'There are many opportunities in arts'

Of all the courses, you are opting for arts? Why not something else?’ Most students pursuing arts or humanities are asked this question at some point or the other. Despite being an interesting field with a lot of scope, arts is often looked down upon by most people in our country and students pursuing arts are not considered to be “serious about their career”.

In a country where writers are as important as engineers, and sociologists are needed as much to reform the society as doctors, why does this double standard about the stream? Metrolife speaks to a few students of arts to find out.

Rochelle Stephens is a second-year PU student, who has taken up History, Economics, Sociology and Psychology (HESP) in Jyoti Nivas College. “A student pursuing commerce and science always gets a positive response from people. But when you tell everyone you are pursuing arts, the first thing they ask is ‘Why? You didn’t get good enough marks?’.”

She adds, “Most people fail to think we chose arts due to a liking for the subjects.” She adds, “Arts has a variety of subjects. Be it science-based subjects like psychology or commerce subjects like economics, there are so many opportunities in arts,” she opines.
 “While science and commerce are more book-orientated, in arts you can freely express your views.” Besides, Rochelle feels the career options are not limited in arts.

“Most people think it’s an easy subject but it’s quite tough as the papers are lengthy and you need to keep on writing.”

Sathya, a first year student of Mount Carmel College, feels trends are changing slowly. “That’s because entrepreneurship is becoming an increasingly important aspect of our lives and many subjects of arts deal with that,” she says.

“Psychology is an important aspect of our lives too. Before, it wasn’t given much importance in India but now, it’s growing rapidly.”

As someone who loves architecture a lot, Sathya may change her field soon. “But that’s not because arts is any less than architecture. The dilemma is I love both the subjects equally.”

Sathya also informs that most of her classmates are hostelites who come from various parts of the country (like Dehradun) and the world (like Germany and Africa). “This shows how serious youngsters are about arts,” she smiles.

Parth is a second year student of Communicative English, English and Psychology in Christ College.

“There are some students who take the subject lightly. That’s why a stigma is associated with arts,” he notes.

“But most students take up arts not because they are less intelligent, but because they have a genuine interest for the subject.” According to Parth, arts is an uncertain course.
“In courses like MBA and engineering, the placements are assured if you score well. However, in arts, scoring good marks won’t assure you a good job. It all depends on your aptitude.”  Parth also feels that it’s a myth that arts is dominated by girls. “Though arts is considered less profitable, a student of arts can prove his or her worth everywhere. But it all depends on the students themselves, not the course on the whole.”