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Choosing a major is one of the most significant decisions for college students to make. In deciding their field of study, many students debate between pursuing degrees in where their talents and interests lie and degrees where the job market is prosperous. While many think it is wise to base the choice of a field of study on the availability of jobs in the field, college students should consider their talents and interests when choosing their majors.

Those who believe that students should choose a major where there are plenty of jobs available argue that making it easier for students to secure a profitable job after graduation and have a successful career. Students who major in fields where there are not many jobs available, such as literature or archeology, are more likely to suffer from unemployment with their degrees and may have to be forced to take up random jobs, such as being a waiter in McDonald’s. Thus, instead of wasting four years on an unpopular major, focusing on a field with more profitable job openings is a better decision considering career success.

However, this argument is based on the assumption that one can consistently predict the availability of jobs in specific fields. In reality, the trends in the job market often fluctuate and change over time and hence is difficult to predict. The industry that seems profitable today may become overly competitive in several years. On the contrary, the industry that seems unpopular today can be of great potential in the future. For example, biology and finance used to be the most popular jobs because of the great number of jobs available. However, since too many students choose to major in these fields, the supply of employees in the industry quickly exceeds the demand, making it especially difficult for students in these majors to find a position. On the other hand, computer science, which used to be one of the most unpopular majors a decade ago, is now the star major. Because the job market is unpredictable, students should pursue majors that they are genuinely passionate about.

Moreover, it is not true that landing a position in a profitable industry will always lead to a more successful career, regardless of one’s interests. Since, in many cases, one’s success depends on her own efforts instead of the industry she chooses. Many elites claim that it is essential to choose a job that one truly enjoys because when one enjoys her job, she will be more motivated to work and hence easier to succeed. On the contrary, if one chooses a profitable career that she hates, it is hard to imagine that she will put extra effort into her job and will be unlikely to excel. In that regard, choosing a career based on one’s interest makes it more likely for one to succeed.

To sum up, although many believe that college students should choose majors based on the availability of jobs in the field, I argue that they should follow their heart and consider their talents and interests, as trends in the job market are hard to predict and it is easier for one to achieve success when one works on fields that she genuinely enjoys.