From arts to STEM, there are many decisions when choosing a major. However, Hispanic students say they experience the pressure from their families to pursue a major with money.
84% of UTEP’s population is Hispanic according to the university. Pursuing a major for the end goal of a successful career that earns high income can become complicated in retrospect.
Andrea Castañeda, a 2019 graduate from UTEP, studied biological sciences. Castañeda has always been passionate about science, but also about art, particularly fiber art. Fiber art is creating art with yarn or synthetic fiber materials.
“From a young age, I’ve been really into science, mainly biology, mostly concentrated in zoology,” said Castañeda.
Castañeda’s parents supported her artistry but felt it should be pursued on the side while she focused on her studies.
“My parents were semi-supportive but also very leading into the STEM portion of the two passions that I had,” said Castañeda. “I used to want to be an animation major, but after looking at prospects and job prospects as well as different paths I could go through, I decided to stick with STEM.”
Casteñda continues to pursue her passion while working as a laboratory sales consultant for a health company.
Although the pressure to set one’s passion aside is common, UTEP senior Charleigh Tallman pursues his passion for the arts by majoring in digital media production and theater arts.
“For me, it’s a perfect combination of what I love, because I want to become an actor,” said Tallman. “Theater arts is fueling my passion there and digital media production is helping put that into something that I can work with.”
Tallman’s parents supported him studying digital media production but wanted him to do something different with his profession.
“They were not opposing the idea of me studying arts, they just wanted me to do something else and I felt digital media production was the perfect thing that I could add to it.” said Tallman
The liberal arts cover a diverse range of professions and can lead students to success.
Karen Baca, a 2021 accounting and finance graduate, first started with a major in liberal arts.
“I chose liberal arts first because I wasn’t sure what I wanted to study,” Baca said. “My mom suggested that I pick something easy and do the basics for now, and later on when I knew for sure what I wanted to study, I can change my major.
Before her student orientation, Baca changed her major to accounting because she enjoyed learning math and the idea of working at an office. Baca’s parents supported her decision.
“I didn’t feel pressured by my parents, they were supportive of my decision to be an accountant,” said Baca. “They pressured me more into finishing school.”
Each student had advice to share with Hispanic students who want to pursue what they are passionate about. Here is what art enthusiast Castañeda said.
“Stick with what you want to pursue, and if you stick with it and you are consistently working at it, and of course with the right connections as well, you’ll be able to be successful in that particular niche that you want to be in,” said Castañeda.
Tallman, a short film creator and actor, shared advice to those who are passionate about film and acting.
“If they really, truly want to do something in the arts and acting, the best advice I would give them is to make it look like they are interested in it and to be brave, be bold, and be big,” said Tallman. “If that’s your passion, follow it and defend it.”
For Hispanic students who want to focus on liberal arts, Baca adds on to the advice.
“I would make sure I knew what to do with the diploma and know how to earn money with it, but if liberal arts are something you want to do, do it.” Baca said. It’s your major, it’s your diploma, not your parents, it’s your life.”
Avery Escamilla-Wendell is a contributor and may be reached at [email protected] or on Instagram @by_avery_escamilla.
