Money, money, money. How much money will your school cost? How much money will graduate school cost? How much money will you make after you are done? Are you majoring in something that will get you a lot of money in the future?
It seems like every decision in college has to do with money.
Something I noticed when I was trying to figure out college for myself, is that how much money I could make in the future with a degree tends to be the first priority to choosing an area of study. After being in college for a little while, I think it is important that students who are in college now, as well as students looking into college, need to know that they don’t need to declare a major just because it has the potential of getting you a decent salary in the future.
So many people, including those who are not students, don't get that just because they don't understand a major or career path doesn't mean that it's pointless.
The fall semester after I graduated high school, I went to college having no idea of what I wanted to actually major in. I took an art history survey course that semester because I had really enjoyed previous art history classes. I didn't know art history could be a major or a minor. I was told you can't do anything with that major except be a museum curator. I was told I should do something I could get an actual job with. So I set the little thoughts aside and took the next year and a half off.
After some lifestyle changes at the beginning of 2016, I threw all caution to the wind and enrolled in courses that would go towards an art history degree.
Naturally when people ask what you study in school, you tell them your major and minor and whatever else you're studying.
Someone asking, “What are you going to school for?” is responded to with, “I'm studying Art History.” and their reaction goes something like this:
“... Oh. What can you even do with that? Are you just going to work at a museum or something?”
“So, you're going to change your major, right?” or
“You're not going to make a lot of money.”
It is a bit disheartening when adults chuckle and question you when you try to explain the area of study that makes you excited and happy.
I personally don't feel like wasting my time and money going to school to study something I know I won't like for a career, and will not make me happy. I want to do what excites me, even if I might not get the most amazing salary in the future.
This is so important.
When you are doing something you love, it really doesn’t matter how much money you make. Sure, money is great and very useful, but what does money mean if you earn it through being unhappy?
You can’t love everything that you do. Sometimes you have to do things that aren’t fun and that is all a part of life, I’m not saying everything you ever do should be wonderful and feel good. That is completely unrealistic.
However, don’t let the deciding factor be how much you will make in the future. Don’t let family members, or friends tell you what to do, because there is a good chance they do not understand.
It might take a while to figure out what you want to do, and that is totally normal. It took me a year and a half after high school and transferring from different universities to figure out what I really want to do.
You won’t be able to get these years back and you won’t be able to get refunds on your loans if you have any. What matters the most at the end of the day is if you come home and you can think back on your day, week, month, year, and be content and happy with where you are and where you are going.
