The most human thing happened to me the other day and I wish it would happen more often.
I was sitting in the library across from a girl I didn't know for an hour or two when eventually she looks up and says "What's your major?" Just like that, I ended up having a 30-minute conversation with a stranger and was trusted with information on the cause of her stress and concern: she wasn't sure if she was on the right track for school or not.
So relatable.
After a very stressful few semesters and many tears, I finally decided to change my major from something I knew would require years extra of schooling and get me a guaranteed six-figure income to something I am genuinely passionate about. Yes, changing my major is scary and new. Yes, changing my major as a sophomore might have set me back a bit. But no, I do not regret my decision.
There are a lot of students who choose to major in certain subjects or spend many extra years in a new school because they want the status and respect that people in those jobs receive. If you are doing what you love and you are pushing the limits and succeeding in a job you are passionate about, the money will follow. We need to stop choosing jobs based off of the salary and start choosing based on passion. If you are passionate about something, then you will do anything you can to make it work and it will reward you not only mentally but financially as well.
Think about why you want to major in something and pick out three reasons you want the job you're working for.
For example, let's say you want to help people and save lives so you think being a doctor is the best choice of a job because that's what they do. Yet, you can do that In almost any job.
Are you actually passionate about math or history? You can be an accountant and help a nonprofit and save people by working with a program that gives back to those in need. You can be a history teacher and do seminars in low-income neighborhoods, inspire a child and change their entire life.
Do what you want because of passion, not because of income and status. You will have the status and income you desire if you do what you love because loving what you do ensures you will put all of your efforts into it.
If you don't know why you want the degree you're working towards or can't say that you love your degree, you need to look to yourself and look to others to help you see what you're passionate about. It's scary but it's going to make your time in school and your entire future more fulfilling and meaningful to you.
If I had to sum up our conversation in a sentence it would be this: A student was worried that she would be unhappy if she changes her major but fears that she didn't choose the right one.
My advice would be to do what you love.
