Which field of study to chose to earn maximum $$$

Every year, millions of students have a hard time deciding which field to study. "Should I pursue Medical or Non-Medical?", "Should I chose Arts or Commerce?"

Various studies confirm that most people don't work in the field of study they graduated. In fact, according to a research study, only 27.3% of people work in a profession related to their chosen field of study. 

I don't have any data, but I guess that only 10% of engineers work in the field related to their major. I, for one, am a Mechanical Engineer and only factory I have been in after my graduation is my brother's - to play Table Tennis. 

But that's not all. Most people who work in their field of study don't necessarily love their job. 

Given how much time we spend agonizing over which major to choose for "our perfect life plan", it doesn't seem to work very well. 

The field of choice should partially be governed by the economic factors, but shouldn't be the only factor, which it often is. I know this because whenever anybody asks for advice - the question they ask me is “Which field has the highest scope?”.

So I know they are thinking $$ when they ask for advice.

However, they seem to miss the bigger question:

What does your heart say?

I don’t mean to sound woo-woo, but that’s an important question. I am as left brained, INTP personality,  as it gets, and yet I ask to “follow your heart”. It's not without a sound logic.

When I say “What does your heart say?”, I mean look at your skills, what you love to do, what are the things you are naturally good at which others find difficult.

What are the areas in which you will have a natural edge over others with little practice?

What’s one area in which you can work hard, and smart, and it will bear results?

Everybody’s got that one thing at least which sets them apart from others. Even if that’s not the case, there are always some things which you can do better than other things. 

If you decide by answering these questions, following that path is more likely to lead to success and happiness. 

But..

That’s not to say that you won’t face difficulties.

I didn't find my passion for working with computers until late into my mechanical engineering. But once I did, I fought to follow my passion. And when I say "passion," I don't mean that I particularly love computers (but I do). I noticed that it came naturally to me. The same things everybody found hard were just obvious to me. So I knew I can be better than most at it. It wasn't easy to learn everything again and simply discard four years of Mechanical Engg subjects study but in the long run, it's well worth it. I am better off not only financially but I do what I love every day. I probably put more work per day than my peers, but the work doesn't feel like work because I have so much fun doing it.

Following your heart is the most logical thing you can do for your career. Tweet

There is overcrowding and stiff competition everywhere. However, if the choice is made considering all the factors mentioned above, you will have better will to fight the odds against you. 

What do you think? Which field of study will you chose or already have chosen, and why? Let me know in the comments.