Majoring in something you love vs. Choosing a major for a career.

Having spent a good part of my adult years, including those when I've offered guidance to my own (now grown) children; believing that majoring in something you love will mean being successful at whatever you choose; I have to say that I have changed my mind about that thinking. So has my children's father.

Today, we have both come to the conclusion that one should always go for the high-paying career - and do what one loves on the side, as a hobby. In the event the hobby turns into something that will pay well, then maybe a career change would be in order. Either way, one would have his well paying career and education in the event he wants/needs them.

I believe this thinking only comes from having reached a certain age and seeing that a well paying career will pay for a lot of hobby-for-love activities. Further, having plenty of financial stability frees a person from stress, which means having more energy to devote to his "side line".

I like Lisa HW's response to this. However , I believe there's a balance that needs to be maintained.

I had a friend through high school who was an amazing guitarist. He played local coffee houses and bars. When we were going to university, he decided on social issues courses -Psychology/Sociology/Community development.

I asked him one day "Hey man, why struggle through university doing things you like, when you have this amazing talent you love to share with people? Why not do the music program and become a teacher?"

I, to this very day, love his response: "well struggling through something I am ok with doing is great. I know I could probably do better with marks if I did Music, but look at it this way - If I chose this, my hobby, my talent as my career, my bread maker, I would slowly come to resent the very thing I love. I can chose to play music when I want, and I chose the people I help learn. If I were to suddenly make it a job, then I would be about 3-5 yrs into it and resent it... I would have less choice about who I want to teach, about when I want to teach it, and like with any job I would begin to resent the whole notion of playing the guitar. (The 3-5 yrs is a round about estimate of time people usually require a job/career change when stress is involved)

So, I like the whole "Do something that will make you money", and "Have a hobby on the side." Issue being we aren't all made out to make a lot of money because it brings so much responsibility and stress with it, you may have to use your hobby while you are looking for something else to do....

Major in something you love!

Choosing a major based the on the pay grade or the career that you will undoubtedly hate is a terrible way to go through college. It may seem like a good idea at first, but when you are out in the "real world" looking for employment, you will find nothing that satisfies your desires.

I am the perfect example. I majored in Business Administration because my father convinced me it was the smart thing to do. Now, I cannot for the life of me find a job that I can enjoy. I ended up figuring out my mistake when it was too late. I was able to earn a minor in Community & Environmental Sciences, but that isn't good enough to get a good job in today's economy,

Study what you love so that you will be happy for the rest of your life. There is nothing worse than living to work at a stupid job. You should be happy and excited to do your job everyday, otherwise your life is not really fulfilled.

I think you should study what interests you. An intelligent person can be trained to do almost any career. What most employers are looking for are employees that have good critical thinking and problem solving skills. Pretty much any liberal arts degree will get you those skills. The only thing that might not be very career oriented is a degree in the fine arts. In that case, you are pretty much limited to becoming a teacher, or being good enough to sell your art.

Better question is... "Am I heading in the direction to be able to do what I love?"...

That should help you answer your question

There is this fantastic video at Ted.com: http://www.ted.com/talks/ken_robinson_says_schools

People should follow their natural talents and pursue what they love/care about. To pursue an education based on some sort of popular knowledge re [potential] future success is just a recipe for misery.

As Ken Robinson suggests in the video, it is hard enough to try to educate children for a world we don't know how it will look like in 5-years time....

Definitely study something that interests you even if it is only a little bit. Although I guess you must ask yourself the question, are you going to be happy working in that particular industry for many years to come?

There are too many 'professional students' around who study something, can't get a job, or decide they want to do something else. They then study another completely different course.

I think you should definitely choose something you love, there is a greater chance that you will continue studying and working many years while also enjoying it!

Having a child currently majoring in chemistry and doing well, I think hes lost his mind, but he gets it. I would say you still have to find a comfort zone that offers a challenge to keep your interest. We talk with him alot about his plans and being a junior its time to get serious about an internship. Something that potentially pays well and gives you options would be Ideal. The main thing is stay focused and on track. Our son plays soccer for his college and I think the physical and the mental together keep you zoned in. The added bonus is you don't have time to mess around. Just don't quit no matter what its worth it.

I wish there was a right or wrong answer for this one for everyone. I think it simply depends....

Many people go on to be hugely successful doing what they love without ever getting a formal education. To them, I'd say do what you love the way you love to do it.

Others go through school chasing the dollar only to end up dissatisfied at the end. To them, the obvious answer might seem like 'you should have studied what you loved.' But is it really that simple?

Still others study what they love, only to love something else later, or even fall out of love with their first love. To them, the obvious answer would seem 'you should have studied to make money.'

See, hindsight's always 20/20, but who is to say which way you should go? It's your decision and no matter what, it will have advantages and drawbacks. I'd suggest mapping out a vision for your future with two-three alternate tracks. Then, ask yourself which is more likely to make you happy and curious in the long run.

Maybe you can study something that will help you earn enough money in order to pursue what you love a little bit later in life. No matter your decision, just trust yourself and make the best of your go at it.