COLUMN: Things you know nothing about

From Melissa Wong's, "Days Like This," Fall '99 From Melissa Wong's, "Days Like This," Fall '99What are you going to do with that?" I've received a wide range of responses from people when I tell them I'm majoring in International Relations, but that one reaction from the president of a company I once worked for is my personal favorite. I thought International Relations would be a fascinating and useful course of study, versatile enough to cover at least some of my 17 possible career plans. At the very least, it's not Folklore. Now, we find ourselves in a time, and more specifically, on a campus which is unusually focused on pre-professional, career-oriented possibilities. English and History majors become merely pre-law students and Biology and Chemistry majors are future doctors. Let's not even begin to get into the career goals of Finance majors. For many students who are set in their future plans, this attitude of predetermination suits them well. There is of course absolutely nothing wrong with being a doctor, lawyer or consultant -- even an investment banker -- if it is a profession that you sincerely feel is your best career choice. But how about those who come into college not knowing what they want out of their education or their future? At such a young and inexperienced age, how can we even begin to know what we'd like to do for the next 50 years? Yet those who do choose to pursue these alternative courses often hear pessimistic and discouraging words from parents and friends who have already entered the real world. Almost every liberal arts major has heard at least one condescending comment about their studies, insinuating that their work and effort in a certain field is utterly worthless in a world of real competition, money-making demands and practicality. My own father still thinks I'd be better off getting a Mrs. degree, graduating with a diploma in one hand and a husband in the other. But perhaps we shouldn't be so quick to discount the practical side of the matter. Did you ever hear the one about the Harvard graduate who is working at the supermarket because she majored in Folklore? Ivy urban legend, of course, but it strikes a chord of fear for those of us who will be paying off school loans until our own children are old enough to attend Penn. For our generation, a college degree no longer guarantees employment after graduation. At a time when competition is so intense, we may be compelled to take one of those more practical majors to make ourselves more marketable as we join the work force. It's hard not to think of that when you consider signing up for Classics 101 this semester. And so Penn, as an environment which lauds variety and opportunity, has a role to play in alleviating the negativity and concerns surrounding liberal arts majors. For one thing, Penn needs to let liberal arts majors know about the many post-graduate options available to them. The Career Services office is also a great resource which unfortunately has been lacking in its services for liberal arts majors. Please tell us that there are careers other than consulting. To better assist all students of Penn, Career Services needs to provide information about opportunities with companies, in research and at graduate school. Penn also needs to work harder to encourage students to consider majoring in the liberal arts. The General Requirement classes and out-of-major electives are an important part of a more diversified and comprehensive college education and should be regularly reviewed, updated and even expanded when necessary to reflect changes in course selections and new programs. We can also look to the faculty within this university and draw upon their expertise and experience to inform us of opportunities and alternatives within each of our respective programs. In-major and extracurricular clubs and organizations also offer much support and insight into other possibilities for fields of study. And students, too, have a role to play. What better place to explore various opportunities than at a university, where you can take courses in many disciplines. With advanced registration upon us this week, take the time to peruse the course register and find at least one course that broaches a wholly unfamiliar topic. It just might take you somewhere you never knew you wanted to be.