More often than not, when I tell someone I am majoring in journalism, their reaction is a somewhat befuddled, "Oh, that's nice...What will you do with that?" Sometimes, if I'm lucky, I get to talk to an adult who will tell me there are no jobs for journalists and that I should study something more practical (yes, I'm being sarcastic and yes, this has happened on multiple occasions with people I barely know).

Ever since I can remember, I have always wanted to help people. I love listening to people and trying to be there for them or help them as much as I can. When looking for possible professions, I thoroughly researched fields that could help people: social workers, teachers, doctors and nurses, caregivers, and more. But then it hit me that what I love most may actually be helpful to other people.

I believe my writing helps people. Whether it's putting a smile on someone's face, informing the public, giving advice, or anything in between, I believe the words I put together are so much bigger than me.

In addition to studying journalism, I am considering double majoring in finance in order to be a financial investigative journalist; AKA long hours looking through records and files for any kind of economic or political corruption. Personally, I think that this job is not only helpful, but extremely necessary in today's society.

Recently, I was talking to different professors about whether I should study journalism or public relations. Both of my professors said the exact same thing each time: "The world needs more journalists." What they meant by that is that we need people who hold others accountable for their actions and more people putting the truth above any other agendas.

Also, having a journalism degree is an extremely practical major that leads to a multitude of jobs. Hopefully, when I graduate, I will have the skills to write well, analyze statistics, interview multiple sources, fact check, work well under stress, and add a strong influence to the media.

So, random parent criticizing my decision to study journalism, for these reasons and more, I could not be happier to be studying a 'dying field.' I revolved my college search around this career, and I am studying in one of the best journalism schools in the country, so I know I will be well off.

In this way, I am so lucky to be studying something I love while still having the ability to have an impact in other people's lives. I am writing and studying journalism to not only inform and investigate, but to also help people, and I believe we need more professions like that in our world today.