In the spring semester of my sophomore year at Elizabethtown College, I attended a “Tea at Three” program on migrant education. After the event, I spoke with the presenters about the dynamics of education in America. One of the individuals asked me what major I was pursuing and I responded that it was an English Literature major. He told me jokingly that “I must not really want a job.”
That encounter poses a large question which I think is applicable to many students at Etown: should we pursue our passions and dreams or choose a major based upon the objective of obtaining a career? It depends upon our perception of the world and the factors we use to evaluate life in order to solve our problems. Let us consider a few variables such as the current economy.
The American economy and job market is sluggish. Employers are making cuts to remain competitive and are looking for employees. This trend is reflected in the unemployment numbers for recent college graduates, which is at 8.5 percent, according to an article written by Patrice Hill of the Washington Post. Forbes Magazine contributor Troy Onick suggests that unemployment also depends upon what major a student chooses. For example, Onick identified that 11.1 percent of arts majors are unemployed.
While this data is startling, it should not necessarily dissuade students from pursuing their passions. However, students should carefully contemplate what they value. Elements such as the cost of your education, your passion for your intended profession and your overall identity should factor into the decision. “I believe choosing a major is dependent upon the amount of debt that you accumulate while in college,” Etown alumnus Alexander Liebergall said. “You do not want to be in debt for the rest of your life. With that said, it is still important to pick something that you are passionate about. You do not want to be stuck in a dead-end job that you are going to hate and regret. Financial security won’t always buy you happiness.”
Your level of passion for your major and for the career you will pursue after you graduate should be substantial factors in your choice. The level of those internal motivations will propel you to overcome the challenges you will encounter.
Students should also consider the components of their identity, such as what they want to express about themselves. Consider your level of happiness if you choose a career path that limits the expression of your identity and your passion. Then consider if the benefits of working a job that suppresses those elements provides benefits that are worth sacrificing the prime years of your life.
In the end, choosing a major depends on the criteria you use to measure your experiences. Each person on this campus may have different equations to solve the same problem. The most important piece of the puzzle is making a balanced decision which validates all of the elements of your life.