I started with my dream major at a good school for it, had to change schools and move back home because I was getting in trouble with my school over my mental health, specifically going to the hospital. Ended up with some random liberal arts major that is not marketable, or even personally desirable. Just did it because it was the quickest way to get my degree.
Been looking for a job since graduating this year, and I look at jobs for that "dream" career and they all require that major to work, even entry level jobs. All the jobs I apply to just want a higher degree, they don't really care what it is. Some of the jobs I applied to and made it to the interview process seemed enjoyable in a positive, idealistic perspective, but it's nowhere close to where my actual career aspirations are.
I feel like the US, and some other countries, put so much emphasis on your career and having this mentality that you are your career, and your career is your life and vice versa. I feel guilt for my family who helped me throughout college, I feel guilt/shame for even having my major, and I feel even worse about not finding a job right after college and not landing any of my interviews. I truly think I would still feel deep depression even if I had the dream major and dream career, or if I didn't get my degree at all. If you felt hopeless or aimless before college and whatever mistake was made, it's good to keep that perspective of "the grass is greener" put away. If you had your dream major or career, you would likely feel challenges like criticism, competition, not getting pay raises, etc more intensely because of how much emphasis you put on it. Maybe your mistake was a relief from this, who is to say in the present.
