Heart vs. Brain- The Academic Showdown

[FenwickS]

There's this blurry time in your life, right before starting university, when one must ask themselves what one wants to study for the next 3 or 4 years, and potentially choose as their future living. I decided on choosing the subject that will give me the most... well let's call it "occupational stability" for the lack of a better word. This subject happens to be Economics and Management.

After barely one semester of studying E&M I have come to the conclusion that the material isn't supplying me with the mental play-dough I strive for in order to feel that I am developing myself, or in other words, I hate it.
That is why I've decided to study the subject which I truly love: History and Literature. In my country, there aren't many occupations in which I can implement the knowledge, or even make use of that line on my future CV which will read "B.A in History and Literature". Therefore, this decision has led to criticism on part of my parents, and even from my friends. And yet, with minor flies of doubt in my stomach, I feel like I've made the right decision, even if that means sacrificing my future company car for a bus ticket to the movies.

What I would like to know, is what are your views upon studying what you are passionate and love vs. studying what will provide you with the finances which will eventually give you the stability and security to do what you love in your spare time?

[Charles Darnay]

Yes, statistically those who study Finance or management make, on average, more money than those who study History or Literature. But it naïve of you to believe that just because you enroll in Economics and Management, you will have a job. There are plenty of people who are very passionate about economics and management, and who study it because it is what they love to do. It is these people who will get the jobs - not someone who has a piece of paper they don't care about.

There is also plenty that can be done with a B.A in History or Literature. People assume that teacher or lawyer is the only route to go (I realize I may not be helping my case being, as I am, a teacher, but I went into teaching because I wanted to, not because I saw it as a fallback for a useless degree). Anyway - there are so many institutions that require people who can research thoroughly, and write properly.

[FenwickS]

Charles Darnay, that is true, yet I have accidentally omitted that through family connections (my father being an investment manager) I would have probably been able to get a job fairly easily.

I hope and do believe that what you say is correct, I do not wish to become a teacher, I believe I'm not patient enough for it, and it is true that what I see myself doing and enjoying my work is what you have mentioned, a profession which requires research and the ability to read and analyze data. This is a rather broad way of putting it but it is true.

The reason why this is a touchy subject is because of the social-economic instabilities that are in my country currently, basically the degradation of our middle class, which has created an almost cynical view upon what one goes to study, and if one studies the Arts, than he is doomed to a life of poverty (a bit of a dramatization but something of the sort).

[Calidore]

Did you originally take E&M solely because it's your father's vocation, or did you also have an interest at the time you selected it? Does the field itself now seem boring, or is it just the education that's boring? And if the latter, can your father give you some advice to keep your interest?

I ask because if you're convinced that you'd hate every minute of the job itself, even while depositing the paychecks, then that can't be helped. But strictly for practical reasons, a job like that with decent income potential, plus a bonus foot in the door and practical support from your father, is nothing to sneeze at. Especially if you intend to have a family; then you'll have a higher obligation than just to yourself.

Is there any reason you couldn't minor in H&L while pursuing the "safe" option? You could then, for one example, volunteer at a museum in your off time, thus doing what you like and also making connections, which could help land a job in that field eventually.

[cafolini]

Good points by both Charles and Calidore.

[FenwickS]

Calidore, I chose E&M because I thought that through my studies I'd eventually learn to like it. I'm sure that a huge factor of this choice to study E&M is my father, and I do know the practical benefits of my situation and am grateful to have this opportunity, and yet I have found it extremely difficult to find the motivation and stamina to study at my apartment after a long day at uni. Due to my lack of studying I've felt constant guilt and fatigue and my daily routine has become almost unbearable for the past few months.

I find that this lack of motivation, and eventually guilt, comes from a change I've undergone for the past 4-5 years (which is a large chunk of my life, from teens to twenties). I have come too derive pleasure, fulfillment and meaning from internal medias, such as literature and music, basically the arts. that's why I sort of unintentionally have come to disconnect myself from external achievements, and it is mentally difficult for me to face seemingly "daily" challenges, and I lack skills (such as studying abilities and even some basic social ones) which I used to possess, before my "change". In consequence, I have used literature and music as escapism and am doing poorly in my extremely useful studies of E&M.

My logic is that if I am faced with the "material" that helps me feel the movement and development of my "internal" life; I won't feel the need to escape, and my daily routine and challenges I'll face (which I feel motivated to) will be comprised from these relaxants. Even if it means that I won't have the stability I could potentially have had, I think that at this moment I have not the emotional strength to succeed in my exams at E&M and that striving for a degree in such a demanding and difficult degree is beyond my abilities.

This truly is a puzzle for me and I do hope I've made the right decision. I do feel guilty and frazzled and I hope that things get better from now on.