I’m usually not one for giving advice, but after several conversations over the past few days with students about the difficulty of choosing majors and careers, often in the face of parental and peer pressure, I met a former student whose experience is worth sharing with new undergraduates.
A story about passion:
Today while walking back from class, a former student caught up and said hello.
– “Hi, Dr. Chris. I was in your Intro to JS last year, sem 1, and I just wanted to thank you. I really enjoyed the class.”
– “Oh, I’m glad you liked it. I didn’t have you in tutorial, so I’m happy you remember my name.”
As we walked, I asked about his major (CNM) and why he chose it: “I guess it was a process of elimination. I didn’t like other majors, and it offered a chance to do Public Relations.”
– “So is that what you hope to do when you graduate, PR?”
– “No, I guess not. (laughs) Actually I don’t really know what I want to do, and I don’t think that just because I do a major I will do that job.”
– “That is what I tell students about majoring in JS. When you graduate, you will finish with a degree from NUS, and to most employers your major will not matter. So, you might as well study something are passionate about in your 3-4 years at NUS.”
– “Ahh (he laughs), I wish someone had told me that earlier. I feel like I’m going through the motions. I think that’s common for us Singaporeans. We just do what is expected.”
Popping over the hill toward the Central Library, he told me that his older brother (an Air Force pilot) recently warned him not to go through the motions to make ends meet, like he was doing. However, when I asked about his passion, he said, “That’s a problem, I guess. I don’t know what it is…”
I wanted to share that story, because…
The point:
1) Don’t choose a major because it is safe or because you think you need a particular major to get a job later. Choose a major because you find the modules fascinating and challenging. The skills you learn will be useful in any job or graduate school program.
2) Don’t wait to find your passion. Whether it be music, blogging, cooking, aerospace engineering, computer programming, architecture, Chinese literature, or Japanese history (or anime, tourism, film, fashion, etc.), don’t ignore your interests. Pursue them with vigor. These will make you an interesting candidate for any job, regardless of your major. Plus, you will make friends with similar interests and love yourself for doing what you love.
3) You are adults that should ask serious questions about your future and the paths that others (even me) may try to map for you. You might one day regret making a decision now based on what is expected of you, but you will never regret following your passion.