Today a friend brought her 14-year-old granddaughter over for some career advice. Lauren is talented and beginning to consider her direction in college and career. She is good at sports and playing several musical instruments. She loves taking care of people when they are injured or ill. She is nuts about pets and all kinds of animals, particularly dolphins. She admires her social studies teacher because he takes a personal interest in her and teaches in a manner that captures and holds Lauren’s interest. She is Christian, with a Christian worldview. Politics, management, and self-employment interest her. So does marine biology. And she is also an articulate speaker.
So what career path did she decide upon? None whatsoever. But in our hour-long discussion, she opened up to ideas and steps she can take to move her closer to whatever will align best with her many talents.
No matter what your age, ask other people for their advice and opinions. You don’t have to agree with them or understand their perspective, but you will learn and change from these conversations. Speak with people from different walks of life, various age groups and socio-economic categories, people who know you well and others who have just met you. First impressions from a stranger can be just as insightful as the things your parents say about you.
