Being a college student can be challenging in this society. In this society, college students across the world are put to the test on what they will do for the rest of their lives. The question is: should students pick their major based on passion or money? 

Students across the world have difficulty in choosing career paths when entering college due to the societal pressures of making money. Students sometimes get shamed for doing what they love due to the salary being low. Whereas, there are a variety of students who choose majors just because of the paycheck. There are many factors in what young adults have to do in order to pick a major in college. There are many factors that come into picking a career.

“I am a psychology major, I picked it because I took AP psychology in high school and I loved it. People talk down on me being a psych major. When my grandma asked what do you want to become when you are older and I told her a psychologist, she goes, ‘What, they don’t make any money’ because there is such this stereotype that psychologists don’t make any money with it but it depends on what you do with it,” said student, Katelyn Curto.

According to a study by Forbes.com, “A total of 55% of respondents said they would have pursued a different college major or career if money were not a factor, according to a survey of 2,000 college seniors and recent graduates. And more than six in 10 – 62% – said the job market influenced their choice of college major.” 

Money can be a huge problem in the modern world where some students are demanded to choose these majors so they can have a better outcome in life. As the younger generation grows, more and more students are realizing the effects of choosing a major. 

According to an Online U study, “Only 29% of Gen Z’s select the ability to pursue their passions as the most important factor in choosing a college, a stark contrast to older generations.”

Students feel less motivated to choose paths that are because of passion. Money is often a priority for people wanting to live a stable life. While picking majors, college students often think about what their parents do and follow their expectations. Some students try to follow the steps of their parents to get the same stability in life. 

“My major is civil engineering, I picked it since my dad did civil. I’m doing this major for money, but it’s not that bad. I feel like I should change it, but I feel like I made progress, and restarting would kill the momentum,” said student, Kel Okpara. 

Staying in a major can be challenging and overwhelming for some. Having only a certain amount of time to pick something that can either make one happy or get that financial stability can be difficult. 

According to Grand Canyon University Studies, “Just over six out of every 10 Americans that chose a degree for love feel regretful of that decision. Similarly, 65% of Americans changed occupations to a field unrelated to their college major. The top reason cited for this change was financial stability and a higher income, so in the end, money does play a major role.”

Navigating a life-term career can be difficult for students who want a high income and pick something that will get their bills paid instead of something they love. As generations pass, more and more students realize the pros and cons of picking a major off of passion or money. Even though money can play a major role, why not do something you love? Picking a major is what allows college students to embrace the things they love. 

“I am a psychology major and I picked it because of my interest in how the human mind works. I am doing it for passion because I want to become a counselor and help kids,” said student Robert Toomey. 

Many students have different reasons for picking certain majors. Some want to continue on what makes them happy and others want to be satisfied with their job salary. 

According to a Forbes study, “Student debt stands at a record $1.52 trillion, with the average recent graduate owing $37,172, according to the latest figures. There is no doubt that this weighs heavily on today’s students, who see a high-salaried career as the only way to escape the burden of lifelong debt.”

As decades pass college students are focusing on money to escape the adversity of life. Job markets are changing as years go on and it affects students by what career they should pick. 

“I am a double major in marketing and management. I picked it for the money. Originally I wanted to come to Rowan under communications because I was really passionate about TV, film, and photography, but I knew that wouldn’t really get me that far in life because that was more of a hobby of mine and I felt like I needed something that the job market was high,” said student Johnna Wilkerson. 

In picking a degree, students have to be reminded that it is not bad to pick something that they are passionate about. There are many degrees out there that can fulfill all of the factors in life. Many stereotypes are made when making a career choice but picking something that you love is not bad either.

“I want to do something that I love. If I do something that is for the money, I know I would get tired of it. If I can make a living out of it and not be super poor and struggle then yes that is what I want to do,” said Curto. 

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