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What questions do teens (14-18yo) have about choosing a career path, or navigating school and education options? (lemmy.world)

submitted 1 week ago by borokov@lemmy.world to c/asklemmy@lemmy.ml

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Hi,

I'm an engineer in its late 30s and I sometime go to high-school talking about my job, my scholar background, etc... I remember being very stressed about my future at that time, so I try to tell them what I wish someone had told me 20 years ago.

If any teens are reading this (or people in contact with teens), what topics or advice would you want to hear from some random dude like me ?

Thanks for your help

ps: I know most of lemmy users are middle age, but there is no way I create account on shitktok, Insta or stuff.

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[–] borokov@lemmy.world 2 points 4 days ago (1 children)

Hi,

I think you may have a look to @BarneyPiccolo@lemmy.today comment in this thread as he depict very well the choice you currently face.

You may also ask yourself how much important is your job for you. Some people don't really care about their job. They see it just as a way to have money and enjoy their life through leisure activities, friends, family. They can do anything as long as it pay. Some people (like me) really need to enjoy their job. I need technical challenge and I couldn't work in finance, politic, management, administrative, etc... even with better pay. So, do you think you can handle working on a field that's just "meh..." and enjoy you life outside your job. Or do you think job is really an important part of your life.

Regarding your parents, they will be proud of you whatever you do as long as you are happy. So, don't try to make THEM happy. Try to make YOU happy. And, you are not stuck in a field for you whole life. You can do a job that pay well at the beginning, and then reorient to a lower paid, but more interesting job. Reorientation is not easy, but it's doable. Lot of people work 10 year in a stressed well paid field, to switch to raising goats in the wild when they turn 35/40yo.

Life is not a sprint. It's a marathon. Hope this help.

[–] BarneyPiccolo@lemmy.today 2 points 4 days ago

Great advice, Borokov. I, too, was more motivated by personal satisfaction than money, and consequently was there for all the great moments of my son's life. We are still best friends to this day. There is still nobody that I would rather have an endless conversation with.

We weren't rich, we often went without, but I wouldn't change a thing.