While not everyone can have an educated conversation about fiscal policy or the United State’s GDP per capita in 2019, everyone has had experience with money.  The economy is defined by the Oxford dictionary as, “the wealth and resources of a country or region, especially in terms of the production and consumption of goods and services.” From the day we’re born, we begin consuming products. The diapers, bottles, and all the other products bought in preparation, contributed to the economy. Today, we are college students, throwing money at an institution that will hopefully provide us with an education that will allow us to live comfortable lives. 

I interviewed five friends here at UD, all with different majors. I asked each of them, “Do you think people pick majors that are going to make money rather than what interests them?” Ryan replied bluntly, “People pick their majors based on what matters to them.” He makes a good point. Income is a thought in everyone’s mind when thinking about their future careers. However, picking a major solely off the fact that you’ll make six figures eventually is not the right way to go about it. Picking a career that doesn’t interest you is a set up for misery. If you love your job, you’ll never work a day in your life and I think that means more than the paycheck you receive at the end of the day. But as Ryan said, it really just depends on what matters to you. 

Hannah, an early childhood education major, told me about the judgment she’s received because of the career she wants to pursue. “Yep, I get judged all the time. It’s mostly my family members warning me that teachers don’t make a lot of money. It’s not supposed to be rude, but it’s backhanded in a way.” As we talked about in class, there’s a stereotype that teachers don’t make a lot of money. It blows my mind that people, especially family members, express such judgments so outright. Education is so important, and educators are necessary. The passion that almost all elementary teachers have for education is inspiring and shouldn’t be overlooked because of their income. “My parents have always been supportive. I know a lot of people don’t get that from their parents.” Hannah’s remarks tie into what Ryan said. What matters to Hannah is her passion for teaching and her love of children while her extended family doesn’t see it that way. 

I was pleased by the passion which drove my friends to pick their majors rather than monetary reasons. Hoping the investment in education pays off, comfortability is certainly possible when you have a passion and hard work on your side.