The Challenge of Picking a Career as a Teen by Ibrahim Rogers

 The Challenge of Picking a Career as a Teen

Occasionally, people ask me about what I would like to pursue after graduating high school. To tell you the truth, I do not have a clear answer as to what my plans for the future might look like. Even though we are pressured to select a career path long before we turn eighteen, it is important to acknowledge that any unexpected event may change our opinion. For instance, I know someone thought they would become an engineer. Now, however, he decided to pursue a degree in law instead. As for myself, I wanted to become an engineer back when I was in my freshmen year of high school, and now the idea is funny to me. 

In addition to the need to choose a profession yourself, there is also another problem that comes into play which is parental expectations. Our dear moms and dads wish nothing but the best for us; however, their expectations may place unnecessary pressure upon us. It's difficult when your parents pressure you into going into a certain career because they have done it themselves or because they believe that it will be the most financially secure path for you. You want to make them happy, but at the same time, you do not want to spend the rest of your life chasing something that doesn’t make you happy just for the sake of maintaining peace at home.

According to a study conducted by the National Center for Education Statistics, 30% of college students switch majors at least once during the first three years of college education. If adults, who pay for their education, can’t stick to their first decision, how can we expect a teenager in high school to know everything about their future? In the end, I do believe that high school should serve you an experience of exploring and failing. If you are overwhelmed by the idea of making a career decision already at this stage, you are definitely not alone.

National Center for Education Statistics. “Beginning College Students Who Change Their Majors within 3 Years of Enrollment.” Nces.ed.gov, Dec. 2017, nces.ed.gov/pubs2018/2018434/index.asp.