College.......

One of the most important lessons a parent can teach their child is: Choose your major well. The importance of selecting a major that has practical applications in the real world cannot be emphasized enough.

Passion alone is not enough to be successful

My undergaduate major was Sociology, with concentrations in Research Methods and Statistics. I selected this major because I loved the subject matter and, although I knew it had no practical use outside of the scholastic environment, I went ahead anyway--since I planned on going to Law School right after undergrad.

Right? WRONG!

As i neared my senior year of college, I began to veer away from the law field and selected technology and business as my graduate pursuits. I took enough classes in each subject to get into a very good program involving both subjects; however, until I finished the program, I had to work.

1st. Sign of an Impractical Major

It took me 4 months to find a job in my field after graduation. Throughout college I worked as a full-time Overnight Security Officer, so--after telling all my co-workers that I was graduating college--imagine their reaction when I was still working security 4 months later. If i had a nickel for every time i heard "Matt, didn't you graduate?" or "Matt, If you have a degree, what are you doing here?"

2nd Sign of an Impractical Major

When I did find a job in my "field," it was in the facet of my field with which i was highly unfamiliar. My undergrad studies focused mostly on harcore research, calculations, and statistical software i.e. SPSS and others. This job I found after graduation was a Counseling Position. As in, counseling troubled teenage girls ages 16-22 who had been through a traumatic experience. I hated that job, and I didn't not care about the clients I was counseling. The worst part is--they could easily tell that I cared nothing for their well-being. I would give them the cookie cutter response and kick them out my office. i'm not sure if i helped anyone while at that job, and i honestly don't care.

Motivation

Graduate School saved me from misery. Taking up the business and technology fields for my Masters Degrees got me into a career with the Federal Government that i absolutely love. I get to use my analytical skills acquired in my major, so I finally have an opportunity to utilize what I learned and enjoy it. You would be surprised how much your attitude towards your job affects your performance.

Summation

I told that story to make it apparent that if you do not select a major wisely, life will be hard once you graduate. I struggled for a while after graduation financially. Why? Becasue there simply is no need for Sociology outside of the research and data analysis worlds-and to become a part of one of those worlds, one must have a graduate-level or higher degree. For those of you who are in college, or getting ready to do to college, heed my words well. Select Your Major, NOT based solely on to your innate passions; select your major based on what will offer you a comfortable life after graduation. I no longer struggle, and i literally make 3 times as much as i did when i first finished college; however, as with anything else worth doing--it is not an easy road to tread. You can always use grad school to pursue your passions, but for your undergraduate education, BE PRACTICAL.