Although all students are required to take general education courses, the general education major is distinctive from other majors because it doesn’t provide a background in one specific subject.
Jeff Riddle, health and physical education and general education department chair, teaches one of the most broad degree options that CBC has to offer.
Students have several reasons why they might choose to major in general education.
“Many students are not certain which career path they would like to pursue when entering
college,” Riddle said. “The choices are endless and some students fear making the wrong choice by obtaining a specialized degree that could limit employment opportunities.”
Freshman Heidi Maxwell could fit this description. Maxwell plans on getting her associates degree in gen ed and then transferring to another college.
“I knew I wanted to get a degree but I wasn’t sure what I wanted to major in yet,” said Maxwell. “So I planned to take the two years of basic courses, and decided at that point what I wanted to do. I have a pretty good idea on what things I would pursue, it’s just deciding on which specific one.”
Students who major in gen ed can choose a variety of both lower and upper division courses from English, math, science, fine arts, history, behavioral sciences, business, and health and physical education.
Sophomore Emily Pharr said she likes the variety of different courses the degree offers.
“I decided on General Education as my major because I liked how it dabbles into pieces of other majors and makes me more versatile as an employee,” she said. “Sort of like an ace of all trades, if you know what I mean.”
Pharr is hoping to be involved in a small business around Conway, such as Rhea Lana’s or Cat Cafe, and potentially work herself up into some bigger businesses.
