When I read Allen Tingley's column ("Finding your way in the world tough, but ultimately rewarding struggle," March 23), I just had to respond. Indeed, Tingley is absolutely right that doing what makes you happy is the most important thing in life.

I give him a lot of credit for having the courage to change his major in his freshman year. It took my freshman-year roommate until her senior year to realize aerospace engineering was not her calling in life. One morning, she just woke up and decided to walk over to Burrowes Building and become a screenplay writer. That life-altering experience led me to think about my choice of major, which was still undecided at the time.

After thorough research and conversations with parents, teachers and advisers, I concluded that my calling in life was public relations. I couldn't have been more right. My junior year, I had an internship at a New York-based p.r. agency that completely solidified my decision. I knew in my heart that I could only be successful in something I love to do. Ask any professional who is successful in what they are doing. I wish more Penn State students were asking the question, "What's important to me?" The outcome of their lives will depend on the answer of the question.

After all, when you get grey and old, do you want to look back at your life with regret, or do you want to look back and say, "Wow, I had such a great life?" Sometimes, what distinguishes successful people from the rest is their ability to take chances in life. You don't have to know what you'll do in 20 years. All you have to do is believe that you are in the right direction.

Think about it.