Who will we be when we grow up?

Originally posted on The Space of Jeans

Deciding what to choose to study or which career path to follow after school might be as simple as a ‘feeling’ or as daunting as a muddled, murky puddle.

My 18-year-old, Year 12 daughter is somewhere in between. She knows that she is interested in and passionate about  Education, but she does not have that directing ‘feeling’ that she definitely should do the teaching.

So, as the ‘responsible adult’, I suggest that she speaks to people who have worked in the different professions that she is considering. ‘Of course!’ she agrees, “I want to talk to a teacher!” Not wanting to point out the obvious, I think about what kind of ‘teacher’ she might want to talk to and I connect her with a young, vibrant, talented and intuitive lady who has her own class for the first time this year.

After their conversion, my daughter is exhilarated and is bubbling over with thoughts that they have shared. “What’s your big take away?” I ask and I am blown away!

• To make a decision, think about what are your values and what is important to you. There is no right or wrong answer.
• Think about what kind of person you want to be. Who do you want to be?
• The world is going to be different when you come out on the other end – so don’t chase what job you want- go based on what’s important to you- that will never change.

We have had many conversations since ‘the inspirational conversation’ and I have been led to think about what other advice I could add to these thoughts.

My list includes :

• Be true to yourself. Jobs change, colleagues, the world and your friends change too. The one constant is that you are always with yourself.
• Think big. Don’t consider your choice as a life long commitment. Jobs, work places and careers are multifaceted. Study something that will feed your brain and heart while nurturing your curiosity.
• Studying is a life long journey. This is just the beginning. Think about what you enjoy, what inspires you.
• Think about role models in your life. What qualities would you like to develop that you have seen in yourself and in others?
• Have dreams and aspirations. Reach for the stars!
• Find your spark. As Sir Ken Robinson said in one of his Ted Talks, ‘Sometimes what you are looking for is not on the surface, it’s buried deep’. Dig deep, find what you love and make sure to include this in what you do every day.

What advice would you give someone choosing a study path?

What advice do you wish you had received before you chose what to study?