As the new school year begins, many of us are introspective — reflecting on what we’ve accomplished in the summer months, and looking forward to what we’d like to do before we graduate from college.

I’ve spent a lot of that time contemplating what my internship taught me this summer. Last spring, after attending an internship fair, I was offered a costume and props internship at the Minnesota Children’s Museum  — despite being an English major. 

My first day at the job, I was a bit apprehensive — what was I doing here, devoting my time to an internship that had little to do with my field of study? 

As the summer progressed, it became clear that the time I spent at the museum was truly meaningful and productive: What were once qualms about the relevancy of the job to my education, turned into receptiveness as I tried to use the experience to learn new skills.

As an English major, the most tangible body of work that I’ve produced has been a stack of papers, but as a costumer, I was able to work in a tactile, creative field that allowed me to create a product that communicates my ideas to the world in a different way.

My time at the museum this summer showed me that I could take a large step away from the path my major had laid out for me. The point of college isn’t necessarily to study for a career — delving into others interests is equally important, even if they don’t align with your major. 

By championing curiosity, you may find a passion that was unbeknownst to you — and above all else, provides the necessary clarity and perspective that can inform who you are as a person, no matter what career you end up choosing.