Have you ever seen the articles titled, “10 Best Paying College Majors,” or “The 10 Worst Majors,” or something of the sort?

Well let me tell you something, my major is undoubtedly always the worst. I am a communications major. What does that mean?

Well, Wikipedia says: “‘Communication Studies’ is an academic discipline that deals with processes of human communication. The discipline encompasses a range of topics, from face-to-face conversation to mass media outlets such as television broadcasting.”

Sure, that is the definition, but when I became a communications major, it was because I wanted to become a writer. Why? Well because I have always been okay at it, and I really love it. Notice that I didn’t say because of money. Just like we make fun of the “starving artist” or art major, or art school kid, communication majors are mocked because of how unrealistic their major can be. But I want to make one thing clear: just the way I did not choose my eye color, I did not choose the make up of my brain and how I am wired.

If you are not familiar with the brain, there are two hemispheres, left and right. Right-brain thinkers are considered more artistic, while left-brain thinkers are considered more logical and analytical. You are not one or the other; both sides are utilized. However, many people (just like being a lefty or a righty) have a favored hemisphere.

It’s not like I went to the supermarket and picked my brain. It is based on genes and development, I imagine. I’m sure a neuroscience major could go further in depth. And while yes, I could push myself to become a doctor, or an engineer, even though I believe that the concepts covered in those majors are far beyond my reach, I would never enjoy myself. I wouldn’t enjoy college, I wouldn’t enjoy my job, I wouldn’t enjoy my life.

American lives are increasingly impacted by money. And when it comes to a point where you are considering picking a lifestyle (or a major in college) that makes you unhappy, just for the benefit of money, what is the point?

A misconception is that money is happiness. Happiness is happiness. If you spend the majority of your life working a job you don’t enjoy but provides a good salary, your life may be filled with money, but there is no guarantee of happiness.

My sincerest well wishes to those who are passionate about their majors – if you are a nursing major or a mechanical engineer and you aspire to do great things in your field, awesome! Be amazing, but don’t be mediocre for money. There is dwindling happiness for those who base their said happiness on a paycheck. But, no matter how hopeless becoming a writer, or a psychologist, or a teacher, or artist, can seem, it is always best to follow a dream that will make you happy rather than make you money.

That goes for you science and math left-brains too. Happiness over cashiness.