Ridicule and Reason

      Well friends, I'm here to say, I get it. Way back (Ok, it's not that far back, but stick with me here) when I was still in high school, my two best friends headed off to college pursuing majors of their interests. Isn't that the goal? To do what you love? Well, that is what one may think... or should think. Despite what I saw to be correct, one of my best friends was, and probably still is to some degree, ridiculed for her choice of majors. She chose to double major in English and Alto Saxophone Performance, something that I supported years ago and still support today. Again, is that not what friends do, support one another? Yet she often got comments from her "friends" such as "Well, what are you going to do with that?" or "There aren't many jobs in music" as if these were ideas that hadn't already crossed her mind. I always remember her response being "I don't know exactly where I'll go, but I want to do what I love." 
     Recently, I've found myself in a similar case. As college students compare majors and minors, it is common for Nursing Majors to minor in Psychology or for Biology Majors to get a degree in Education as well. For those who do not know, my major is Diagnostic Medical Sonography (I know it's a mouthful). The goal is to eventually specialize and end up working in Cardiology. Now, whether I end up there or if I end up somewhere completely different I know I have the support of my family and close friends. Shortly into my freshman year, I decided to pick up a Leadership Minor. It was a minor that was attainable for me and allowed me to comfortably spread out the classes my major required. I've had experience with leadership roles and studying it and learning more about how to be an effective leader sounded surprisingly fun... for me! So I did it, I declared my minor, tacked on an extra year of school, and carried on with life. 
      Since declaring my minor in Leadership Studies I have been questioned multiple ways and in many forms. I have gotten comments such as, "I just don't get what you're going to do with that" or "Why are you wasting another year?" Because I can, and because it interests me. I don't need any other reason. My major is a competitive field and what if my minor is why a job hires me before another individual. Some say employers don't look at your minor. No, they don't a lot of times, but that doesn't stop me from telling them in an interview. I love learning about Leadership and as crazy as it may seem, even if my minor doesn't help me get into a clinical experience, a job, or elsewhere, I believe that it will have made a better person. 
     Argue with me if you must, but know that I won't fight back. I don't have to have a concrete reason and I will take the ridicule in hopes that someday, I'll be able to make it worth it. 

Keep Calm and Visit "Home" 
Wherever that may be for YOU! 

A.B