Passion vs. Paycheck: Do Students Choose Their Majors for Their Future Pay or for Passion?

LAS VEGAS — High school is full of big decisions, but South Career and Technical Academy students are facing one that could lock in their future. This semester at SCTA, incoming and current freshmen and sophomores are standing at a major crossroads: students need to decide whether to focus on financial security for the future or pursue their personal passions when choosing their program majors as the reality of real-world bills, independence and adult life approaches. As students try to balance future money with what they actually enjoy doing, a big question divides the classes of ’30 and ’31: Should you chase a big paycheck, or do what you love?

For many freshmen, practical financial goals take center stage. Sports Medicine major and freshman Adien Kim believes setting up a stable future comes before anything else. When asked about balancing money and personal interest, Kim said he leans "more toward the money side, because I want a good future." For Kim, who aims to become a doctor or physical therapist, financial security seems to be a top priority, so much so that he would switch paths if a career paid poorly, even if it meant working a job he would genuinely enjoy. Kim also said, "I think it's smarter to chase a big paycheck first," pointing out that high schoolers feel intense pressure "because we're eventually going to depend on money when we grow up."

On the other side of the hallway, Civil Engineering freshman Philemon "Philly" Yared offers a different perspective. While Yared acknowledges that earning power matters, he believes that genuine interest creates long-term success. Yared chose his major after seeing how engaging the classwork was, desiring a future job that keeps him away from a desk setup while providing solid pay. Reflecting on the common debate over career motivation, Yared said, "I think looking for something you love and then like growing in it and eventually getting a high salary is pretty good." To Yared, high school major choices carry weight because "what you choose in high school will affect you greatly for the rest of your life."

Whether driven by a targeted starting salary or an engaging daily routine, South CTA students are learning to navigate adult realities early. As the school year unfolds, these choices will continue to guide their academic journeys toward very different futures.