Courses, Not Careers: Experimenting with classes is better than sticking to one subject

“Engineering, AP Chemistry 2 and physics,” one of my classmates rambled on about their classes for next year.

 “I want to take ceramics, but I have to take AP biology and anatomy,” said another, who's aiming for a medical career.

​It had only been one hour since students had received their 2026-27 enrollment sheets, and it was all my lunch table could talk about. 

Coming from every direction, I heard talk of doubling up on sciences, the various electives my friends thought necessary for their future careers and endless grumbling about the classes they wish they could take.

​Every time a classmate mentioned taking two science classes, my friends praised them. When someone mentioned a prerequisite for the CAA, they received nods of understanding from the table.

Yet, every time a class that the group deemed “unserious” was mentioned, such as an art, culinary or music class, it was quickly dismissed by the group as an “easy A” or a “throwaway” class. 

​It’s ridiculous to expect a 15 or 16 year-old to have any idea of what they want to do with their lives and teenagers shouldn't be restricting themselves to only taking classes that align with their career goals.

Experimenting with different areas of study is crucial for teenagers to develop interests and discover career paths that they’re genuinely passionate about. In an Instagram poll of 245 SM East students, 82% said they feel pressured to take classes that relate to their future plans — that’s problematic.

College is the goal for the majority of SM East students, and the pressure to get into a good school puts heightened pressure on students, not only to excel in their classes, but also to carefully select their classes around what degree they want to do and eventually, the career they want to pursue.

​According to Forbes, 80% of career employees aren't passionate about their careers, and the average American works until they are 62 years old. Do you want to spend 40 hours a week, every week, until you're 62 working in a field you aren't passionate about, in a job you dislike, just because you didn't explore enough in high school? I certainly don’t. 

High school is the perfect place to explore different fields. The majority of classes cost little to no money and taking them is risk-free. While it is possible to switch degrees in college, it can cost thousands of dollars and years of your life.

This is why it's so imperative that high schoolers should feel like they have space to explore different fields of study. Instead, there is mounting pressure from counselors, parents and college admissions, for us to focus on a specific career path and take as many classes as possible that align with our ambitions.

It is understandable to desire a renowned job that pays well, but it's important to take into account that achievement and fortune alone cannot give you fulfillment, especially if it means spending every day working a dreary 9-5 you care nothing about.

​Genuine passion and interest are things that can only be found through experience and exploration. Take a drawing class, take a creative writing course, take a class you wouldn't normally think twice about because you could discover a spark of interest that you might never find in a class like AP Microeconomics.

And if students think their calling is something like biotechnology, chase that interest, but remember that just because one might think it's their vocation doesn't mean they’re limited to taking STEM classes. High school is one of the only times in a person's life where they can experience as many subjects as they want, take advantage of that opportunity. 

If you're a student staring down at your enrollment sheet this enrollment season wishing you could take a class besides AP Psychology or investing, I promise it’s okay to go out on a limb and select an elective that you think you may have even the slightest interest in.