<p>It used to really annoy me when my relatives would ask me what I'm studying and ultimately criticize me for picking a field of study they don't approve of. Over Christmas break, I got a chance to see all of my relatives in a really long time and one of my uncles kept criticizing me for picking majors like Communication and Art History, saying "So, what happens if you don't get a job after that? Go back to school, waste more money, or major in something like Journalism or English?" It made me mad when he said that because I respect those majors and have considered majoring in them, as well. He just assumed that I have no plan with my degrees and that I'm just doing it because it's "fun." </p>
<p>Yes and no.</p>
<p>I enjoy studying whatever I study because it's both fun and challenging. I almost hate talking about school or my career plans with many of my family members because they really have nothing positive to say about it. And if I decide to not discuss it with them, they just criticize me more for not "having a plan," which, again, is not true. It doesn't really bother me now because I'm getting internships and made some great connection, but it kind of irks me whenever they have something negative to say. By the way, it doesn't really have to be from your relatives, but in general. Do certain people treat you differently because of your academic choices?</p>
<p>I can relate. When I was undecided they all thought I was just in it for fun, and wasting money. Then when I decided to transfer for a major, and better chances at getting into DPT program they didn’t understand. </p>
<p>In high school, and now I am getting compared to my cousins by my grandparents for courses, and universities. It was horrible, and still is. I took a lighter course load in high school (medical reasons), and when I did take harder courses I would get snide remarks about how my grades aren’t all A’s. I told my parents in high school, and still do that I hate when my grandparents do it but my mother won’t say anything since it isn’t her parents. My dad just doesn’t have the guts to stand up to his mother, or father.</p>
<p>All I can say is find someone who is willing to listen that does care. I try to avoid talking about it, but like you mentioned it still finds it way up in discussion even if you aren’t in the discussion.I talk to friends but I would really like my parents to say something because I know if I do then my grandparents will be angry at me. It can be hard having to prove yourself to people who should have your back. Best of luck in whatever field you decided you want to get into.</p>
<p>I think I may be one of those people who don’t say anything when people say they are majoring or are going to major in something like Art History or Fine Arts, but I don’t really respect it in my mind. Although I’d like to think that we can all have our free thoughts as long as they aren’t said out loud.</p>
<p>yeah, I know what you mean. And it’s okay if people don’t necessarily respect it, but it’s just obnoxious of those who step all over others who they look down upon.</p>
<p>Well thankfully nobody has ever criticized it, but if they did I’d shrug it off. If they kept on doing it, I’d ask them what they majored in so that I know to never pick it since it’ll obviously lead me to an empty existence that forces me to put down others in order to feel anything ;)</p>
<p>One side of the family was a little dismissive because it’s not a science major (and everybody on that side that goes to college majors in science or business), but the other side hasn’t said anything- mostly because my cousin was also a history major and he’s done quite well for himself…so I suppose they assume I’m going to follow the same path.</p>
<p>People in my family are just excited that I graduated high school. (Second in first four grandchildren, despite being the youngest of those four, probably going to be the last or second to last out of 11 grand-kids.)</p>
<p>Going to college for French and Theatre? That’s all just fluffy, non-necessary education and means at the very least that I won’t have a career flipping burgers or working in a convenient store.</p>
<p>If people don’t approve of your education choices, then that’s their problem. It’s your life. You do what you want with it. There are a lot worse things in life than deciding to get a solid education in a subject you enjoy.</p>
<p>But seriously. Both of my aunts were Home Economics majors in college. That’s like the most ‘useless’ sounding degree ever and one ended up being the Vice President of an energy company while the other ended up teaching middle school science. Your major of field does not necessarily determine your career field.</p>
<p>well every one in my fam and their friends love that im doing pre-med to become a doctor. but it annoys me because I know that if i wanted to do anything other than become a lawyer/doctor/engineer, i would be ridiculed soooo badly .</p>
<p>My family doesn’t criticize my major (English) because I think they realize that A) I want to double major with English and either Psychology or Gender Studies and B) it’s extremely clear that I was meant to be an English major.</p>
<p>I did, however, receive some condenscending facebook messages from a old friend of mine, who wanted to major in animal studies or something of that nature. He, as a good engineer major, told her that her major was useless. I attempted to joke that my friend could join me and double major in English, to which he responded by saying that I would be poor for the rest of my life. </p>
<p>Now, I know that English majors don’t exactly have the highest salaries, so I told him that I was ok with that. I’d rather do something I love then be a millionaire in something I can’t stand. He responded that I would be living “in mediocrity” as a “professor who makes 40,000 a year” and that I should become a science, engineering, or math major. I refused, saying that I can’t stand math or science.</p>
<p>His response? “Practice and study them more and then you’ll like it.”</p>
<p>Sorry, I should clear it up. My friend wanted to be an animal studies major, while her friend wanted to be the engineer major. I didn’t realize that my wording was funky until now…</p>
<p>But yeah. Needless to say, I refused to talk to him after this. I mean, I have a friend who wants to be a premed and a business major (I think), but she said it’s because she’s passionate about what she wants to do with her education. According to her, she wants to create her own psychiatry office someday because that’s what she loves… helping people.</p>
<p>Anytime you have a family gathering and see relatives/friends you haven’t seen in a long time, there will probably be a few know-it-alls who tend to lack tact and make opinionated statements. I would suggest you take the high road and either ignore crass remarks or reply that you ‘enjoy what you are doing’. That really isn’t the time/place to have a serious discussion about such things with people who are most likely have no idea what they are talking about.</p>
<p>I took some heat from my dad. He used to be completely anti-business major. He said it’s useless because it’s all theory and information. Being an engineer, it doesn’t surprise me that he has this point of view. However, I’m also a math/science guy. I’m more hands on and like the ability to physically do things. However, business excites me, and that’s why I’m here.</p>
<p>I have the funny position of having “hippy” parents, so because I want to be a computer engineer, instead of “helping like, trees, man”, I am scorned.</p>
<p>My D2 hates getting “the school question” over holiday breaks. Our family is OK with her choices but some friends are often appalled that she is going to an art college. I tell her to say things like, “I learned how to use an acetylene torch this semester? Can I demonstrate on your car?”. Maybe that will keep the conversation on the weather or the food, where it belongs!</p>