Happiness Ages Well: How to Choose Joy Over Wealth by Sarah

Happiness Ages Well: How to Choose Joy Over Wealth by Sarah - April 2016 Scholarship Essay

As a Freshman at UC Davis, I quickly realized that I loved my college, but did not love my major. The revelation was a surprise; since childhood, I had fantasized about becoming a veterinarian, turning my bedroom into a clinic for my sick stuffed animals and calling on my dad/assistant to gather my supplies for surgery (generally a plastic knife, Band-Aids, and some sewing thread). My parents boasted proudly to their friends about their daughter, the future vet, and once accepted into the best Animal Science university in California, their pride swelled over. My career path seemed set in stone. However, volunteering at my local vet clinic should have been the first indication that things were not right. Even while I could bear the bites, scratches, and slobber, I did not feel excited about the practice and often left feeling dismayed that I was not enjoying the experience. As college neared, I tried my best to be optimistic about my future, but after one academic quarter, my façade fell. I received my first ever failing grade, was terribly unhappy, and knew that I could no longer feign love for my chosen field. The subsequent decision to change majors was extremely difficult, resulting in the loss of friends who didn’t support the move and an initial feeling of uncertainty about my future. However, the switch improved my overall life drastically. After finding my true passion (working to better society), I noticed that I felt more satisfied with my education, had found stronger support systems, and graduated in the top ten percent of my class. Thus, I highly encourage young students to consider the career path that promises a lifetime of joy instead of a lifetime of financial stability or prestige.

One of the earliest hurdles to finding fulfillment in my education was the fear of letting down my family. With so many of my family members rooting for me to become a vet, I couldn’t shake the feeling that they would be disappointed when I admitted my passion for working in the public sector. After building up the courage to tell my earliest supporter, my dad, I realized how unfounded my worries were. My loved ones simply wanted me to have the happiest life possible, even if that meant I would give up a high-paying job after college. For the first time, I understood that my well-being was the most valuable aspect of my professional future. By overcoming that fear and choosing a different path, I committed to taking care of my well-being in a way that would allow me a lifetime of happiness.

Another benefit of pursuing a different career path was my ability to build stronger relationships with my peers. This was extremely important to me after experiencing the alienation of being in a Chemistry class of three hundred students, all more focused on their own success than helping others. With a professor who cared more about his own published work than teaching the material, I quickly felt overwhelmed. Reaching out to on-campus tutors didn’t seem to help much: at a STEM-dominated university, teaching foundational knowledge was simply too time-consuming for their busy schedules. I wondered whether I would ever make meaningful connections in college if I couldn’t even get help with my assignments. As soon as I began exploring the humanities, all of that changed. My new department advisor welcomed me warmly, taking the time to walk me through various academic opportunities and inspiring me with her passion. Each connection I made after that was just as fulfilling. When I shared my true interests with like-minded people in my new field, they responded with support and a willingness to help me reach my goals. I subsequently felt more confident to forge connections and became a more active member on campus. I had stumbled upon a great advantage of following my passion: a branching and strong support system of people with similar goals. Even a few years after graduation, I know that I can reach out to my former professors and peers for help, simply because we were able to connect over shared interests.

Once my decision had been made to pursue a different career, my academic success improved significantly. By taking classes in which I was truly interested, I looked forward to attending lectures and assignments didn’t seem like work. For the next three years, I would repeatedly qualify for Dean’s List recognition and later be accepted to a competitive AmeriCorps program as well as three top-tier graduate programs. I knew that this improvement would not have been possible without my new-found support systems and excitement for my future.

Since graduating, I have often thought back on my time as an undergraduate student, feeling fortunate to have such fond and proud memories of my alma mater. If I had not built up the courage to make the change for a better future, I may have left UC Davis dissatisfied and facing a career that would not bring me fulfillment or happiness. Thus, to any young student attempting to make the important choice to pursue a career field, I strongly recommend that the final decision be made out of genuine personal interest. By choosing a profession that promises joy and excitement over simply wealth, any student can be assured that his or her academic experience will be filled with personal satisfaction, flourishing support systems, and a lifetime of success.