STAFF WRITER

In a lot of ways, it is not fair. How can you seriously ask an 18, 19 or 20 year old kid to pick a major and effectively set up a career path for the rest of his or her life? Should students pursue their favorite subject, their best subject or the field with the best job prospects?

This calls into question the entire purpose of a college education. Is college an opportunity to further pursue your passions and interests with a group of similarly inspired people or a boot camp for future professionals? This leads to an even trickier question, why not both?

A recent article in USA Today stated that only one third of this year’s freshman class plans to major in something that matches with their interests, while another third plans to major in something that does not match up with their interests.

From my personal experience, from word of mouth and from my small amount of common sense, it seems students will perform much better when they are focused on a subject about which they are passionate.

I have had classes in which I really enjoy the readings and writing assignments while I fall asleep in other classes and procrastinate all work until the final hours simply because it must be done.

For most people, college marks the last four years of their dependent lives. There are four years left of Mom and Dad footing the bill so why not take advantage of that time and pursue something you really love?

There will be time after you graduate to worry about getting a job and making a living. If you do not truly love and feel passionately about what you are doing, then what is the point?

The counter-argument can be made that college is where you prepare yourself for the future. I may not enjoy spending all day sitting at a desk in front of a computer as an accountant or financial analyst, but I will enjoy having a steady job and the means to support myself (and potentially a family) financially.

That may be considered selling out, but there is something to be said for having stability and peace of mind.

Patterns in the selection of majors are also an indicator of the perceived strength of the economy and employment opportunities. A young adult who spends his or her whole life hearing about the nation’s strong economy and the abundant employment opportunities that are available should pursue something he or she loves. Our generation has had a decidedly different upbringing. The first time I can remember being aware of the economy and financial news was the financial crisis of 2008.

Although it has been ingrained in our culture that America is the land of opportunity, today’s college students have not had that experience. We have grown up in a time when the rest of the world questions America’s credibility, when students graduate with ludicrous amounts of debt and when, according to CNN, approximately 36 percent of recent college grads are unemployed.

I am a junior and will be officially declaring a finance major in the spring. I think I have found a good balance between studying what I am passionate about and pursuing a degree in something that will help me start a career after graduation.

You might be asking yourself, “Does a 21 year old really feel passionate about finance?” For the most part I really do enjoy the classes and the work. I would probably find more enjoyment if I were studying J.R.R. Tolkien’s life’s work or pursuing my dream of playing in the NBA, but neither of those is realistic.

Ultimately, enjoying your studies, and later on your career, is important. No one can live a happy and successful life waking up every morning and toiling away at something they do not enjoy.

At the same time, it is important to have a skill set which is desirable in an age when adults are working longer and more of the workforce is made obsolete by technology. It is more important for college students.

Andrew Morse, GSB ’15, is a Finance major from North Reading Mass.