Students go into college picking majors that they want to have a career in or expand their knowledge on. Choosing only one major can leave students feeling like they are serving a life sentence and chained to pursuing a degree they didn’t really want in the first place.

Just because a major has careers that pay more money or look good on a resume doesn’t mean it will guarantee you happiness. Taking a major or switching to one you love will benefit you in the long run because  -not only will you be taking classes you are interested in, but it is more likely you’ll will land a job in something you love after graduation.

“I think people really need to pick a major in a career that they can see themselves doing for the rest of their lives and be happy with it,” said junior criminal justice major Shawyan Moosavi. “You want to take something you’re passionate about and you’ll be good at.”

College is a good place to find out you who are, and taking a major you love can help you learn more about yourself and how you want to spend the rest of your working days.

Everybody has strengths; use them as an advantage to land the job of your dreams. When you do, you put more time and effort into being successful. The more you enjoy your major, the more satisfied you will probably be with your job.

“(The graphic design careers) didn’t sound like something that would make me happy, whereas working with children I am always happy,” said sophomore Cynthia Hughes, who switched from graphic design to child development.

The 2012 Graduating Student Survey Report, found at Sacramento State’s Office of Institutional Research, said 72.2 percent of students felt the coursework they learned was relevant to their future careers.

Sometimes it takes shifting your education path to find out what you enjoy. Sometimes simply stumbling upon new, interesting information is what causes students to make a change in their majors.

Sophomore graphic design major Josh Chiavini is thinking about changing to sociology.

“I’m interested in the way the human culture is evolving – I feel like I would be learning more useful things,” Chiavini said.

Changing a major – or double majoring – might sometimes require you to stay in school a little longer. This may sound dreadful, but it can actually be beneficial if you’re looking on the bright side. Even though it might take longer to graduate, it will be worth it because you will feel fulfilled and more engaged as you study something you are interested in rather than something you feel obligated to study.

“I was taking all the right classes and then I just stopped, so some classes were not for (General Education). It was kind of a waste of time, but I guess I need extra units anyway so it kind of worked out,” Hughes said.

Staying in school longer can allow you to build on your resume. Use this opportunity to join clubs or take an internship in your subject field.

Taking more classes also means you get to meet new teachers. Professors get to know you and form relationships, which can be beneficial when obtaining a letter of recommendation.

If you have a passion for something, follow it. Don’t take a major just because it offers a potentially larger salary. Feel free to change your direction to achieve your goals. The choice of how to live your life is yours, so stick with a major you love and enjoy the benefits.