Students choose their majors: Based on personal interest or current trends?

(Dan Tri Newspaper) - Choosing a major has become a difficult decision for many students. Should they pursue their passion or follow market trends? This is a decision that will shape their four years of university and lay the foundation for their long-term career.

High school seniors and the ambiguous choices they face on the threshold of college.

Many 12th-grade students are still confused, unsure of what field they love, what their strengths are, and what the most suitable path is. "I'm really confused, not sure of my strengths or passions," shared Pham Minh Anh, a 12th-grade student in Ba Dinh district ( Hanoi ), when asked about her career path.

As the exam approaches, many students still choose their major based on what their friends are doing or what's trending, rather than on self-understanding. Nguyen Van Dung, a student at a high school in Bac Tu Liem district (Hanoi), admitted: "I chose information technology because I saw many of my friends choosing it, and also because it's a hot field and easy to find a job in. But actually, I'm not very good at computer science; I just thought I'd study it later."

Conversely, Nguyen Thu Hang ( Nghe An ), a student passionate about painting, shared: "I really like graphic design, but I'm afraid it's difficult to find a job in this field, and the income isn't stable. I want to pursue my passion, but I'm also afraid of being unemployed."

Based on feedback from many 12th-grade students, it's clear that the majority are still struggling to choose between various opinions, from personal interests and abilities to career paths. These impulsive and passive choices are becoming a major obstacle to their studies and future development.

High school seniors are confused about career choices (Photo: AI)

Should you choose a field of study based on your interests or current trends?

With the high school graduation exam and university entrance exam approaching, choosing a major is a major concern for many 12th-grade students. Many young people face a crucial crossroads in life but are confused between two choices: studying a field they love or pursuing a "hot" field that offers good job prospects and income?

Ms. Cao Le Truc, a specialist in the training department of a university in Ho Chi Minh City, shared: "This is a problem without a single formula. There is no right path for everyone, because each student has a different starting point in terms of conditions, abilities, awareness, and living environment. Choosing a major should not simply be about chasing the market or blindly clinging to passion."

According to Ms. Truc, if students choose a field entirely based on trends, they may find it easier to get a job after graduation, but they face the risk of not staying in the profession long-term if they lack passion. Conversely, if they rely solely on personal interests while ignoring market factors, they are very likely to face unemployment or unstable income.

Many young people only see the surface of a profession, such as attractive salaries or its "trendiness" on social media, without understanding the nature of the work, what it entails, or whether they are truly suited for it.

Conversely, some people harbor dreams of pursuing art, creativity, or research without ever asking themselves: are they ready to accept a long and uncertain journey, especially in the initial stages?

Should you choose a field you love, or one that society needs? (Image: AI)

How can we find a balance?

Balancing personal interests with the demands of the labor market is no simple task, but according to Ms. Truc, it is entirely solvable if students understand themselves well and receive early guidance.

Ms. Cao Le Truc stated: "One should not absolutize choosing a major based solely on passion or market demand. A sustainable choice is one that intersects personal interests, abilities, and future career trends."

Ms. Truc further explained that at the age of 17-18, most students are still in the process of self -discovery , so uncertainty is understandable. Therefore, instead of hastily choosing a major based on popular trends, students need time to thoroughly research different professions through practical experiences, career counseling at school, or self-assessment through their studies.

It's not advisable to choose only "hot" majors at a particular time, because the job market is always changing. "A field might be in demand now, but the picture will be different 4-5 years after graduation. Besides, it's necessary to comprehensively update market information, avoiding a one-sided view of professions based on short posts on social media."

"Choosing a major isn't about choosing a label to wear, but about choosing a long journey with effort, training, and sacrifice. Choose a major where you can study well, work well, and make a comfortable living. When you have all three of these elements, you will have the motivation to see it through," emphasized Ms. Cao Le Truc, M.Sc.

Van Anh

Source: https://dantri.com.vn/giao-duc/si-tu-dat-but-chon-nganh-hoc-theo-so-thich-hay-xu-huong-20250511221226686.htm