On Nov. 5, BYU-Idaho Advising posted an Instagram video of students guessing someone’s major just based on their looks. Every person guessed the wrong major. It’s sometimes entertaining to see someone wearing a plaid button-down, short-sleeved shirt with high-waisted dress pants and wearing big, bulky glasses and assume that person is a math major.

“It’s just a few that are noticeable that create this stereotype, and not everyone in our major is like that,” said Kenna Castañeda, a music education major.

Castañeda experienced people telling her that music majors don’t shower or socialize; however, Castañeda does both.

We like to put a whole group of people into categories based on the few who do the unexpected.

Biology

When we hear "biology major," we think of a student who is smart and wants to perform lifesaving surgeries.

For Abbott Patterson, he never considered himself academically inclined.

“I do have to work a little bit harder in my biology classes,” Patterson said.

Patterson wants a career in Biotechnology sales, not as a doctor.

Marissa Bischoff is yet another biology major who people assume wants to be a doctor. However, she is in fact afraid of needles.

Recreation Management

Sarah Littlefield has heard that all she does is climb rocks, and Brennen Liddicoet heard, “They are just children that want to go outside and play all day.”

Of course, recreation management has its fun with rock climbing and backpacking, but there’s more to it.

“We do anything from forest service to wedding and event planning, working any part of tourism to parks and community events like marathons, teams and sports,” said Littlefield.

Since recreation management is broad, these students have learned more than just climbing and holding onto holds bolted to the wall. They’ve learned risk and marketing management skills.

Psychology

People always ask psychology majors if they can read people.

“A lot of people just think that I can look at someone and be like, 'Oh, you’re depressed,'” said Jaycee Bell, a psychology major.

Friends and strangers asked Katelyn Ray if she wants to be a psychologist, like it is the only option for a psychology major. She actually wants to be a psychometrist, someone who administers psychological and neuropsychological exams.

Accounting

Charity Russell is fun and extroverted, the complete opposite of what people assume accounting majors are like.  

“You think of boring, old guys that just tell dad jokes all the time,” said Russell.

Russell confirmed that this stereotype includes most of her professors. However, what department doesn’t have old guys cracking dad jokes in the middle of class?

Benson Bateman has also received comments that people believe accountants are socially awkward, but he disagrees.

“Most people in my classes are pretty social,” said Bateman.

Child Development

For Madison Judy, she's been told that her major is just a “mommy degree.” People say the same thing about marriage and family majors.

When people think about child development, they think it's just about watching children grow, but it is more than that. There are opportunities to run a preschool or learning center. You could also work as a child life specialist, who is someone that works with families who have children with disabilities.

Stereotypes are fun and are sometimes correct. However, it is important to remember that there are exceptions. People don't always fit into boxes, especially a handful of noticeable individuals. It's important to look past the generalizations and recognize that people and their majors go beyond the surface.

I remember the first day I made the decision to switch my major from social work to English. The first person I told said to me with a straight face, “So, you want to be poor for the rest of your life?” I just laughed it off.

This man failed to understand I didn't switch my major to English because I want to be rich. I switched because I was passionate about writing and knew I'd be happier with this major than any other one.