By Caleb Hogland
Staff Writer
Have you chosen a major yet? It’s kind of important.
When we were preparing to leave high school, we were all told to think about a career. We were supposed to know what career we would want for the rest of our lives. But the first step in getting to that final life-changing career is to decide on a major. You know, that one area of study you are about to spend the next four years of your life focusing on.
In order to decide your major, you have to think about what you want. So what is it? What are you the most interested in? Is money your driving factor or is it something else?
The major I have chosen is Literature and Writing, and if you’re wondering, yes, it is the best major you can choose.
Sure, you can ask what good is it knowing about Hemingway, T.S. Eliot or everyone’s favorite, William Shakespeare. But there is much more to it than knowing old and outdated writers and literary works.
Literature and Writing is called literary arts because it is in fact an art. People often think of art as paintings and music and forget that writing is one also. It is quite possibly the most powerful and moving art form of all. Writing is an art where anyone can learn how to express themselves.
Not only is it a form of expression, but it is just as importantly a technique of exploration. Exploration through writing brings forth all your thoughts, subconscious and conscious, into one profound moment of expression and meaning. We all have beliefs, but how do you truly know and understand what you believe unless you have thoroughly thought it out?
Writing will help you explore not just who you are, but why you are. Through writing you can better understand all topics that present themselves. Issues of ethics, beauty, economics, government, war, religion and politics can all be understood once you have written about them.
The next time you think about saying “I don’t know” to a tough question about something going on in the world, go write about it. You will find out that you actually do know more than you think.
If it turns out you really just want a good, well-paying job, and who doesn’t, a major focused on writing is still the way to go. I once heard a CEO say, “Give me someone who can write and I can work with them. Give me someone who can effectively communicate complicated ideas and I will give you someone who will get promoted.”
Even one of our very own CSUSM professors said that “when you turn in your resume with your cover letter, they do not see you. They only see your writing.”
If you’re still doubting the relevance of writing, consider this: Last year Forbes, one of the leading magazines and websites on information about the world’s business leaders, did a study on the top ten most desirable skills that would get you hired. Of that ten, the top four are closely tied to writing. Forbes did say the major that’s “most worth your tuition” is biomedical engineering. But if that’s not what you’re into, and you still don’t know what you’re doing at CSUSM, I would suggest Literature and Writing.
Plus, if the economy goes downhill you can always travel anywhere in the world and teach English. So what major are you working on for this chunk of your life? Consider Literature and Writing.