Study What You're Passionate About
People think college is about learning a few skills so you can get a specific job. In reality its actually mostly learning more about yourself.
I've had the opportunity to speak to a wide variety of students, interns, professionals, business owners, and they all agree on the same idea.
"Do what you love, and the money will follow."
Yup, you just got a random colloquialism from me, but let me explain! One challenge I often encounter when students ask me, "What should I study?" is that they tend to focus solely on the potential outcomes of their chosen field. I hear it all the time:
Bethany Watson
"I want to be a lawyer because I want to make money."
"I want to be a Social Media Manager because there's money in it and it doesn't seem stressful."
"I want to be a doctor because I want to help people... and make a ton of money!"
I know that it's a primary motivator for pursuing higher education, whether it's for a higher salary with an advanced degree or entry into a field that requires a bachelor's degree. However, we should be mindful to look for fulfillment in our work, and that's harder to look for in a job posting. To help students and young professionals determine their ideal career path, I use an exercise called the "3 words exercise," which I encourage you to do for yourself and your kids (if you have them).
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