Comments on: Africana Studies, Americana Perceptions

By: Jon

Jon — Sat, 28 Apr 2012 21:23:50 +0000

@Jay- I know what you mean. I got my degree in Meteorology and work in the lumber industry now without ever getting a job in the weather field. However, I wouldn’t change what I studied in (maybe just did a different internship) since it led to some pretty good life things for me. :)

By: the Original Colleen

the Original Colleen — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 17:16:20 +0000

This is so funny I was just talking to someone about Religion, I know I know I shouldn’t have done that, but I did and they asked me why as a Catholic I would know or care about other religions…yeah I know. So I told them that while in college I took comparative religions. They looked at me like I had just poked out their eye with a stick (do you have one?), anywho, they could not believe that I would choose to take that as an elective and why ever need to know this information. They didn’t have the same reaction when I told them I also took Women in the Middle Ages, but really they should have, why would I need to know about how serfs treated women’s issues, but maybe they were on emotional overload with the whole religion issue and didn’t have any reserves for women’s issues. But as always a very information piece of journalism to read during my lunch hour, thanks!

By: JennC

JennC — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 16:11:40 +0000

Hey Carlene.

Another truly enjoyable read; always interesting and insightful.

By: JM

JM — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 17:01:17 +0000

Ahhhhhhhh, I love English Majors as I am one! When people question my decision I always resort to telling them that when it comes to the Shakespeare category on Jeopardy I am effing Stephen Hawking, and I am damn proud that. Also, I am proud that everyone wants to be on my team for Trivial Pursuit because I can answer all the questions in the brown category (Arts and Literature).

I would not look at you with a black stare if you told me that you studied Africana Studies. Most English majors would understand this decision. We all look for that special something that helps our generic degree stand out. I paired my English degree with Theater. Art History was my second choice. If I were an employer looking at your resume (knowing that you were a pretty white girl) I would think to myself, “My! This girl is open minded! She would certainly contribute to the positive atmosphere of this office.” (Assuming an office job is what you were applying for). I think Africana Studies is a wonderful choice. Here, here! Plus you write for this awesome blog….:-)

By: Claire

Claire — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 13:58:15 +0000

Humanities in general do not have a clear “career path” like pre-professional programs. In contrast, though, than can help you develop critical thinking skills that will serve you well in whatever the future might throw your way.

What most impacted me from college were my semesters abroad. They were life changing. I don’t remember much from the classes I took, but the life experience is something that still impacts me today.

Love your writing Carlene! Keep it up!

By: Jay

Jay — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 03:16:36 +0000

I learned plenty in school that I use in real life – just none of it was learned in the classrooms. As an English major, history minor, that took a job in banking, I do get a lot of “How did that happen?” I just like to read. English and history were fun for me. Math was easy. And if I could do it again, I would have taken more history classes – not because it would help me post-school, but because I’d feel I got more out of it, and enjoyed it more as well.

By: Jon

Jon — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 01:19:33 +0000

If a race of Snookis popped up, I’d have to agree with the Mayans about this year.

By: Carlene

Carlene — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 21:41:40 +0000

@Andrew – I have yet to use anything I learned in college in real life, other than how to deal with bloated administrations who care for my money significantly more than they care for me. School in general has been a necessary evil I tolerated for future “job security” (ha). If you asked me why I studied English, I would tell you it was because it was easy. If you asked me why I studied Africana Studies, I would tell you because it was interesting. It’s the confused “Why?” that follows my second answer that makes me upset, and is what I’m referring to in this post. I like your spunk; you shoulda held out for the Yanks.

By: Andrew

Andrew — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 20:22:03 +0000

Carlene – I wasn’t trying to insinuate that I knew exactly what my profession was to be when I entered college (I was hoping for 2B for the Yankees BTW). My point was that at $30K plus/year I knew I needed to immerse myself in subjects that expanded beyond the “learning knew shit” level. In that instance you speak of, I agree that the line of questioning exhibited narrow mindness and poor taste. I also know that I would ask “why?” as well. Only my inquisitive nature would be guided by general interest in how you have used it in life, not racial or cultural motives.

By: Carlene

Carlene — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 19:23:35 +0000

@slilly – Jeff Berman is the absolute best!! And if I wanted to be employable, I should have gotten a degree in ______ Engineering. It doesn’t matter what fills in that blank; it would make bank regardless.

By: Carlene

Carlene — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 19:21:49 +0000

@laym – I’m pretty sure that’s up to Matt; however, if he’s okay with it, I’m on board! And thanks :)

By: Carlene

Carlene — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 18:55:30 +0000

@Andrew & @Julia – The speaker in this instance was responding in a clearly derogatory manner. Despite my profession as a photographer, I’ve never been questioned about my English major, which taught me how to read Chaucer, not write (or take corporate photos). I’m glad you went into college with such purpose; at 20, I didn’t share your ability to know what my professional future held. Otherwise, I’d have taken a course in blogging to learn to make some money from this shit.

By: Julia

Julia — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 18:25:14 +0000

Great insight Andrew :)

By: Mandi

Mandi — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 17:59:57 +0000

Love your posts!! :)

By: Andrew

Andrew — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 17:28:05 +0000

I went to college to get a degree and to make myself marketable for employment so I could provide for my loved ones and create a better standard of living for myself. I got a library card and cable to “learn new shit”. One single quotation (“those people”) does not mean everyone quesioning your major is a racist. Perhaps they are asking what have you done with that degree in a real world sense.