Within the past few years, the famous saying “money can’t buy happiness” has shifted to “money can buy happiness,” primarily driven by high school students.
It is easy to be influenced by money, especially as overconsumption and inflation continue to wrap people around their fingers.
Research from Stanford University shows that inflation has made a significant impact across the world since 2022. Consumer prices have increased by 9%, compared to an average increase of just 2% in years prior.
With prices skyrocketing globally, many students are making future career decisions based on what offers financial stability. However, this focus on income leads students to pursue jobs solely for the money, often at the expense of their personal interests and talents.
“I want a job that makes a lot of money because I want to be able to buy my parents a lot of stuff when I get older,” sophomore Emily Longua said.
A study published in The Review of Economic Studies found
that people are more likely to put in extra effort when money is an incentive. In the study, over 10,000 people were asked to press the “A” and “B” keys on their keyboard for 10 minutes. Some were told they would be paid based on their performance while others were told money would be given to charity.
With no surprise, those who received even a small payment were found to put in more effort compared to those who were told that money would be given to charity, even when the charitable group of participants would earn 10 times more money per click.
“A lot of people have an idea of what they want to do in the future,” sophomore Lennon Johnson said. “But they get into the mindset of thinking it’s not enough money to sustain a life for themselves.”
From personal experience, I have dealt with contrasting ideas of what to do with my future. Being musically interested and inclined, my heart leans toward pursuing a major in the music field. However, I know that music majors typically earn salaries on the lower end. So, instead, my head has become grounded around the idea of becoming a doctor.
So, when adults ask me what I want to do in the future or when surveys ask what major I am interested in for college, I always respond with “becoming a doctor” or check off the boxes related to healthcare.
But as I experienced the learning curves of high school through new classes, teachers, classmates, and activities, I have come to realize that talent and passion should not be thrown aside just for money and a luxurious future.
Finding a passion is one thing, but sticking with and pursuing it is a whole different story. Whether it is art, music, sports, or simply a small hobby, passion is an important factor of every individual’s life that can bring forth many benefits. A specific passion or hobby can eliminate stress and, instead, promote calmness and happiness within oneself.
A research study conducted by Canadian social psychologist Robert J Vallerand found that 84% of the experimented participants had higher levels of contentedness when they participated in an activity they had a genuine interest for rather than those who were not involved in any activity that they enjoyed.
After reflecting on my musical journey throughout the past few years, I see that being in so many different music-related activities has helped me become the person I am today. I have created a multitude of life-changing friendships and experienced the difficult yet rewarding path of leadership.
“Everybody has their own definition of what it means to be happy,” math teacher (and former journalist) Chris Peters said. “And for me, happiness and satisfaction comes from the interactions throughout the day with people that bring me energy, give me little wins, and make me feel like I matter.”
Though not everyone will have the same experiences and outcomes, pursuing a passion can still provide students with a chance of fulfillment. Students do not necessarily need to choose a career path solely around their passion, but choosing a job just for the money is not the answer either.
“You have money because you have things you want to do, places you want to be, and you have a life you want to create,” Peters said. “Ultimately, the goal of life is not to have money.”
Still, following your passion can sometimes mean facing financial challenges. A 2019 Brookings study found that 53 million workers ages 18 to 64, or 44% of all workers, barely earn enough to live on. The average earnings were $10.22 per hour, about $18,000 per year.
Additionally, a New York Federal Reserve study found that majors in liberal and performing arts produce some of the lowest earnings five years after graduation and for mid-career workers.
The difficult choice between following one’s passion and pursuing financial stability is a dilemma that students should not have to face. The reality is that salaries in fields such as the arts, education, social work, and other passion-driven jobs often do not reflect the value these careers bring to society.
“I think that talent should override money a majority of the time,” Longua said. “Just because someone is rich doesn’t mean they are talented, and it doesn’t mean they are always going to get further in life.”
If salaries in essential but often underpaid fields become more equitable, students can confidently pursue their passions without fear of financial hardship. When young people feel free to follow their interests, they bring greater creativity, dedication, and innovation to the world.
“Money is a ladder out of poverty, but it is not perfect,” Peters said. “To me, the dream is finding something that makes you happy and deeply satisfied, and finding that harmony between the two is the sweet spot.”
