The Myth of the “Practical” Career Path

How about choosing what to do for the rest of your life on a random Tuesday when you are 17?

To top that off, we have over-bearing –super-stressed parents held at gunpoint by “well-wishers”.

“Why this major? You could’ve chosen something better. There is no scope in this, beta. Have a respectable profession.”

“Why don’t you choose something others are doing, something better?”

Aren’t these the questions that haunt every student who studies in fields considered “unemployable” by society? Subjects like Art, History, English, Philosophy, or other humanities fields are often seen as backup options, pursued only when everything else fails.

Choosing a major can feel like fighting a battle on an empty ground, with no chance of winning back, as your opponents inflict impermissible damage with just their words; wounds that cut deeper than swords. For a student who chooses a major less appreciated or less known in society, an academic decision turns into what feels like a crime, one that needs to be justified in the court of public opinion.

Choosing a major that suits you requires deep introspection and contemplation over countless possibilities. But even after all these hurdles, the biggest challenge remains: gaining affirmation from society for your choice in degree.

What Gives Rise to the Fear?

The roots of this fear sprout early, right when the seeds are sown. From the moment we begin our education, we’re taught about “respectable” career options, and we internalize notions about the hierarchy that exists among professions.

The cycle continues through our parents’ reaffirmations, the education system, and the way society glorifies these so-called reputable career paths. And by the time we’re old enough to make our own choices, we’ve been conditioned to choose only what has been glorified since the beginning.

The Safe Bet Trap

This surplus fear surely binds us in a trap, but our own inconsistency also keeps us from discovering ourselves. The right career choice should always align with our interests and passions.

But in this belittling society, we fail to make space for our hobbies and goals. So when the clock hits twelve, we’re left to pick from the options others throw at us, making the “safe bet.”

Imagine a girl who loves storytelling or a boy who finds joy in embroidery. How will they ever find their niche if all their time goes into solving numericals all night?

And even if they do know their true interests, well-intentioned parents and esteemed schools rarely ever touch upon these “sensitive” topics.

The Myth of the Linear Path

The desire for a simple, linear path isn’t wrong. People naturally feel drawn to the easier choice.

If all your friends and family are following one pattern, why would you be the one to break away and take the path less traveled?

But it’s high time we dispel this myth and choose the path that truly proves worthwhile for us.

Because of our obsession with comfort, we fold our choices and pick something “mature” according to society’s standards.

Yet, the profanity of choosing something you don’t love also reflects a poor attempt to fight for what you say you love.

The True Currency

It may feel like a herculean task to gain society’s approval for your choices, however, acceptance first needs to come from within.

The definition of stability must change. It should not mean just another fixed, high-paying job, but rather, adaptability to different situations. In this rapidly advancing world, where people chase the gilded illusion of rote specialization and abstract theories, the real currency lies in the skills sidelined by our flawed education system.

Skills like critical thinking, complex communication, creativity, and ethical reasoning are the need of the hour. These skills bloom best under theoretical subjects often dismissed as “unrealistic.”

Philosophy teaches us to question. Literature teaches us empathy. Art teaches us perspective. While other subjects may also impart these values, they are central to these disciplines, and we should know that Art and Science have always walked hand in hand.

The true currency lies in devoting your time to developing skills in areas you are passionate about, rather than wasting effort in fields that only make others content.

The Final Reckoning

So where does this lead us?

It’s true we can’t just magically erase all our internal fears or the stigma caused by societal pressure.

It’s also true that finding a financially stable job is difficult in this economy, but it can be argued that living an authentic life and pursuing something you love is a far healthier option.

Of course, there is no doubt that privilege plays a part when it comes to choosing your education, but more often than not, some of us find ourselves being STEM majors despite our interests lying in something like Linguistics or Sociology, all because we were too scared to go against the expectations of our parents and the society at large.

We often feel inclined to choose the path everyone approves of. But the “safe bet” is, ironically, the riskiest bet of all. Even if it seems practical now, thirty years down the line, you might be haunted by not having tried to reach your fullest potential in something you actually would have loved to do. Maybe you wouldn’t be stuck in a dead end corporate job. Maybe you could have monetised your passion, instead of joining the rat race.

Your degree is not a pre-written destiny—it’s something you choose out of your own free will.

Because you wouldn’t wish for a life that resembles everyone else’s.

Let the critical thinking of the philosopher be your guide, the narrative power of the storyteller be your voice, and the historical insight of the historian be your compass.

Your life is your own book, and every chapter should feel like a story untold.