Passion vs Practicality: Blake Seniors Discuss Major Plans

Over the summer, the Trump Administration cut federal loans for college majors with low-income graduates. This means that students studying typically low-paying fields such as art, music, cosmetology, social work, and religious studies will no longer receive loans for college from the federal government.

Officials from the U.S. Department of Education claim the decision was made to protect students from taking on debt they won’t be able to repay. However, the cuts seem to disproportionately affect humanities fields and lower-income students. For instance, a student from a low-income background with an interest in the arts would have a very difficult time paying for their college education. 

As a result, students might be prompted to choose a major outside of their passion so that they’re able to sufficiently pay for college. But studying something outside of one’s interest isn’t necessarily setting one up for success, despite the potential economic benefits. 

So, how does this impact students at Blake High School? Blake seniors are currently in the middle of the college application process and must decide on a major before submitting any applications. As a Signature School for the Arts and Humanities, it’s no surprise that a significant number of students at Blake High School have an interest in artistic and humanities-focused careers. 

Future musical theater major Cydney Wilson, a Blake senior, was asked how the federal loan cuts are affecting her decision to major in an endangered field. In response, she stated that it’s “quite scary thinking about . . . how much a degree or a [Bachelor of Fine Arts] in musical theater can and will cost.” She also emphasized that it’s now becoming necessary to apply for all different kinds of scholarships just “so [she] can get some money” for college. 

However, Cydney is aware of the risks associated with a musical theater career. She described it as having to “throw your net into the ocean and see what you can catch.” While musical theater definitely has a  “luck of the draw” aspect, Cydney is choosing to follow her passion and simply hoping for the best.

But what about for students choosing traditionally high-paying areas of study? 

Senior Gebriele Bisrat claimed that while her major of choice, biomedical engineering, is one of the “most growing fields right now,” people shouldn’t base their decision entirely on job prospects. She advised students to “definitely choose something you love,” encouraging them to “imagine doing something you don’t like forever” just for the sake of a salary.

Additionally, Nicol Morales, another senior and a future Political Science with Economics major, shared that she’s “interested in helping everyone.” In her case, “money doesn’t really matter” as much as a genuine motivation to make a positive difference in the world.

Clearly, students across science and arts interests alike seem to feel that following one’s passion is the thing to do when choosing a college major. But does this belief hold up for those who’ve already gone through the college process?

Blake Principal Ahmed Adelekan was also asked for his thoughts on the topic. As someone was pressured into studying fields he had no true interest in, engineering and computer science, before transitioning to his passions of TV production and education, Principal Adelekan “would tell students to always follow [their] passion” while still considering “how that interest is going to put food on your table, clothes on your back, and feed you.”

“The reality is you have to balance the two,” Mr. Adelekan concluded. 

For those who aren’t sure what they want to study, Mr. Adelekan suggested that as unique individuals with unique talents, we all must “figure out how [to] take those talents and connect [them] to something that you can actually use to sustain yourself.” 

Overall, it seems that while the cuts in federal loans can seem disheartening, it’s important to follow strong passions and values while still remaining flexible to any opportunities that may arise. Yes, earning enough money to have a stable life is certainly important, but so is spending one’s time doing work that’s at least somewhat enjoyable, interesting and fulfilling.

As Nicol Morales asserted, “If your job isn’t really your passion, you won’t get anywhere in life.”