10 Reasons Not to Major in Humanities

After reading the title 10 reasons not to major in Humanities, you might think that sounds a little negative towards Humanities majors. But it’s not. This is just meant to inform students about what they’ll really face if they decide on a literature, art, language, human science, religion or writing major.

These are the subjects that cover Humanities. The STEM students, choosing science, technology, engineering or math majors, are on the opposite side of the spectrum. There are of course other majors that don’t fall into these two categories, but these are the two main ones.

But it’s a long-debated subject. Who makes more money? Most statistics say that STEM majors typically make more, but that all depends on the individual situation. (Check out 11 Highest Paying Jobs With a Master’s Degree in Social Work.)

Or, maybe you’re not in it for the money. Maybe you just want a career (and major) that will make you happy. Something you will enjoy, so you won’t find yourself looking forward to retirement on the first day on the job.

That all depends on the individual situation as well (what will really make you happy?) Some find themselves happier while expressing themselves creatively (like Humanities majors do). While others are perfectly content to code all day long.

There’s nothing wrong with either, but there are a few things you should know if you think you’d like to major in Humanities.

If all you know is that you want to do everything possible to avoid taking those pesky high math courses, that may not be the best basis for choosing your major. There are disadvantages to every major, unfortunately. Some that may even top the disadvantage of struggling through Calc II.

But, before you read this list, we have a few disclaimers. These statements about what most Humanities majors face are just that. What most Humanities majors face. It all depends on the college, and the attitude of the student, and the teachers, and the specific major, and the career that’s the end goal, and the workplace that’s the end goal and probably more. Just know that these are general statements.

And secondly, if you’re a humanities major, don’t go getting all offended. We love you, too. In fact, we really admire you for all you’ve been through.

Our sources include Inside Higher Ed, the Association of American Colleges and Universities, and Business Insider. So buckle your seat belt, oh hopeful student, for 10 reasons not to major in Humanities.

10. You’ll have to deal and communicate with all those people.

Well, it is humanities. But if you were expecting to hole up in your cozy cubical for the rest of your working life, think again. That life is foreign to most Humanities majors.

9. You’ll have to sell yourself and your work.

If you get a Master’s in Mechanical Engineering, you can oftentimes just show them your diploma and be immediately validated. But if you get a Master’s in Creative Writing, they’ll look at you like “so?” You’ll have to go to the often difficult effort of selling yourself and your work, and do it well.

8. You won’t be able to make it on just brains.

Humanities majors often require inspiration, ideas, wit, trendiness, business savvy and more to be successful. Not just knowledge. So no matter how many numbers of Pi you know, you won’t make it unless you also know almost all of the above.

7. Your job won’t be specifically defined.

This could be good or bad. Bad if you’re too lazy to figure out what career path to go down and you just want all that spelled out for you. Good if you want options (which can really come in handy if you ever decide to change careers).

6. A computer can’t grade all your work.

This means less online classes and less easier access to learning. That’s because the answers won’t always be concrete. You will get more attention from your teachers, though, which definitely helps.

5. You’ll have to do all that reading.

If the thought of ambling through War and Peace makes you nauseous, try not majoring in Humanities. Even if it’s not War and Peace, chances are you’ll have other daunting reading material, so be forewarned.

4. You’ll have to do all that writing.

Your teacher’s red pen markings all over your ridiculously long essays may become a familiar sight to a Humanities student. Beware. And now, let’s see the top three entries in our list of reasons not to major in Humanities.

3. You probably won’t be immediately employed.

To go along with number seven on our list of 10 reasons not to major in Humanities, you won’t be able to walk into a prestigious office on graduation day and land an interview. It may take awhile to figure out a) where you want to work and b) how to sell yourself to them (as mentioned in number nine). Just follow Rory Gilmore’s lead.

2. Your starting salary won’t be that amazing.

Humanities majors require working your way up to the top and proving yourself worthy of at least more than you made while waitressing in high school. It might be a grueling process, too.

1. Even after your education, you’ll still have to keep learning.

Being an artist, which mostly all humanities majors are, requires continued creativity. In order to keep making money, you’ll have to keep forming new ideas that fit with the changing times. Your work will have to evolve, and you will too.

Now, it’s up to you to decide. After reading 10 reasons not to major in Humanities, do you think it’s worth it?