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I feel that nowadays, people- girls in particular- are thrust into college right after seem,or right out of high school, with no thought as to what they want to REALLY do. These girls are 18, 19,or 20 at most. Many of them finish their B.A’s in under 2 years, and then are off to grad school….but is there anyone out there who will be honest and say theyre just along for the ride? at such a young age, do you REALLY know what you’re committing to when you pick a profession?
Doesn’t sound so complicated.
For example, if you want to become a lawyer and the sign on your school says something like Boro Park Dental School, then you’re probably in the school for the wrong profession.
In the secular world people also start college at 18.
Rabbeinu Bechaya tells us two standards for choosing a profession: 1. A profession that fits with our personal talents and desires, and 2. A profession that is “productive” for society. The Vilna Gaon says that Hashem gives each of us the inner feelings that help steer us toward the profession that is right for us.
Should they wait until they are married and have 2 or 3 kids will that be easier ? doubtful.
A lot of the time you don’t. I know I was in school for 3 years until I realized that whatever I was in school for was completely not for me. I am so happy I realized it then and not when I had finished school already because I would have felt pressured to work in that field anyway being that I had finished all the schooling for it anyway.
dbwcbb: You are correct. Most young people in college aren’t sure what they want to major in let alone which profession to choose. Most colleges internships are part of the curriculum. This way the student will be able to judge if that is the profession she/he wants to pursue.
I never heard of a BA being obtained in two years. Do you mean an A.A.?
In today’s economic climate a college degree is a necessity NOT a luxury.
My sister thought she wanted to be a lawyer but after speaking with a few she realized that law was not for her. She even took the LSATs. (BTW, she scored very high and didn’t even study). She went into publishing.
I would encourage all college students to talk with people in different industries and ask questions to see if anything piques their interest.
Much luck to all and enjoy your college years. They go very, very quickly.
It happens way too often, and not only to girls. I have friends who are juniors and even seniors in college and still don’t really know what they want to do. Some will probably figure it out soon enough, and some will drop out and get jobs that don’t require degrees. This is just the way of the world. I began college when I was 20, and then, I had an idea of what I wanted to do, but the degree I’m currently pursuing is a bit different from what I had in mind at the beginning.
College is very expensive, so I would advise anyone planning on getting a degree to really think about their future before making a decision.
I think many girls (and guys) pursue degrees they don’t necessarily enjoy (myself included). There aren’t that many options for a frum girl (or guy) so they tend to settle down with what’s appropriate.
Stamper, that’s true, however, in my opinion, public schools offer a wide variety of classes or extra-curricular activities that help students figure out what they want to do with their lives. Many are still undecided, but they have four years to decide rather than two (for those in an accelerated program).
I think some (maybe more than some?) girls and guys do end up in fields they are not passionate about, but you gotta do what you gotta do, right?
Queen Bee, I agree that a lot of people end up working in fields they don’t really feel a passion for. It’s not necessarily a problem; Some people just want to fit in, or make a high salary doing something they don’t really enjoy. But I’d rather do something I love and get paid an average salary than do something I find dull and get paid an above average salary. I am very passionate about the field I’m going into, and I love all my classes.
And for people who are undecided about their chosen career paths, there are numerous surveys and tests online that people can take to find out which fields they can use their talents in, and people generally enjoy doing things they have talent in.
How do you know you’re in school for the right profession?
You don’t always know. But you can’t let that paralyze you to not make any decision professionally. If it becomes clear to you that your chosen field is not the right profession for you, move on and leave the experience behind you.
So interesting you should bring this up. I recently read an article by Marty Nemko (all his stuff is worth reading) called “A Blueprint for Reinventing Education.” It’s available online.
Please allow me to quote a couple sentences.
“200,000 students each year who graduated in the bottom 40% of their high school class go to so-called four-year colleges. Of those, 3/4 of never graduate, even if given 8 1/2 years! “
“A new report in the Chronicle of Higher Education, The Great College Scam, indicates that 60 percent of the increased number of college graduates from 1992 to 2008 work on jobs requiring just high school!”
“Not only do most of those students not graduate, learn little, and be no more employable than if they hadn’t gone to college, they incurred huge student debt, and suffered the boredom and ongoing assault to self-esteem that comes from being forced to spend years studying academic material for which they are unprepared.”
MiddlePath, I think those who love what they do are really lucky. It’s great that you’re passionate about the field you’ve chosen, and if you can make a decent living with it, that’s even greater. Taking online surveys can help, but then again, our options are a bit limited.
If they are old enough to get married and have kids, they are old enough to start college and choose a career path at 18…in the secular world it common to switch majors until you find the right one. College is seen as an important part of growing up, not a necessary evil to get done and out ASAP…So there is more pressure on frum to choose early and get out…
Volunteer work can help. I know lots of girls who worked at HASC and saw various professions like OT, PT, speech, special Ed, nursing, etc. Based on that, they were able to find their profession of choice. I thought I wanted OT, till I volunteered in a hospital where OT’s worked in multiple units. It was soooooo boring. The only thing I found remotely interesting was how they made casts. There’s no guarantee that you’ll like what you choose, though. I know someone who was accepted to dental school, paid for it, and weeks into the first year HATED it! He switched out, and lost the money he paid. He decided to become an actuary, and was much happier. The point being, like everything in life, do your research, get to know your preferences a bit, and then take a chance. You need to begin from a point of interest, though. If you have no idea what’s of interest, try volunteering in a place that exposes you to several choices, like a hospital or a special Ed program. Small businesses and law firms may take volunteers to help with minor office work, allowing you opportunities to speak with others in those professions.
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