<p>kfc4u, your parents seem focused on the vocational side of college where your major prepares you directly for a career field. And since they both took this approach (accounting, engineering) its what they’re comfortable with and understand.</p>
<p>None of the liberal-arts majors lead directly to a career path, nor are they intended to. The reason to pick a liberal-arts major or minor is because of a strong interest in the subject, although you may be tipped to one major or another if you see a way to apply it in the future in a career.</p>
<p>Jobs are always a concern for liberal-arts majors, but the way to look at this is that preparing for a career is something that is done in addition to the major rather than being the result of the major. There are plenty of things to do in college to prepare for a career. Learning about careers by talking to alums and thru the career center resources (vocational tests, books, etc) is the first step. </p>
<p>The most important thing are internships so that you get actual exposure to the job and can explain to potential employers why you would be a good fit in the career rather than just hoping its right for you. Sample a few areas and keep your eyes open. For example in your finance job this summer talk to as many people as you can doing as many different things as you can find, so that you use this job as a way to find out about other areas too. Almost anyone would agree if you say “My name is X and I’m an intern here this summer; I was wondering if we could meet for lunch so I could learn more about your job doing Y”.</p>