The degrees that Lebanese society calls “success”

In Lebanon, the choice of a university major has always been associated with a student’s future and professional success. For generations, three fields have remained among the most popular choices for Lebanese students and their families: law, medicine and engineering. These professions have earned their reputation through the opportunities they offer, the expertise they require, and the many successful professionals who have built their careers in these fields. In a society where financial stability and social status often play an important role in career decisions, they continue to be regarded as promising paths for the future.

Family expectations and educational environments can also have an impact on how students perceive different career options. In some Lebanese schools, scientific subjects receive greater emphasis, while literary and humanities-based disciplines may receive less attention. This can influence how students view certain majors and the opportunities linked to them. For many young people, choosing a university major is not only about personal interests, but also about considering the expectations of their families and the opportunities they hope to pursue.

As young Lebanese students begin making decisions about their futures, an important question emerges: what shapes their choices? Are students drawn to these fields because of their genuine interests and ambitions, the opportunities they offer, or the expectations that have surrounded them from an early age?

Passion or prestige?

For Lea Berberi, a 19-year-old mechanical engineering student at the Lebanese American University (LAU), the preference for the “Big Three majors” is deeply rooted in Lebanese society. “I genuinely think this mentality is implanted in children’s minds from a very young age, and that parents, schools, teachers, and society all contribute to it,” she explained during her interview with The Beiruter.

According to Lea, this mentality starts in schools and continues into university, where some majors are seen as more prestigious than others. “Someone studying business, for example, might be perceived as less academically capable, whereas someone studying engineering, medicine, or law is automatically considered smart,” she said.

Lea shared that her father had a big influence on her decision, and her love for cars eventually led her to choose mechanical engineering. Growing up, she also heard that engineers were more likely to be hired than business graduates because of their ability to think and solve problems. “If I could go back and make the decision again, assuming money and financial stability weren’t factors, I honestly don’t think I would choose engineering,” she admitted.

Christelle Mhanna is a 25-year-old law graduate from the Lebanese University. She believes that the influence of society and family expectations became clearer with time. “I did not sit and think about why I was choosing this major. I was influenced by a family member around me whom I saw as successful, and I wanted to be like them,” she shared during her interview with The Beiruter.

She had loved art since she was a child,and looking back, she believes she would have chosen a field related to it. She has shifted her career path completely and is now working in marketing and graphic design while pursuing a master’s degree in marketing in Italy. Her experience shows that a university major does not necessarily determine a person’s professional future.

Choosing a secure future

For Elio Mansour, a 23-year-old engineering student at Saint Joseph University of Beirut (USJ), the decision was also shaped by the environment he grew up in.

He told The Beiruter that engineering, medicine and law are among the most prominently discussed fields in Lebanese schools, especially during career orientation sessions. Their repeated presence in these discussions can make them appear to be the most obvious choices for students.

Elio chose engineering because among these big three majors engineering was the one he liked and suited him the most. At the time, he did not seriously consider other options. “Some graduates from other majors may earn more than engineers or doctors, but the perception surrounding the “Big Three majors” remains very well established in society,” he said. For him, this highlights how social recognition can sometimes outweigh the actual opportunities a profession offers.

Jeffry Diab, a 22-year-old medical student at the American University of Beirut (AUB), considers that financial stability is a major reason why young people choose medicine, law, and engineering. He believes many students give up on other dreams because these fields are seen as more secure.

But Jeffry emphasized how passion and curiosity are essential to succeeding in medicine. “I studied medicine because I have the curiosity to know more about the human body. Someone who does not have the curiosity to know more will not succeed in this long journey,” he told The Beiruter.

He believes that a genuine interest in the field makes a difference between doctors who care about their work and those who choose it mainly for the title or money. Jeffry also admitted that if he had chosen a less financially secure career, his parents might have tried to change his mind.

Rethinking what success means

The popularity of medicine, law, and engineering in Lebanon reflects more than just a choice of university major. It also shows how families, schools, and society can influence the way young people think about intelligence, achievement, and success. Pursuing one of these careers can be a great choice, especially for those who are passionate about it. These fields offer many opportunities, and many people build successful careers in them. However, choosing a major is also an opportunity for students to discover their interests and think about what they want for their future. A degree may open doors, but finding happiness and fulfillment in one’s career is just as important.

In Lebanon, reputation and social status still matter, and family expectations often play a major role in the decisions young people make. They should explore what they love, discover what suits them, and build a future that feels right for them without feeling pressured. After all, success is not limited to doctors, lawyers, or engineers. Many people build fulfilling and successful careers in other fields that allow them to follow their passions and find happiness in what they do.