CHOOSING A CAREER
Dear Jellybean,
I'm 15 years old and I'm kind of stressing out on what I will turn out to be when I'm older. I've been talking to my mom on what I want my career to be, I want to become an actress but if I focus to much on that and it doesn't turn out to work, What will I do? What will I become? If I didn't go to college and Im not experienced in anything what will I do? Now, I wanted [notice the past tense] to become a vet, but I don't like seeing animals get hurt and it will break my heart if I do surgery because I'm scared that im going to be nervous or just wont be able to do it.
I want to be successful and become a change agent in my family but, I just cant find something that fits me. What should I do? Is there a free online counselor that I can talk to?
Sincerely,
Confused Change Agent
Dear Confused Change Agent,
It's a great idea to have a career as backup, if the acting thing doesn't work out. I strongly recommend going to college and getting a degree, even if you want to act. You can always keep going on auditions, and get tons of acting experience if you become involved with the campus drama society. But 99% of wannabe actors don't make it, so going to college and having something strong to fall back on, and make a living at, in case you don't become a star (because few do) is just common sense.
I commend you for your will to be a "change agent" in your family - that's an awesome goal. Try not to stress too much about choosing the correct career just yet, though. Very few teens know for sure what they want to do as a career. And most people who do change their minds anyway, by the time they get to college. At age 15, this should be a time of exploration for you, when you try out things that you like doing, read about what other people are doing, and generally learn about the wide world of opportunities for you. Then you can narrow it down later.
Here are some ways for you to explore your options, and get exposure to careers that might appeal to you.
Volunteer
If you are interested in working with animals, volunteer at an animal shelter, veterinary office or the zoo. There are many jobs related to animal care that don't involve the medical aspect, and this is a good way to learn about those. Plus, you might find that you surpass your expectations and can handle more than you thought. Or, you could learn that while you love animals, caring for them is not what you want to do for a job. Volunteering is the perfect way to get hands-on experience, before you commit to a career path.
Make Time For Your Interests
If you like to act, try out for school productions, take lessons, and contact local theater groups to see if they need extras or hold open auditions. Get a group of friends together to write, produce and act in your own short films. If you think a career working with animals is a possibility, plan an animal-related project or exhibit for school, or check out the PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) website for information on what they do. As you explore these interests, pay close attention to what you like and what you don't like about them. These clues may help point you toward other careers you might enjoy.
Talk To A Pro
It's not hard to find someone who works in a field you might be interested in. Ask your parents if they have friends who have careers that interest you. Then ask these friends if you can interview them about what they actually do all day long, or even go to work with them one day and see what their job is all about. Most people are flattered when a young person is interested in their work, so don't be afraid to do this. Prepare a list of questions to help you get a good sense of the job, such as "What kind of personality or skills do you need to be good at this job?" "What part of your job do you like most?" "What is the hardest part of your job?"
Read About It
The easiest way to learn about an occupation is by reading about people who have lived it. Read biographies of people who have had careers in the field you're interested in, and then think what it is about their lives that you find most compelling. For example, in a biography of a judge, what is it that seems the most satisfying to you? Dispensing justice? Knowing the law? Doing what is right? If it's doing what is right, think about other careers that might lead to that same satisfaction, like being a volunteer coordinator for a homeless shelter, a lawyer, or a policewoman.
Check Out Career Books
Your local library should have a variety of career books, some of them meant especially for teens. Some popular ones include "Testing the Waters: A Teen's Guide to Career Exploration" by Alice N. Culbreath and Saundra K. Neal, and "Getting Real: Helping Teens Find Their Future" by Kenneth Carter Gray. Ask your librarian to help you find these or other books that help you explore different careers, and do career assessments on yourself.
Explore Career Websites
There's also a lot of information about career choices available on the Web. Google "career assessment" or "finding a career" and you'll get tons of hits. These websites may be useful to you in your search:
University of Waterloo Career Development eManual
Whatever you do, keep studying hard in school. Remember, these days you almost always need a college degree to get a good job. With that in your pocket, you'll always be in good shape, no matter what you end up majoring in.
