Exploration, Optimization, and the Art of Choosing Concentrations

Hello everyone. I want to tell you a story about someone—someone I know, or maybe just someone you might recognize. For convenience, I’ll call this person “I.” Not because this story is entirely mine, but because it’s become a little too common.

So, I wanted to let you all know that after doing lots of deep intellectual reflection, countless hours of exploration, and a truly transformative journey to discover my actual interests, I will be concentrating in Economics. And maybe, if I still have time, I’ll pursue a Secondary in Government. 

This was not an easy decision to make, of course. When I first came to Harvard, I was actually really, really passionate about History. Like, embarrassingly passionate. I used to read for fun and had weird facts memorized. I had my opinions about the current political climate, which I voiced. But obviously, I’ve grown and changed a lot since then. 

Now, I understand that History is important, not as a field of study, but as a personality trait. Well, almost. Something you bring up at dinners so people think you’re interesting before you pivot to talking about your internship at Morgan Stanley. But anyway, here’s how I made my decision.

Step One: I explored. 

I took classes across disciplines. I went to office hours. I asked myself big questions like: What do I actually care about? What gives my life meaning? What starting salary would justify my existence? What would make me look good and seem like I was doing the right thing, because that’s what most people around me were doing?

Step Two: I listened to my peers. 

One person I know who was going to study Philosophy—because he was actually interested in it—is now studying Economics because he’s “fascinated with decision theory,” which I think is just philosophy with a spreadsheet. Another person I know who loves Art History is now concentrating in Government because she enjoys cultural policy, which I think is just Economics with feelings.

And honestly, their concentration changes inspired me. Because if everyone else is funneling their intellectual pursuits directly into finance, who am I to resist?

Step Three: I considered my future. 

Not in a vague, existential way. But in a very normal, healthy way, where I opened LinkedIn, searched “Harvard,” and blacked out for three hours. When I woke up, I had learned something important: that there are only three jobs. Consulting. Finance. Or something you have to explain. 

And I just don’t think I’m strong enough to explain myself. 

So yes, I will be concentrating in Economics because it makes sense. And if there’s one thing this experience has taught me, it is that making sense is more important than doing what I actually like. But let me be clear as well: this was entirely my choice.

No one forced me. No one said, “If you don’t do Economics, you will become irrelevant and unmarketable and die alone.” That would be kind of ridiculous to say. This is Harvard. We don’t say things like that out loud. This might just be implied, very subtly. 

And honestly, I’m also grateful for this. Before coming here, I thought choosing a concentration was only about curiosity, exploration, and maybe even joy. Now I understand that it’s about optimization for most people. Why follow your interests when you can follow the market? 

Speaking of which, I actually ran a quick regression on my own personality. Dependent variable: happiness. Independent variables: salary expectations, parental approval, the number of nods I get when I tell them my intended concentration, and so on. 

Some people will say that this type of conforming culture is a problem, that it flattens out individuality, that it turns vibrant, curious students into slightly more polished versions of the same LinkedIn profile, but I think that’s too negative. Because there is something beautiful about this. Something unifying. 

We all come from different backgrounds, different countries, different interests—and yet, somehow, we all arrive at the same conclusion. That’s not conformity. That’s community. It’s almost efficient, really. Like we’ve minimized variance without even needing to coordinate. Like a perfectly competitive market, except the product is ourselves. And the equilibrium is surprisingly stable. No one really wants to deviate.

Okay, back to me. To be frank, I still engage with history. Recently, I read and learned more about the Great Depression. Which is actually super relevant, because I kind of think I’m going through one right now. But it’s fine. I have a problem set due. And every time I open it, I feel something. Not passion. But something else, something colder and sharper. Something more sustainable. Something like … market alignment?

Anyway, if someone wants to talk to me about the fall of empires or the construction of memory or literally anything that used to interest me, let me know. I’ll be free after my coffee chat with a private equity firm. 

Brenda Li ’29 (brendali@college.harvard.edu) is comping the “Independent.”