Over the past few decades, the concept of majoring or entering a STEM field has always been applauded for its rigorous coursework. The STEM field consists of many topics within science, technology, engineering and math which are often considered more challenging than other majors because it leans towards scientific research and mathematics skills.
The “complete opposite” of STEM is considered to be the humanities. In these majors, many students pursue English literature, philosophy, languages, art, political science and sociology. Because these majors are very much “thought-based” and rely on interpretation rather than data and statistics, they are sometimes considered easier.
There is a fundamental sense of superiority that STEM majors feel since there seems to be a sense of rigor due to the discipline needed to study and succeed. Despite inherent differences between the fields, no superiority should be given to a major because ultimately, every job in the workforce is needed to help sustain and fulfill life.
As societal pressure has increased, many more students pursue the STEM field, expecting better results from peers and in life. Additionally, many students seem to focus on what a STEM major will give them regarding finance. On average, a STEM major makes 126,925 dollars each year and has an overall higher salary compared to other jobs, according to ZipRecruiter. By merely focusing on the “money” aspect, many students are unexpectedly surprised when they must face the difficult tasks the STEM field provides and now must find ways to manage this newfound stress. This creates unhealthy expectations as students may be following this field because of its high income or just to prove a point of being “smarter.”
In fact, Adriana Barrios, a writer for the University of California San Diego, states “In 2016, 57 percent of the UC San Diego undergraduates enrolled were majoring in a Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics field with 25 percent of freshmen declaring Biology. By Oct., there were only 268 Literature majors, compared to nearly 2,000 Computer Science and Engineering.”
If more people plan to pursue one singular area of study, the balance of jobs will be challenged. The influence of “being the best” has reached a point where it has become an unhealthy mindset. Students may be pursuing a STEM major to please someone’s satisfaction and not their own.
Elaina Provencio, a University of Berkeley Media and English graduate, explains that “the job market is being exported, and in this modern-industrial age there is a societal pressure to keep up, to have a skill in the STEM realm.”
Being skilled in STEM does not necessarily mean you are the most superior, because all majors play an important role in life. STEM careers help advance human life by finding new discoveries, improving technology, improving medicine and ensuring a healthy future. The Humanities major explores how culture is expressed and how humans interact with each other.
Connection is critical to succeed in life. Having no connection with others creates a bland and dull life and having no advancement can lead to a more physically dangerous life. When both STEM and humanities are combined, they provide an interesting, exciting, and important system.
Overall, STEM majors have a different type of rigor but no amount of “extra” superiority. At times, STEM should be acknowledged more since the STEM field is difficult in its own right. Nonetheless, all majors represent a path in life and expresses what humans depend on to thrive, live, and succeed. Each major is like a puzzle piece, all of them are needed to create the ultimate picture, a fulfilled life for everyone.
