I have always been apprehensive to the notion of “following my passion.” If I did that, I would be in school for music. Sometimes, I think that would have been a better option for me than my current major in economics. I never wanted to pursue music as a job because I didn’t want the pressure and intensity of the major to leave me passionless for the art. I also have never desired to be a broke musician because, let’s be real, I like my fancy coffee and Mac too much for that.
So, here I am, majoring in something that I lack a passion for. It can be lucrative and it definitely can be interesting, but I do not have a deep, burning, consuming passion for it.
Most of my friends are dispassionate about their majors as well. I always pictured myself loving my major and being a big bad junior in college and feeling like I know what I am doing. That picture could not be more wrong.
The person with passion always wins. It’s true. It’s hard to accept. I know that I will never get promoted over the co-worker who wants to solve the world’s problems using economic theory when all I want to do is go home and write, play an instrument, or sing.
No need to panic, I bring you good news. If you have the same “Wow, I have no passion for my major” type of feeling, it’s okay.
You aren’t locked in. I often forget that most people never even go into the field that they majored in. Of course that is different for the sciences and for some other highly-specialized fields, but I am only twenty and I have no idea where my life is going to take me. You probably don’t know either. You may think that you do, but you don’t. All I want to do is bring positive change to the world and I don’t know what career path will help my achieve that positive change.
The uncertainty should only promote you to explore your options. You are now flexible when you go into the workforce. You don’t have one specific job title that you are seeking. The first job you land may not be what you thought and you may want to change in a few years. This is common and this is okay.
You still have the power to figure out what you want for your life. Your major in college is not nearly as important as simply attaining a college degree. Finish the degree, explore your options, and never forget to pursue the things you are passionate about. Hobbies are a beautiful concept and can help your mind to be more creative and can relieve stress.
I don’t know your current situation, but please know that you have the power to do what you want with your life. No major, no degree level, and no person should ever stop you from doing what you want to be doing. My major does not control me. I am still free and I can still do many things with my life. I am lucky because I have so many interests and passions that I have trouble deciding what to do. It is not a curse. Don’t let the frustration with or lack of passion for the amjor get you down.
The power to do good in the world is always yours and that is something to never become dispassionate about.
