As the school year comes to an end, students struggle with exams but, most importantly, with what their future will hold. How does one choose their career, or even know if it is what they want to do? Lots of students have these questions, and they are completely valid.
According to Forbes, “Nearly two-thirds [of college students] are unsure about their future career path, and one in four are struggling to break into the field they thought they’d pursue after graduation.”
It’s completely normal not to know what to do, even if one is about to graduate from college.
Hopefully, this article will assist with discovering one’s career path, as well as some advice for the underclassmen who still have a bright future ahead of them.
First of all, one should never choose a job just for the money. This advice comes from Latin teacher Dr. Andrew Fenton.
“I don’t think that a salary should be the deciding factor in choosing a career,” Dr. Fenton said. “Salary also doesn’t correlate with a career being future-proof, which people can commonly get mixed up with.”
Dr. Fenton also gives a word about finding the right career path.“Finding a career that will provide you with satisfaction will go way beyond how much money you make.”
So, when one thinks about their ideal career, they shouldn’t just associate it with a salary. An ideal career provides satisfaction. Remember: a career choice might dictate one’s whole life; pick a career that will be ideal to work in for a long portion of time.
“Oftentimes, people pursue things based on monetary rewards, like high pay. For me, it’s about being satisfied and being truly fulfilled.”
RAYMOND KRESGE ’27
So if not money, then what should drive the decision for a student? No one answer fits all cases.
“It’s a difficult question, and it’s one that I’ve been pondering for a while now,” Fifth Former Raymond Kresge said. “Oftentimes, people pursue things based on monetary rewards, like high pay. For me, it’s about being satisfied and being truly fulfilled.”
Kresge believes that fulfillment and satisfaction should lead one to pick a career. Kresge also points out that, “There are a lot of programs at Haverford that will propel you into the new world. Limiting yourself to just one career is really cutting yourself off, so keep trying new things to see what you like. Opening yourself to new things helps you discover things you don’t like and like, which may help you find a career that fits.”
Now that choosing a career is a bit clearer, what major should one take in the first place? Should you pick a major based on how broad it is, or should you pick a major that is restrictive but offers a lot in a vertical investment? Spoiler alert: the right major may take ten days or your whole life to decide.
“I haven’t picked my major yet, but I believe that you should try as much as you can,” Kresge said. “Try a lot of things, and if you find new experiences throughout your high school career, you can identify what you like and dislike.”
While picking a major may be stressful, Kresge suggests an alternative approach.
“I don’t think that people should be concerned about their major,” Kresge said. “People fall into the trap of trying to appeal to colleges. I think people should just try things for the sake of trying things, not for the college apps. It’s healthier, more natural, and low-stakes. I found my love for English and literature by letting it come to me naturally.”
The age-old question that most people struggle with is: should you stick around school and get your master’s or doctorate, or should you go straight into the workforce?
“Usually, work experience benefits you way more than getting your doctorate,” Sixth Former Adonai Belete said. “Getting a master’s or even a doctorate [can] make you overqualified [for the job]. [However], doctorates and master’s can help you get into jobs that require that high level of education, as well as higher-up jobs that people without masters can’t reach. At the end of the day, getting your doctorate matters on what path you decide to embark on.”
“It doesn’t matter who did the most clubs; it matters who has their story.”
Cody Luong ’29
So, what should the underclassmen do now, while they still have a few more years until college? These students and teachers have reached a consensus that Belete captures well.
“Make sure you work hard now and get the best grades you can in high school,” Belete said. “Then, go through a route that has reliable job security while being a major that suits you the best.”
Ultimately, deciding on a major isn’t as easy as it might appear to the naked eye. It takes trying new things, finding what you truly like, and finding the career and major that will bring you satisfaction and fulfillment.
As Kresge said, don’t spend too much time worrying about majors and especially future careers for now; most of you have a couple of more years at Haverford. Make sure to set time for yourself, but also find a balance between personal time, extracurriculars, and schoolwork. It doesn’t matter who did the most clubs; it matters who has their story.
Remember: one only lives once. Live a life without regrets.
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