Famous People and Their Majors

Did you ever wonder where some of the most accomplished figures in American society went to college and what they studied?  Think your major has to relate directly to a specific career?


In the case of some famous people, their majors come as no surprise.  Take Joe Biden, Tina Fey, and Madonna for example.  Joe Biden graduated from the University of Delaware with a degree in Political Science.  Tina Fey graduated from the University of Virginia with a degree in drama.  Madonna attended the University of Michigan on a dance scholarship (although she left to pursue her career before graduating).


Will Shortz, crossword puzzle editor for the New York Times, took this to the extreme.  He is the only person ever to graduate with a degree in Enigmatology  (the study of puzzles).  He designed his own major through Indiana University’s individualized major program.


Most people’s majors, however, don’t correlate directly to their current careers. And famous people are no exception.


Joe Paterno majored in English at Brown University.  At one point, he planned on becoming a lawyer.  When he accepted his first job as a football coach instead, his father wondered what he went to college for!


Bob Barker received a degree in Economics from Drury College (now University).  Maybe that’s what got him the gig on “The Price is Right”!


Katie Couric graduated from the University of Virginia with a degree in American Studies.  The first woman to solo anchor an evening news show on a major network did NOT study broadcasting or journalism!


Chad Meredith Hurley, co-founder and CEO of YouTube, graduated from Indiana University of Pennsylvania with a degree in Fine Art.  In 2006, he sold YouTube to Google for $1.65 billion.


Going to college is the beginning of a journey -- one that should not only provide you with an education, but broaden your horizons, develop your skills, teach you how to learn, expose you to new ideas, introduce you to different kinds of people, and provide avenues for self-discovery.

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Liberal Arts Studies or Pre-Professional Program?

Should a student pursue a liberal arts education or enroll in a pre-professional program?  The answer depends on a variety of factors, including the student’s interests, resources and goals.

There are multiple benefits to a liberal arts education.  Many of the jobs college graduates will want and the companies they will work for in the future have not yet been created.  In addition, the average career typically entails a number of job changes.  For these reasons, the best way to prepare for a lifetime of work may be to have a variety of skills and the ability to learn new ones.  Creative thinking, problem solving, written communication, oral presentation, interpersonal, and other skills are imperative to succeeding over the long haul.  Even in the areas of science and business, a liberal arts education can be invaluable.  It was not only Steve Jobs’ technical expertise that propelled him to the top – it was his creative imagination that made the difference.  This is why some companies intentionally hire humanities majors.  In addition, a liberal arts education can prepare you extremely well for graduate school.


On the other hand, a pre-professional track is the right choice for some students, especially those who are pretty sure what they want to pursue and are anxious to get started.  Sometimes an undergraduate pre-professional curriculum can reduce or eliminate the number of years of post-graduate education you need.  A career-oriented program may also better suit the student’s financial resources and/or learning style.  Graduates of pre-professional programs often start out with higher salaries.


Liberal arts studies and pre-professional training are not always mutually exclusive.  Some liberal arts colleges may offer internships or other opportunities for hands on experience.  Conversely, even schools that offer multiple pre-professional programs may include arts and humanities classes in their curriculum.   There are many paths to success and plenty of opportunities to learn along the way.  Your college admissions search should take into account your personal situation and the pros and cons of various programs


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