If you don’t like your major, does that mean you’ll never do well in it?
A real story about choosing the wrong path — or maybe not.
If you don’t like your major, does it mean you’ve made the wrong choice? I came across a student who didn’t choose her field, yet performed exceptionally well in it. Despite her lack of interest, she found moments of meaning in the work — while still questioning whether she belonged there. This story challenges a common assumption: that passion must come first. From an HR perspective, the reality is often more complex. Capability, positioning, and long-term paths don’t always align neatly. Sometimes, the harder question isn’t whether you chose wrong — but whether you understand what your choice can become.
I recently came across a question that stayed with me:
“If you don’t like your major, does that mean you’ll never do well in it?”
It wasn’t just a simple question.
The student who asked it is currently in medical school — a path she didn’t originally choose for herself.
She once wanted to study computer science or engineering. But her parents strongly encouraged medicine — for stability, respect, and long-term security.
So she followed that path.
Over the past few years, she has worked extremely hard. Even without strong interest, she pushed herself to the top of her class.
Now she’s doing clinical training.
She still doesn’t enjoy the field. She still questions her choice.
But at the same time — she has moments with patients that genuinely move her.
Moments that are real, human, and hard to ignore.
So the question becomes more complicated:
If you don’t like something, but you are capable — and even meaningful in it, what does that really mean?
Here is what I shared with her.
Not as advice — just as something I’ve learned.
At this point, there may not be a clear way to “go back.” And yes — not liking something is real.
But not liking something does not necessarily mean you are not suited for it.
Looking at her experience, I actually think she is well-suited to become a doctor.
She has the academic strength. And more importantly, she has empathy.
And society needs people like that.
So the real question is not simply “Do I like it or not?”
It becomes:
How do I live with this choice? How do I make sense of it?
One thing I would say is this:
Don’t compare what you don’t have to what others seem to have.
That kind of comparison rarely brings peace.
Instead, look at what you have that others may not.
Others may have started earning earlier — but they are already facing a much more complex world.
You are still building.
Still learning.
Still gaining depth.
And time plays differently across careers.
At 45, someone may be struggling to stay relevant.
At 45, you might be a senior doctor, a department head, or even teaching the next generation.
You grew up in a traditional system. Now you are trying to understand yourself within it.
That is not a weakness.
That is the beginning of clarity.
You will find your answer.
I believe that.