It would be silly to explain the pressure of selecting a major or career path. It is well known that it can be a stressful and somewhat scary process. But, perhaps, people make it more difficult than it needs to be or consider the wrong factors. Practicality plays a role, but it should not trump all others when making a career decision.
I knew early on what major would be the best fit for me. When people asked me about my plans to puruse a communications degree, I quickly learned that their responses were based entirely on the major’s financial potential. I received a lot of, “Oh, is that still a thing?” and, “Hopefully there is still a market for that when you graduate!” Definitely what I wanted to hear about my choice.
There is an obvious divide in the mindset people have when choosing a major. Some are on the “do what interests you” side of the spectrum, while others argue to pursue what is practical. An either/or mentality in this case places significant pressure on a single decision. There is an appropriate balance between pursuing what one finds interesting and enjoyable while still being wise about finances and practicality. The hard part is finding the balance, not choosing one instead of the other.
Money is undeniably essential. However, it is not the most important thing. It’s a common phrase, but most people do not seem to accept or truly believe it. If they did, there would be a greater amount of people devoting time to things other than degrees. The emphasis would be placed on feeding interests and gathering experiences rather than obtaining an impressive paycheck.
The simple truth is that there is no point in earning a degree and pursuing a career in a field that lacks a person’s interest. No fulfillment will be found there. There are multitudes of extremely wealthy people who are miserable in the careers they have chosen. Having wealth has not necessarily added to their overall quality of life, which isn’t all that surprising. To quote Biggie Smalls, “the more money we come across, the more problems we see.”
American culture places an extreme emphasis on measuring success by annual income figures. Instead of encouraging people to explore their interests and passions, society convinces them that life is better with a high-end position, and all the stresses and demands that come with it. This produces a culture of people who are solely interested in the acquirement of wealth to complete their lives. Students then enter college with the mindset of “How much money can I earn with this degree?” Such a thought is damaging, not only to the individual person, but to society as a whole. Additionally, encouraging careers that typically have generous salaries sends the message that one person’s interest is more valuable than another’s. Just because one job pays more than another does not mean it is less important to society or less fulfilling.
Imagine what the world might look like if students were encouraged to pursue what excites, fulfills and inspires them. American society would be drastically different if it emphasized truly enjoying life and following inspiration, rather than fixating on what will accrue a fortune. The distinction would lie in the attitudes of the people. Those who pursue and find the career that excites them will inspire others to do the same and create a cycle that is beneficial.
