First Steps
Thinking about the future can be scary as a student <Swipe Left>. Having to decide on what to study, where at and how to pay for it <Hard Swipe Left>. Uncertain on the “right” career, or how any career would meet the cost of living <Reset>. You are not alone in having anxiety or discouragement—but be encouraged. As if crossing a wide and raging river, take it step by step. Or if climbing a steep cliff, look a few hand-holds ahead but move point to point.
Take the opportunity to explore and consider a few options, refine or adjust your perspective but keep your eyes up on the next step.
Your parents may have fit the traditional vocations for their generation or had broken the mold and pursued something different. Some cultures (cough), set stricter expectations (cough) on their kids. I recalled a high school classmate (Asian) who showed great artistic skill, but could only pursue that after becoming a doctor or lawyer. But that was a world without a home computer, before a smartphone, before many f careers birthed after graduating from college. Don’t let that devalue an education, but to value the sills and experiences that are adaptable or enable crossing over or digging deeper.
My perspective is one of many years, many jobs, and hindsight to share. Given changing technology, culture, and career options that hindsight cannot foresee the future of career options. But I can encourage you in some of these explorations and decisions. Even being raised in a home with a classical artist father, I pursued a technical vocation—and applied my creative skills where possible.
I recommend starting a journal for this process. If you are a doodler, doodle; bullet journaler then start a list; if visual then cut and paste a collage. Write down the “what I like” and “what I don’t like” and come back to compare when plotting out a plan. <Pin that>
Sage advice (parental pragmatism): <Swipe Right>
While college may not be required or appropriate for everyone, unless self-employed a person seeking to rise in responsibility or wages may find discouraging ceilings without a degree.
While expecting too much of you for knowing what field of study or career you will commit to at age 16, it is best to explore and consider before having to feel pressured with less time later.
Not all professionals end up in the field of study that they started out in—good for them for being flexible and discovering their talents. Sometimes trying one thing will inspire or foster new talents one had never realized was possible.
College will teach you skills, processes and tools, community to be inspired by, feedback and critique (not always positive) to make you think about your work, and readiness to apply it in your career.
Essential skills that will help you be successful in any pursuit (the reality is that the world evolves quicker than what are in text books):
ADAPT to change. Be flexible to learn and try new experiences, tools/programs, trying different roles.
Build confidence in PRESENTING YOUR IDEAS and share your work.
Learn to WORK WELL IN A TEAM and stretch occasionally TO LEAD.
DESIGN THINKING and SOCIAL IMPACT in what you make or do will be valued in any career.
One cannot to expected to know which line of work will resonate with you unless you try them all out or talk to someone (many of them) in those careers—what inspired them and what are the pleasures and pitfalls to consider?
Some careers are harder to break into, more vulnerable to trends or external factors, some salary ranges do not keep pace with the rising cost of living—be warned, but not discouraged.
It may take longer to break in, may take a second (or third) job to make ends meet. You may have to share living costs with roommates or move to a more affordable region. But know what you desire and what you are willing to compromise to have that. Just be aware of what the cost of living is and the “range” or opportunity for given lines of work.
