Let me make an observation: It seems like today's parents, teachers, and school districts are ALL pushing towards the math and science track for today's student. It seems, to me, that if you're excellent at biology, biochem, engineering, or any science/mathematics of any sort, the nation's top universities and institutions are clamoring at your feet and are in the palm of your hand.
This observation is coming from someone who is, in every way possible, not a math and science individual.
It's really funny though, because I had thought that math and science was my absolute jam until about freshman/sophomore year. Way back then, I had wanted to be a chemist and I had simply put off my ease of understanding in underclassmen english and history as my "scientific skills" of great memory or something to that effect.
But my interest in science soon turned into a great interest in Political Science, and the only numbers I ever wanted to look at were numbers from the stock market, the federal budget, and from Gallup Polls. I realized late into my sophomore year and into my junior year that I loved the stories that the history books and fiction novels told. I could spend hours reading books and articles, researching current events, and watching the news. Writing, in general, seemed so easy and natural for me. I liked facts that came in words, not charts from lab experiments. When I took Intro to Law, Model UN, and joined the Mustang Morning News staff for the second year in a row my junior year - my fate was sealed. I was, and am, an English/History person.
The problem is: today's world has no room for English/History people. You want a stable and fairly lucrative job? Take Computer Science. Be an engineer. You want to be lauded as the smartest person in the room? You better be good at math or science. If a student is good at Math/Sci but bad at English/History, they are simply branded as a Math/Sci person - no issues there. But if an individual is good at English/History but bad at Math/Sci, they are stupid. People say, "Everyone can read," "Anyone can write an essay," and "Anyone can learn how to BS if they try hard enough." People want to pursue a Political Science/History/English degree in college? Completely worthless. Even some are questioning the merit/usefulness of a Business degree and even a Law degree nowadays. Bottom line: You want a job? Math/Sci is your track.
But to say the need for people who are good at subjects such as Politics, Law, Economics, Writing, and History is completely unnecessary in this world is wrong, and absurd. And frankly, I'm sick and tired of the stigma too. The people who create the laws of the land, run the media and entire nations, I can almost guarantee, are English/History people.
I don't want a chemist in the Oval Office or the Situation Room. I highly doubt a physicist can write a proper treaty, law, or UN Resolution. I don't want a medial doctor as a US diplomat, nor do I want a biologist telling me what's best for the economy. Fact of the matter is that chemists, physicists, doctors, and biologists - as brilliant and intelligent as they are - are not fit for these duties. They are fit for their craft, which they have honed to an incredible level, and they deserve the utmost respect for doing so.
We live in a highly specialized and trade-specfic world. A biologist can do what a politician can't, and vice versa. Some can write like mad and words just pour out of them. For others, the bond between numerics and man is simply inseparable. Both are needed, both should be equally valued. One is not "easier" than the other, and anyone who thinks that should get a reality check.
Schools need to get this message. We all know that tech development is a growing and hot job market that is likely to get to a booming level with time, and we all know that schools want you to learn and get a job. But when Standardized Tests like the SAT are kind of math-heavy, it's no question that Math/Sci people will have an easier time, and colleges will more likely be impressed with an A in AP Calculus or AP Physics rather than an A in AP English or AP US History.
If you judge every animal on its ability to climb that one damn tree, it's obvious that the monkey will the best, and everyone else won't really preform as well in comparison. So if you're like me, who can't help but to compare herself to others, feel stupid and worthless at school, and feel the sting of parental disappointment once it was evident that I would not be a Math/Sci girl in the professional world, remember that you have your own set of skills. Rather than focusing on the subjects/skills you absolutely hate, focus on the things that make your heart smile and give your life zest and gusto. Hard work, passion, and raw talent are a powerful trifecta - so go kick butt and do what you do best.
(P.S: To any of my Math/Sci brilliants out there, this wasn't an attack on you whatsoever. I have mad respect for what you guys understand and accomplish. Go you. You rule.)
(P.S.S: It's currently past midnight and I'm way to damn lazy to edit this. If you see any spelling/grammatical errors, I apologize. I may be a English/History girl, but I could never wrap my head around spelling and grammar, mostly because I really don't care.)
