As an undergraduate student double majoring in Astrophysics and Mathematics of Computation, I often find myself reflecting on the decisions of individuals who choose to pursue social sciences and liberal arts majors such as History, Political Science, Communications, Jazz Studies, Gender Studies, English, or Asian Studies. From my perspective, these fields seem to have limited practical application in the modern job market, especially when compared to the opportunities provided by STEM disciplines.

When I tell others about my double major, they often respond with astonishment, perhaps because of the perceived rigor and career alignment of these fields. This has made me wonder even more about the motivations behind choosing majors in the social sciences and liberal arts. Are some students pursuing these fields simply for what might be seen as a “participation trophy”—a symbolic acknowledgment of completing a degree? If so, what is the point of that?

Given the rising cost of tuition and the significant time investment required for higher education, I sometimes struggle to understand how these majors justify the financial and personal sacrifices for parents and students. Could it be that these fields offer intangible benefits—like fostering critical thinking, cultural awareness, or creativity—that are harder to quantify in traditional job-market terms? Or do they align with niche career paths or personal passions in ways that justify the investment for some individuals?