Article August 31, 2009 Issue

MAJOR DECISIONS

Taking the labels off my degree

BY WILLIAM HENSEY

There it was again, that question I'd become so familiar with during my college years. A question I'd also asked myself.

College was an amazing and eye-opening experience. When I first walked onto my campus as a freshman, I felt like I could see an infinite number of possibilities for my future. It was exciting to see and try courses from all different academic areas, but this excitement quickly turned into the thought: "There are so many different majors! How will I ever choose the right one?"

When I reached this point, I began to look for ways in which to narrow down my search. So, as I'd done throughout my life in times of difficulty, I began to pray. Out of this prayerful searching, I initially identified two main topics I knew I loved: mathematics (which at that point in my life had grown to include physics) and music. As music is often labeled a degree that may not lead to any sort of stable career, I focused in on math and physics. But I also started working on music as a smaller secondary major so that I could continue to play the piano, something I've done all of my life. Satisfied with my choice of math and physics, and confident that it would lead me to a successful career, I continued with my studies.