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Would it be better to go after a high paying career that is difficult to be accepted in to, or go after a career that is easy to be accepted in to, but with bad pay

I am stuck between majors. I want to major in the psychology field and them go into criminal profiling, but I also want to major in art education in secondary schools. The criminal profiling field pays extremely well in most states, but selection for the training and actual job is difficult to get in to. Art education is much easier to get in to job wise (due to the high demand for teachers), but has a lower pay.
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John’s Answer

I would suggest thinking about the other aspects of a job other than the main function. For example, a big part of being a programmer might be being able to work on your own, whereas a big part of accounting, and most jobs is working with people and communicating effectively, although these skills would be useful in any job. Alternatively, maybe you want a job that's more hands-on like being a mechanic.
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Renee’s Answer

Hi Katelyn,

I would suggest you look closely at the job markets local to you.. I have close friends who have degrees in art education, and were forced to take positions in towns they had no close ties to, or any interest in living in, because there weren't any art teaching positions open closer to them. While teachers are always in demand, arts programs are typically the first cut when any district is forced to make budget cuts. Even if there is funding for arts programs in those districts isn't cut, there is often only 1 studio arts teacher per school.

If possible, try to shadow someone in each of those fields for a day or more. Be sure to ask very practical questions about their educational debt, pay scale progression, discretionary income (how much money they have left over after paying their bills, including adding to their savings) and what their day to day looks like in practice. Think about what kind of life you want to live in the future, then compare how the lives of professionals in each of those fields align with how you see yourself.

Don't shy away from a challenge! You're going to be great, I know it.
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Michael’s Answer

Hi Katelyn,


This is certainly a difficult thing to figure out. Ultimately what I would advise is to pursue what you are most passionate about. If criminal profiling is what you are most passionate about then go for it with all of your might. Do whatever you can to set yourself up to have a job upon graduation. Keep your grades up, stay close with your professors, discuss job prospects with your peers, proactively market your resume` to job all over the country, go to networking events, see if you can get an internship and see if you can get some sort of referral. The more you can do to prop yourself up for success, the more likely you will have a job following graduation, even if it is difficult to obtain a job in that field.


Thanks!


Mike
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AJAY’s Answer

Like with most of the things in life - there are 3 variables : what pays best? what you are good at? and what you love doing? And your answer will always be some sort of a meeting for the 3. And it will change throughout your life. But in general when starting your career it's better to focus on what you really enjoy unless there are financial challenges in which case Money becomes the top priority. Good Luck.
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Katie’s Answer

Hey there!

I think the question really is what are you passionate about? From there, you can find the money. There are markets where teachers make well over $130K a year. You could consider looking into the markets that are higher paying (NYS for example), from there it depends if you want to be a teacher or take part in going the administrative route (super, asst super etc). My great friend is a librarian, she takes advantage of subbing in for teachers during a period they need off, coaches girls tennis, coaches boys tennis, and runs the middle school play each year. She also runs some of the clubs at school. I know she is over the $100K mark. She decided to become more involved for additional pay and it works for her. But, she passionate about what she does, she loves it and she loves her students. If the desire isn't there the motivation to do these things may not be there. Think about what you want!

Katie
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Eleanor’s Answer

Another thing to keep in mind when comparing salaries for different industries and different locations, is that salary is relative to the cost of living for where you need to be to earn that salary. For example $100,000/year in NYC versus $100,000/year in Syracuse, NY - two very different experiences! Where are the jobs for each of these industries? Do you want to be there? What does a typical day-in-the-life look like? Are either of those jobs going to require you to sacrifice more than you want in personal time and family life? Lastly, whatever decision you make, it is not permanent. You can change your mind and switch careers later in life! Don't feel like you have to have your entire life planned out before you graduate college (or start college!).
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