Advice from a graduate
Yesterday I received this email and I want to share with you:
Dear professor,
I found your blog and I wish that I have read your advices many years ago when I went to college. At that time, there was an advice in a newspaper from someone that I did not remember but it ruined my life: "Select a field of study that you love, follows your heart, and you will enjoy a wonderful career for the rest of your life.” I wish that I had never read it but for 18 years old, it was “wonderful music” to my ears so I selected what I love: Literature. The reason I selected it because in high school, I did well in literature classes and have written several articles for the school newspaper so I thought that I was good at writing. Despite my parents' advice that I study something else, I insisted to follow my dream. I believed that I could become a famous writer with many novels, maybe get a literature prize. This illusion put a blanket on my face until I graduated with a Bachelor's degree in Literature but could not find the “wonderful career” as I was advised. After two years of looking for job and being unemployed, I gave up and got a low paying sale job in a small store, a job that had nothing to do with my education.
When I read your career planning articles where you suggested students to balance their interests with the practical aspect of finding a job, I almost cried. I felt strongly about your advice: “You can follow your heart but using your head” so I wrote this letter to thank you and I wanted to share a few things with other college students, if you would post it in your blog. I wanted to say to young college students: "You do not know anything about life until you face it and it will shock you.” I still remember the feeling when I was 18 years old and read the advice of “follow your heart.” I told myself "This is what I want to do for the rest of my life." I thought that I had my career already planned out until it shocked me but I have learned since.
As an adult with two young children, I cannot wait until they grow up as I will tell them that “They must select their career based on their head first because their heart can wait. They must learn to be practical by go to school, learn something, work hard, do whatever they need to succeed, get a job and build a career then only then they can follow their heart to do whatever they want.” Today, I would advise students to select science, technology, engineering and mathematics because other subjects like arts, literature, business or drama can be learned later, after they get a job. Do not listen to others who advise you about selecting the subject that you love because getting a job and building a strong career is not that simple. Your love of an impractical subject will not lead you to happiness so stop dreaming. If I could tell you that after I graduated, get a good job is the only thing that you will need. The happiness will follow. Do not compare yourself with others and do not follow anyone else’s dream. Each of us has our own journeys in life, so just make sure yours is important. School work is never easy and learning never ends but you will be much happier by getting a good job.
A failed graduate in 2008;
Sources
- Blogs of Prof. John Vu, Carnegie Mellon University
