College Major: Should I do what I really enjoy or do it in order to get a specific career?

Question

I really enjoy psychology and health. But I don't know if I should major in it. I heard that people with psychology degrees have a harder time looking for a job. I was thinking of majoring in nurse because there's a high demand of them right now. But then again, I would only be doing it to get a good job. Should I be majoring something I'm interested in?

sorry about the grammar mistakes. I forgot to revise it!

Answer 1

The million dollar question.

I would suggest majoring in something practical that you have an interest in. It doesn't necessarily have to be a specific profession such as nursing, but having a practical skill set can help you get a job when the time comes.

It's true what you here about psychology majors. There are a ton of people who major in psychology but have no intention of carrying it out further. The problem with the major is that you are essentially showing employers that you went to school get get an education with no end game in mind. When you are going up against somebody with say, a degree in finance, you might have a harder time.

Keep in mind, in the end it really all comes down to what you want to do. Although I'm sure you have some ideas about what you are interested in, there is nothing to say that this will not change drastically over the next few years. I would suggest trying to take a wide variety of classes that satisfy your GE requirements during your first year or so and try to talk to some different people from different majors. You can always change majors too...just don't do it too late in the game otherwise you might find yourself in school for another year.

Answer 2

Some things you can do that may help you decide:

Talk with your professors to find out what sort of career choices there are for people in psychology and health.

Get an internship over the summer doing something in psychology and/or health. Getting practical experience will help a lot when it comes time for you to get a job.

Volunteer at a local hospital and talk with the nurses there - they can give you the real scoop about what it's like to be a nurse, giving you a better idea if it's something you want to spend your life doing or not. I perceive nursing as being a bit like teaching - it's more of a calling, and if your heart's not into it, you will be miserable because of the low pay and lack of respect (my mom's a nurse, and I'm a college professor).

Answer 3

You must first answer the larger question...Which master will I serve, money or career ? Career is defined as "field of pursuit ...a profession which is undertaken as a permanent calling". The emphasis is on the word calling. Pursue your calling, be good at it and the money will follow. Keep in mind that life is a moving target. Get a degree in something you enjoy. You will be exposed to other occupations as the life experience unfolds. You will make many decisions based on that exposure. If you enjoy going to work, it has become a career and not just a occupation. There is a difference!

Answer 4

I would major what you are interested in for a few reasons:
a). you will care more so you will learn more
b). because you will learn more your GPA will be higher
c). most majors (other than trade majors such as nursing or vet tech) will not prepare you for a career, but a range of careers. A psych major can work as a teacher, a mental health professional, in business, or anywhere else there is people. You might need some training, but most jobs will provide it.

Good Luck!

Answer 5

I think it is really up to you. If you major in psychology you have a broad range of jobs you can work. If you actually want to go into psychiatry it will take many, many years beyond a bachelors to score that job. I majored in history which I truly love, but I tell you, if I could go back and do it over I would major in business in a heart beat to score a better job. Do whatever you will be happy doing and you can't go wrong.

Answer 6

I can't tell you what's right for you... you'll have to follow your own path, make your own mistakes, and realize your own personal victories.

You do, however, ask a great question.... you're thinking about your future strategically, and that's a great thing! So I'm going to tell you a personal story... but take it for what it's worth... just a personal story.

I knew by the time I was 10 years old that I wanted to be a writer when I grew up. But my parents were successful business people, and when it came time for me to apply for university, they really wanted to see me in a business program. So I entered into a business primer program as an undergrad, and absolutely hated it! I hated my program so much, in fact, that I stopped showing up to my classes and ended up getting kicked-out of one of the best universities in the country!

I appealed my expulsion, and on my parents' best advice, I began a social work degree. Once again, I hated it! And yes, I ended up getting kicked out again!

I appealed my expulsion one last time. And knowing this would be the last break I ever got from that university, I decided to follow MY passion. Raising the stakes yet higher, after my two previous failures my parents swore never to pay my way again, and this time I knew I was going to have to manage the costs on my own.

Three months into my third shot at my first year of university, I held the highest grade point average in my program, the university lifted all of my academic sanctions (and there were many of them), and I was granted permission to study for two honors degrees concurrently. I nearly starved... but I was happy!

I went on from there, and completed a Masters in English, and walked straight into a position as Managing Editor of a national political magazine.

And with a career under my belt that I loved, that I was deeply passionate about, I returned to university to do my Masters of Business Administration (MBA).

In the end, my parents got to realize their dream... (that is, having bragging-rights to a son with an MBA) but not before I listened to my own passions, followed my heart, and did what I knew was right for me.

Here's the trick: decide what motivates you. Is it the money? Then follow the best options for your financial future. Is it the topic? Then choose a topic that you find exhilarating. In any case, trust your instincts better than anyone else's.

Good luck!