College students are facing tremendous pressure. This goes beyond commonly noted obstacles such as money, jobs, personal discovery and finding balance between work and a social life.
Students feel pressure to not only succeed in a field but excel in a way that makes them stand out among hundreds of peers. This competitive outlook leaves no room for uncertainty or second guessing. Perhaps that is why many dread the question, “What’s your major?”
During my time thus far as a journalism student at ASU, about a dozen of my friends and acquaintances already have switched majors. This came as a surprise to me, especially because the majority of these students were particularly enthusiastic about journalism.
Once they started regularly going to journalism classes and gained a more in-depth understanding of the field, they realized it was not what they anticipated.
According to the National Association of Colleges and Employers, only 66 percent of college students pick majors according to what interests them. “There can also be outside pressure to major in a certain subject. Perhaps the freedom that college offers allows students to open their minds a bit and explore other opportunities,” said Emily Walter, an academic success specialist for ASU’s Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication, in an e-mail interview.
Other motivation includes external pressure from family members or the potential for higher earnings. So many students seem to succumb to the idea of a fat paycheck and put their dreams and interests on hold for the sake of monetary success.
Although the idea may seem practical, a country filled with unsatisfied workers who are wishing to do something else is downright depressing. Regardless of the reasons behind why majors change, the phenomenon does pose some questions.
According to msnbc.com, Fritz Grupe, founder of MyMajors.com, recently said that 50 percent of students change majors; this often occurs multiple times.
With the ridiculous cost of tuition and books only rising, perhaps the prestigious undergraduate colleges are not always worth the investment. Unless a student is fully committed to a specific field, is there any point in shoveling tens of thousands of dollars into a particular program?
Furthermore, is it better to test the waters of academia before completely committing to a major, only to be left disappointed and broke?
“Whether you start in a major that isn’t for you, discover your passion through an exploratory program or end up not switching at all, eventually you’ll be confident about your choice,” Walter explained.
In the end, it is up to the individual. Some people may even enjoy the process of trying out various majors if they can afford to. No matter the student, major, or earning potential, real value lies in choosing the most fulfilling direction.
Contact Isabelle at inovak@asu.edu
