Q&A: Choosing a Profession
Choosing a Profession
Question
I’m facing a decision about what to study. Which profession is worthwhile to pursue from a values-based perspective? I know you look down on education, but is there some other profession that really is important? Assuming we’re not talking about medicine… Should one consider a profession that generates profit for the state, or perhaps a military profession…
Answer
I really don’t look down on education. It’s a very important profession. What I do look down on is education studies, most of which are, by and large, complete nonsense.
I also oppose steering people into education indiscriminately just because it’s important. More generally, in principle I’m against choosing a profession based on considerations of importance and contribution. A person should do what he’s good at and what he loves, and within that choice he should try to be good at it and contribute as much as he can. If you have several options that all seem equally suitable to you, then you can choose among them based on considerations of contribution.
Discussion on Answer
Happy is he who believes.
“And Rav Zutra bar Tuvya said that Rav said: What is the meaning of that which is written, ‘He has made everything beautiful in its time’? This teaches that the Holy One, blessed be He, made each and every person’s trade appear pleasing to him.”
(Berakhot 43b)