Dear Annie: Kids today are pushed too early to make career decisions. The first two years of college are a good time to take different courses to see where one’s interest lies. A major can easily be declared as a junior, and ample credits can be accumulated in that discipline in the last couple of years.
I took a career test in school that said I should be a forest ranger. Instead, I became a nurse with a business degree. One son thought his major would be math, but he ended up with an English degree. A daughter initially failed a Spanish test, but she graduated with a major in Spanish and linguistics. Another son has a degree in psychology, but he is building houses today. A grandson who struggled with math all through school is getting his masters in financial counseling.
We push too hard and too soon, and few people going to college are ready to make decisions about their future without further life experience. Many people change careers more than once in their adult lives.
Career counseling has its place. A neighbor’s son was dissatisfied after the degree he chose and the job it led to after college graduation. He then became a successful car salesman. We seem to be rushing kids into adulthood and perhaps inappropriate decision-making way too soon. The adult brain isn’t fully formed until around age 25. It’s OK to take time to decide. — Stressed-Out Students
Dear Stressed-Out Students: There is much to be said for having a well-rounded education and not specializing at too young an age. It is very insightful of you to celebrate the fact that so many of what appeared to be your children’s failings ended up, one way or another, becoming some of their greatest accomplishments. Being patient and kind with ourselves will make us more patient and kind with students, allowing them to live the full experience of life.
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“How Can I Forgive My Cheating Partner?” is out now! Annie Lane’s second anthology — featuring favorite columns on marriage, infidelity, communication and reconciliation — is available as a paperback and e-book. Visit Creators Publishing for more information. Send your questions for Annie Lane to [email protected].