Being an Education major means constantly being told "teachers don't get paid very much... you know that, right?". And as I begin my Senior year in college, one semester away from student teaching, I honestly wish I got a dollar every time my major was referenced in cohesion with salary. I would probably be able to pay all four years of my tuition in full and then some. Then, in response all I can do is put on a fake smile, chuckle a little, and nod my head. To me it seems our generation has its priorities messed up. When did career choice become so dependent on salary instead of what's actually going to make and keep you happy in the long run?

Yeah, I know I won't be making nearly as much as a doctor, or lawyer, or most professions really, but as a teacher, that extra money is going to come from smiles. A smile from a child that just grasped a concept. A smile from a child who's learning something new and is excited about it. A smile from a child that just made a new friend. A smile from a child at the school carnival or in the school play. A smile from a child who gets a question right and makes an A. A smile from a child that I know is because of me. And yes, i'm aware teaching isn't all smiles, and laughs, and perfect children but all the smiles that are shared in the classroom will more than make up for it.

I'm not saying that if you're pursuing any other career, you're wrong. All I'm saying is that you should be pursuing it for the right reasons. It's okay to want to make a lot of money, money is security and I get that. But you should also be pursuing a career that's going to make you happy. Something you want to wake up every morning and not dread going to. Something that doesn't make you regret even pursuing that career in the first place. Money is important, but so is your happiness, and that's something i'll always vouch for.

Even though becoming a teacher means endless papers to grade, long and tiring days, lessons plans, a messy classroom, screaming children, and unhappy parents, it's all worth it to know i'm making a difference in a child's life. Knowing that i'm helping to shape future generations is something I can wake up and go to sleep happy to. That makes all the lessons plans, observations, field experience, bulletin boards, games, and hours i'm putting in now well worth it. And if we want to get technical, you wouldn't be where you are now, pursuing whatever career you are, without all your past and current teachers/professors.

So what I'm really trying to get at is that you should feel like all the hard work you're putting in now is worth it. Not just because you know you'll be making bank and won't be experiencing that broke college student status anymore, but that you'll genuinely be happy in your career and with your future. So yes, I know I won't be making much money, but I promise I will be happy. And like I said, I'll be getting paid the difference with the smiles of my students.

And anyways, how can you be surrounded by this and not be happy?