If you’ve struggled with deciding on a major, you’re not alone – you’re actually in the majority. About 80 percent of college-bound students don’t settle on a major before coming to campus according to MyMajors.com. With so many options, many of which cover subjects that aren’t taught in high schools, it’s no surprise that most students take some time before committing to a major.
“It was easy to choose my French minor because I’d been studying French since I was a freshman in high school, but choosing my major was difficult,” said Justin Evans, junior majoring in anthropology and minoring in French.
During his first few semesters at KU, Evans said, he enrolled in a number of courses that deal with the study of humans, such as sociology and linguistics. These courses prompted his passion for exploring questions about the “why” behind human history. He took an introductory class in anthropology and knew he’d found his major.
“I had my mind blown away almost every class,” Evans said. “I chose to study anthropology to understand all the different social, economic, and political systems humans live by and how those systems construct culture.”
Some of the best advice Evans said he’s ever received came from his professor in that introduction to anthropology class. His professor helped develop students’ critical thinking skills by advising them to challenge everything they’re taught. These types of non-technical “life” skills are one of the reasons Evans said he considered a liberal arts education.
“A liberal arts and sciences degree shows that you have an understanding of the world, and the people living in it. It also teaches you to have a holistic approach to situations and carry an individualistic mindset,” Evans said.
After graduation, Evans said, he plans to join the Peace Corps to gain international experience and make a difference in social problems like healthcare and education systems. Long-term, Evans hopes to conduct his own ethnographic research and publish his findings.