As someone who frequently worried about getting bored later in life of the job or college major they had chosen, it was always encouraging to hear Confucious’s famous quote tossed around while I was growing up that said, “If you choose a job [or college major] you love, you’ll never have to work a day in your life.”
However, the older I got, the less encouraging this quote became. Suddenly, Confucius’s once empowering quote began to take on a new meaning, and instead of being encouraged to follow your dreams and pursue a dream job, the quote began to read, “Choose a job [or major] you love and you’ll never have to work a day in your life because that field probably isn’t hiring.”
At first glance, the quote is pretty funny. But if you’re like me, on the second or third read, that quote begins to hit a little too close to home.
As a whole, there are over 1,800 college majors to choose from in the United States. From biomedical sciences to fashion merchandising and everything in between, there truly is something for everyone. So, with so many options, how are you supposed to ensure you choose a job or major you love without sacrificing a paycheck?
Really, when it comes down to it, it’s simple. If you’re undecided about what college major you’ll choose, ask yourself the following questions and then begin to picture yourself in the shoes of someone who is doing the job you wish to have.
For me, the college major in question was Public Relations, and after seeing the answers to these questions, I think it will be evident that I made the right choice in choosing to pursue my degree in Public Relations Communication.
What is public relations?
According to the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA), “Public relations is a strategic communication process that builds mutually beneficial relationships between organizations and their publics.” Public relations is a fast-paced field, which combines different media-related jobs in order to manage and maintain public perception of specific individuals, companies, things, places or events. From research, planning, communication, and evaluation, to strategies and tactics, public relations employs all types of methods to get to the end goal.
What has sparked your interest in public relations?
It’s possible your interest in public relations came from a past school course you have taken or a personal experience you have had. Maybe outside influences such as family or friends have encouraged you to pursue a degree in public relations because they think it would be a good fit for you. For me, my interest in public relations came from my love of people, my drive to maintain quality relationships, and my desire to tell a good story.
What type of job can I have with a degree in public relations?
If you pursue a degree in public relations, you could pursue a career as a content writer, social media manager, public relations specialist, publicity manager, communications planner, marketing coordinator, event planner, and many others. While all of these careers are different in their own ways, they all have one thing in common: understanding, writing, and sharing about how companies, organizations, and the people they serve can have the best relationships possible. On average, public relations professionals make between $60,000 to $80,000 per year and get to be a part of incredible projects and adventures along the way.
A career in public relations can take you a very long way, and if the qualities mentioned above sound intriguing to you, a career in public relations could very possibly be the next right step for you to take.
So, with over 1,800 different majors available to you in the United States, I encourage you to take the two Confucius quotes to heart and see where they lead you. If you meet them in the middle, a career in Public Relations is exactly what you’ll find.