It is undeniable that one of the most important decisions one faces at the young age of 18 or so is choosing one’s field of study at university. There is considerable pressure regarding this choice, which is perhaps what makes it so hard. It can feel like a precarious balancing of needs and values, as parents often have strong opinions or expectations for their children. At the same time, this is the time of life when it’s most important to discover and pursue your own talents, interests and passions. Everyone feels this intuitively and there is a sense that if you hesitate too long, you may lose your chance.
People wonder why our youth seem relatively undirected and unsure about their direction, in comparison to young people from North America or Asia. I think that these competing pressures have something to do with it. The present generation of young people will be the most highly educated that our country has ever known. As such, they have big expectations for themselves, just as their parents have for them — not only to join a solid and respected profession, but also to have personal fulfillment and the chance to make their dreams come true. High expectations are great, but there are many steps that go into making them a reality. A genuine interest is one that can generate enthusiasm every step of the way. There is a sense of purpose and productivity that keeps you going even when it’s difficult, and ultimately creates a satisfying career.
That’s why it’s so important that every individual has the chance to make those choices for him or herself. No one else can make them. All too often, when young adults go into a certain field to please their elders, they find themselves just going through the motions, or focusing on the wrong outcomes. For most of us, that isn’t the way to succeed or to foster a sense of personal satisfaction.
A psychologist once said, “everyone has one life to lead. You have one, your parents have one, and your children have one.” The message is that nobody can make those vital decisions about someone else’s life. We each have the responsibility and the privilege of making them for ourselves. If that way of thinking becomes the norm, I predict that choosing a specialty at the age of eighteen may become easier for our youth. Having a sense of ownership with regard to one’s own life is the first step to stimulating enthusiasm.
The final factor in this equation is the current lack of employment opportunities, especially for young people. Knowing there may not be a job waiting after graduation from university makes it that much harder to keep momentum. I still think that with the freedom to indulge their strong, genuine interests, the younger generation has a better chance of creating innovative opportunities for themselves.
Email: [email protected]
