Pressure to Choose a Career

Along with the excitement of high school comes the expectation to make a lot of difficult decisions – and make them fast.
Students are expected to know what they want to do in life – a realistic expectation, but tough nonetheless. Being bombarded with questions doesn’t seem to further the decision-making process, either.
The expectation can appear rather steep, even daunting – students are attempting to determine what to do with a lifetime in less than four years.
“It’s hard to think about only doing one thing for the rest of your life, when in high school you study so many different subjects,” said sophomore Katie Carroll.
Not only does personal interest factor into this choice, but the competitive nature of applying to colleges also takes its toll. This entails students feeling the need to exceed in all areas (academic, extra-curricular, etc.) and rise above the rest.
The knowledge that this decision will affect one’s life for years to come is not a comforting idea. Although a career choice can feel like a deadline, it is also not one to make lightly.
It’s true that students today have a wide variety of resources and adults available to them for guidance and encouragement. Ultimately, though, the student must reach the decision.
Teenage years are, in general terms, a time for career and self-exploration. This researching stage is a vital part of discovering one’s true passions.
With luck, a career will be an enjoyable aspect of the future, perhaps even a creative outlet.
More often than not, students will change their minds again and again.
They should explore, create, have fun, learn, and try over and over again. And, for now, that’s enough.