Growing up in a society as complex as this one introduces a broader range of career choices to each new generation. Students face a tough and not always instant decision on what they would most enjoy doing after high school. They waver back and forth, change their career choice to something similar or completely different, or enter college undecided (and possibly later decide on what path to take). Career based decisions are made from a broad range of reasons: interest in a particular career area or subject, success in a particular subject, money, skills/abilities, culture, childhood fantasies, experience, gender, and/or peer pressure from friends and family, especially those whom you see on a daily basis.

Children and teens in today’s society are capable of different amounts of work. Some can wager large amounts of work just fine, while others may struggle with this momentous amount or just be a plain procrastinator. They may consider attending college to earn an associate’s degree, a bachelor’s degree, and beyond. Or, they may not want to attend college at all (since college is not for everyone, and that’s okay!) These students who may not want to attend college or only attain an associate’s degree may feel distressed and worried when confronting parents about their choice. They may go for something else in order to not disappoint their loved ones.

On the other hand, parents often have very high academic and career expectations for their children. They may want their child to attend college to study something completely different from the child’s intended major. This may be due to the fact that their child disagrees but is afraid to speak up, the continuation of a family heritage, a belief that their child must study a specific major, the fact that they believe their child will not succeed with the child’s desired major (in both money and performance,) etc.

If a student finds a field of study that interests them, they should go for it. They should explain to their parents that this is what they truly want. Although the child may appreciate their parent’s high hopes, students usually prefer to attend college or study a trade that they will happy working in and with for the rest of their life.