A little over one year ago, I officially committed to my dream school, University of Portland, and declared myself as a psychology major. I had been thinking about this major all throughout high school, and I knew it was the one that I would find to be most fulfilling and interesting.

Of course, all of my friends and family ask me the age-old questions about what I’m studying, such as, “Don’t you need at LEAST a Master’s degree to do anything with that?” or, “What kind of money are you going to make with that degree?” I’m certain they mean well, but the thing is: money does not matter when you have discovered your passion in life.

Psychology teaches people how to have intrapersonal connections, be more empathetic and teaches us important ways to live happy, healthy lives. Psychology teaches us about mental illness and how to help our loved ones through difficult times. Without psychology, the human connection would have an entirely different meaning in our world today- and what kind of world would it be without these purely human connections?

My major is endlessly fascinating to me, and the second I walked into my Psychology 101 class last fall, I knew I had chosen the right path. I have never felt excited about school or interested about the material until I took AP Psychology in high school, which is when I decided to pursue it. I didn’t choose this major because “the coursework is so easy.” I didn’t choose this major because “I had nothing else to pick from.” I chose my major because of the wonderful things it brings to all different kinds of people, and the ways it can connect people that would have never had connections otherwise.

I may never make as much money as a lawyer, or an engineer, or a doctor- and I’m perfectly okay with that. The best part about college is being able to find a major that not only suits you, but one that you are driven to know more about, one that makes you feel passionate. Psychology may not be for everyone, but I promise you, it is not a “throwaway” major.