PASSION OR TREND: Don?t Waste your Time Choosing the Wrong Major

Passion or Trend Talkshow venue at MYC Multipurpose Room UPH

What happens if a student at university chooses a major that he/she has no interest in? A survey showed that several students have chosen a certain major because of their parents? so-called intervention or peer pressure. Determining the right major is not an easy thing to do, especially for high school students. Many students are either following a trend or have no choice or their own. This will affect the students? future. As a way to address this, the Faculty of Psychology from Universitas Pelita Harapan (UPH) held a ?Passion or Trend? talk show, which aimed at providing knowledge to students and parents on how important choosing a major is in accordance with the interest and passion of the students themselves.

Andy Schuttinga, M.S., Keynote Speaker for Passion or Trend Talkshow

The talk show was held on Saturday, March 14^th 2015 at the MYC Multipurpose Room, building C, UPH, with Andy Schuttinga, M.S., as the key speaker. Previously a psychology instructor at Dordt College, USA, Andy is now a Psychology lecturer at UPH. Schuttinga shared how important it is for us to know what exactly our passions are. Passion is a strong feeling about something or the desire to do something, and at times passions can be difficult to control. Unfortunately, there are many people who choose their work not because of fondness or enjoyableness but instead for how much money and benefits they will receive. While it isn?t wrong to be wealthy, it is better and potentially more rewarding to also think of others, ?We indeed need successful entrepreneurs who can share their wealth with the less fortunate,? said Andy. Moreover, Andy also said in addition to finding our passion, we need to figure out our calling. Andy explained that calling exists when our passions intersect with the needs of the people around us. Above all, in discovering our calling, we should ask God to show us, because we do not live solely for ourselves but primarily for God.   

Talkshow with Lecturers, Alumni and Psychology Student

This event was also held to introduce the Faculty of Psychology and the School of Philosophy and Divinity, UPH, to prospective students. Furthermore, this event included a talk show featuring lecturers, alumni, and psychology students who discussed the Psychology major and its career opportunities. Moreover, another new faculty, which is the School of Philosophy and Divinity, offers a unique feature that integrates philosophy and theology. Approximately 50 students and parents from SMA Dian Harapan Daan Mogot, Penabur, Tunas Bangsa, Ora et Labora BSD, SMKN 5 Serang, Tarsisius, Gandhi, Reginapacis, Laurensia, SMAN 7, Binus Serpong dan Menara Tirza attended this event. The prospective students said that they also received a lot of information that is important for choosing the right major when they enrolled at the university.(fc/an)

 

 

The following are testimonies from participants:

 

?I think today?s talk show was really fun since the speaker who is also a native speaker, gave so many good points on understanding and knowing what my passion is, I am also a bit interested towards the Faculty of Psychology. It is quite fascinating, though.? Leo ? Grade 10 SMA Dian Harapan Daan Mogot

 

“My experience joining this talk show was really helpful in distinguishing between passion and my talent.” Jennifer Elma ? Grade 10 SMA Dian Harapan Daan Mogot