Annie Lane

Dear Annie: I’m in my last year of a pre-university study program and need to choose a university program in a couple of months. The problem is that I haven’t the slightest idea of what I want to do. This decision is going to affect the rest of my life, and I feel incredibly unprepared. Of course, there are the programs my parents want me to go into such as accounting or economics, which would guarantee a high salary. I don’t think I would enjoy those high-paying jobs, though.

I really like social sciences, but I know I’ll never get money from studying one of those majors. I don’t even know what jobs are in those fields. I want to have enough money to travel and go to concerts. But if I don’t like my job, is it worth it? I also don’t know if I’d enjoy my life if I couldn’t do things because I don’t have the money.

My sister just got out of university and is having a very hard time finding a job, which makes me nervous. What if I put in all this work at the university and don’t get a job at the end? — Stressed-Out Student

Dear Stressed-Out Student: How do you know you will never get any money by studying social sciences, or that you will make so much money in doing something that you might not enjoy?

As Mark Twain said: “Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.”

You are at a great time in your life to do just that. You can explore many options while in college. At most universities, you can take some courses in accounting or those majors that result in higher-paying “safe” jobs, and you can also take some courses in social sciences. Visit the career counseling office at your college to discuss this with someone who helps students with these questions.

As an adult, money and freedom will come to you with ease if you are living a fulfilled life, not if you are living for other people — including your parents.

Editor’s note: Send your questions for Annie Lane to dearannie@creators.com. To find out more about Annie Lane and read features by other Creators Syndicate columnists and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com.