By Chloe Bohne · May 1, 2010
As I may have briefly mentioned before, I am graduating soon. As exciting as this period of time is for me, it’s also quite frustrating. Aside from trying to figure out the next step in my life and the pressure I feel to make sure I make the best out of this degree, I am hounded by the never ending question of, “What the hell are you gonna do with a history degree?” At first, this appears to be nothing more than an honest question, however to the trained ear and eye, it is often accompanied by a look or a tone of disappointment. If one is not going to law or medical school, than to the average person, college was a waste. Apparently, all that hoo-ha about going to school to get a better job is very limited.
What a bunch of bologna! I mean, at times, I cannot help but feel like all my hard work was for nothing other than this slap in the face by the smug bastard asking this question. It’s almost as if I went to school just so people can talk down to me, like they had figured it all out without a “fancy” college degree or something. So, before I murder the next person who asks me this damn question, allow me to fill ya’ll in on one of the many ways that a “useless” history degree has helped me in my interning endeavors.
Every once in a while, Doug will assign me a ‘research project.’ These projects range from a specific director’s work to independent ‘webisode’ write-ups, etc. In any case, I pull up a bunch of sources, read or watch them, and then relay my findings and my opinions to Doug. Well, to anyone that has ever been a student before, this is exactly what one does in school, history major or not! You take a document, read it, and write about it. Although simply stated, it’s not that easy of a task, but I guess it’s a skill that is not too appreciated these days. Nevertheless, through this research, I have proved myself to Doug as an invaluable asset because I get to show that yes, I am capable of much more than getting cell phones repaired. I mean, who would have thought that someone with a degree would be able to come up with some interesting way to utilize it, even if it is just an internship at a production company, which eventually led to a blog, and hopefully a job.
I swear, common sense ain’t so common these days.
And the next time someone asks me what I am going to do with my degree, I’m telling them I’m gonna shove up it their ass!
