Imagine selecting a different major
Many people retrace their steps along memory lane to their highly anticipated milestones of accomplishment and what led them there. For example, attending university or starting a career. I also reflect on my past, and I consider what would have happened if I had made different decisions. If the opportunity was afforded me to relive any moment in the past, I would choose my third year of high school. I will explain why I want to return to my final year in high school.
First, I would change my major to Computer Engineering. I am high-tech and computer-savvy. I have assisted my colleagues in fixing their glitches or problems with their computers. Furthermore, I am deeply interested in computers and the IT field. When I was in elementary school, my father advised me to learn how to use a computer so I enrolled in an additional computer class at my school where I learned basic things about Microsoft Office suite, programs and computers. I often bought a monthly PC magazine in order to stay abreast of the trends. After I entered middle school, however, I focused on my studies, not computers. In high school, I liked to study chemistry and my father encouraged me to major in Chemical Engineering. As a result, I received a Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering. The use of electronic devices has been exponentially growing ever since I was a freshman in 2007. Sometimes I imagine working in the IT field. That area would be the best fit for me, where I can yield a higher result, and may be even more satisfied with my work. For example, I would be excited about developing a useful mobile application such as Whatsapp or an anti-virus program such as Avast. As a result, I question my decision, and wonder if I should have chosen a different major at university.
Second, I would plan ahead, and look forward to my future in earnest. Most Koreans apply for a university or a major based on their grades because they are simply told to study hard, and they do not have enough time to consider their future careers deeply. I was one of those. I also studied hard in order to achieve good grades in exams and attend a decent university. Yet I regret not thinking about my future seriously when I was in high school. I chose Chemical Engineering as my major due to my interest in chemistry and my father’s advice. I should have searched more deeply within myself to select my major and future career. Variables I should have considered include major subjects, expected careers for specific majors, my passions and interests and my expected annual salary. In my optimal scenario, while at high school, I would have discovered what exactly I was supposed to study, and meet professional alumni with jobs directly related to my desired major. These actions, connections and set-ups would definitely have helped me choose a right major and career. Even though employment opportunities have been scarce in Korea, there are many entry-level staff who leave their jobs within one year. This is largely due to the fact that they have not deeply considered their future careers nor what would happen to them at work. Students who are well-informed about their work and careers will not easily leave their jobs. My in-depth research into majors and careers would have allowed me to find the fulfilled, meaningful and successful future that fits me.
In conclusion, I have explained my reasons for returning to my third year of high school. I have seen many people whose jobs are irrelevant to their university majors. I am certain that they strive to exceed their competitors, who, unlike them, were prepared for their jobs as soon as they graduated from their universities. Indeed, no one wants to spend resources on a major not pertaining to their career. Consequently, if I were to relive my third year in high school, I would thoughtfully consider my aptitude, interests and expected career path, and select my major of Computer Engineering.