It is a broad field that straddles the humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences. Most careers in linguistics require graduate training.
Many people come to linguistics through a love of languages.
However, love of languages itself is not sufficient to ensure success and happiness as a linguistics major. The student must also enjoy analytical thought, as linguists employ analytical tools in the study of human languages. The linguistics major gives students a solid foundation in the central areas of linguistic theory and analysis. In addition, the major's language requirement is designed to make sure students acquire a perspective on linguistic structures besides those of their native language and at least some exposure to one language that is structurally very unlike English. A student may petition to have a given requirement waived if an equivalent course was completed elsewhere before registering as a departmental major.