol u suck at math." I felt as if my passion for writing, poetry, and literature was ridiculed, and even embarrassing.

Things did not get better in university. I did a double major in English and pre-law. The only reason I even did pre-law was due to my overwhelming anxiety about the future: what would I do with a liberal arts degree? I thought I could only succeed as a lawyer. This is because for a large portion of my academic life, my peers had me convinced that you could only be successful and make money if you were an engineer, a lawyer, a doctor, or held a prestigious job in finance or accounting. I dated a few guys who were engineering students during undergrad, and they shamed me for my English degree. One even told me that if he ever had a kid who wanted to be a liberal arts major, he would beat him. I was repulsed by the macho and egotistical attitude of a lot of engineering students that I met, and the relationships were always brief.

Anyway, I did not end up going to law school. The tremendous effort, money, and time that it would take to complete the degree was not worth it for me. Law wasn't my passion. I like writing poetry. I have hundreds of original poems published on this blog alone. I've written a number of articles for newspapers and online journals. I write short stories in my spare time. I read novels, biographies, and murder mysteries. This is who I am and what I like, and I am learning to accept it. A part of me almost wishes that I didn't have such a strong inclination towards the humanities. As a feminist, I would love seeing more women being involved in STEM subjects; but I cannot be one of them, as I would be very miserable working as a computer programmer, and a very impatient one.

After taking a one year course for teaching English in college, I opened up my eyes to reality. To all the jobs and careers and wonderful people that make up the backbone of our society. Walking through the halls of the school, I pass by the wonderful smell of freshly baked pastry in the gastronomy department. I line up for Tim Horton's during my lunch break, waiting behind a few students in ponytails and nursing scrubs. I peer into the school spa, where massage therapists-in-training learn to practice their craft. My favourite part of the school is a large public display from the fashion department. Students work to put together a unique fashion theme, this month's being "stay at home mom." The mannequins are contorted to look like they're holding homemade pies, and the dresses they wear look like they're from the 1950's, with bold patterns and bright canary yellow hues.

University helped me to be a better thinker, but college helped me land a career. The world would be a dull place if it were filled with just engineers and accountants. I am proud to say that I am now an English professor at a college, as I feel like this is where I have always wanted to be. And no one can tell me otherwise.

Image source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aoqqoPMvtjk

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