If I had a dollar for every time someone asked me what my major was, I would probably be able to afford tuition. It’s a useful question to ask upon meeting people—you can find out what they’re interested in, what classes they’re taking, and even find a new study buddy.

But such a simple question carries a lot of weight, because people often times don’t know what career they want, or they are stressed about applying to a major. Different majors are met with different responses as well. Pre-meds and pre-laws are praised; “what are you going to do with that?” is the most common reply to being an English major.

There was a time where I wanted to do pre-med more than anything. It was the holy grail of attending an accredited school. I thought it was the only way of proving I was a smart student. But when the words “Biochemistry Major” came out of my mouth, something didn’t feel right. Curing diseases might have been something I wanted to prove I was able to do, but was it really what I wanted to do with my life?

I know I’m not the only student who has struggled with this. The world will always have a demand for medicine and business, and this demand puts pressure on college kids to pick a major that is seen as successful.

But you can contribute to society without being an orthopedic surgeon or a cardiologist. No one can tell you what your role in the world is. I know that when I made the decision to spend my career saving the environment, I felt the happiest I had ever been since starting college. It was beyond difficult to tell people I was not going to cure cancer and instead spend time worrying about melting glaciers and starving polar bears, that I was not going to live up to the expectations of society. I gave myself anxiety over how much I thought people would judge me for my downgrade of a career choice.

And you know what? People were happy for me, and I think they could tell I was happier. I also have the fortune of living in a region where being eco-friendly is valued. What I thought would be the hardest decision of my life ended up being the best one I’ve ever made.

What every college student needs to know is that no one should judge you for your major, and if they do, ignore them. An art major who creates posters to raise awareness for local poverty is simply using his or her skills to contribute to society, just as someone who is gifted in biology can create new vaccines.

Society is not solely dependent on doctors, lawyers, and engineers. None of those professions would exist if it weren’t for the farmers who gave them food or the artists who illustrated their textbooks. To put any one career on some artificial pedestal only puts pressure on those who don’t choose that career, and no one should feel guilty for pursuing what they want.

If the next time someone asks what your major is and you hesitate to answer, then maybe it’s time to reevaluate your college plans. Just because you don’t think you’re cut out for biology like your pre-med peers are doesn’t mean you can’t use your degree for something else. Switch from the major you hate to the one you love. Only you can choose the one that’s right for you.