[hannieoon]

I'm sure everyone has gone through it at some point. Being super discouraged and having parents tell you that the advice they give you (such as "good" career choices though it's not what you want to do) is to help you have a better life.

My life has reached the lowest point any college student has gone. Got accepted and then rejected. Went to community college for awhile but studying for a career I don't want to pursue just makes me want to tear out my hair and just dropped out for spring semester. Went to New York for awhile (four weeks) to have an independent life but realized without resources (money/car) that I am still dependent on parents. Came back hoping to get the car and then start making money but parents have decided that if I want an independent life... I should start from scratch. I think they're probably hoping that it will get into my head that having an education is the best.

While the economy is going down the drains, is it smart to pursue a career that has a really slim chance in succeeding the smart thing to do?

Or listen to parents who say education is the best and do something sensible in life and have a normal life such as everyone else....

Funny...... I always thought I would have an extraordinary life. Do I want to regret my life at thirty something and wish I had pursued my dreams but it's too late to go back?

Has anyone uprooted themselves and followed their dreams? Do you think it was the best decision you made? Or any advice/thought in general.

Thanks~

[HERMIT]

While the economy is going down the drains, is it smart to pursue a career that has a really slim chance in succeeding the smart thing to do?

How is it that your options only boil down to this?

Of course this isn't smart. What would be more smart is to pursue the career that inspires you and as a result motivates you to want to succeed in your education and your subsequent career.

I'm only filling the blanks here, but I'm presuming that your parents want to pigeonhole you into an education - but in a field that is of their choosing. Is this an accurate assessment?

Nonetheless, I agree with your parents to a certain degree that to better yourself in life, you certainly aren't hurting yourself by going to college and refining your skills/knowledge.

But there has to be concessions on both sides: you should go back to college and your parents should be happy with whatever educational direction that you choose.

But more to the point, what exactly is your dream in life? And is it really something that doesn't require some kind of college education?

[Prot]

You know, with the current situation where the economy is shot, more people are actually pursuing higher education instead of finding work simply because you would become even more qualified for certain jobs with a higher degree rather than wasting the time unemployed or would get paid more simply by having a higher degree. Some jobs don't really require a higher degree but rather job experience. Depending on the career path you want, you should definately reconsider studying and obtaining a degree in a career that you want.

If you don't know what career you want, go out and find out what options there are via internships, volunteer work, visiting job fairs etc. Also consider working for the government, several sectors are hiring more people such as the FBI and revamping their structure which requires a greater workforce. Go to www.usajobs.gov.

[watcher]

I'm sure everyone has gone through it at some point. Being super discouraged and having parents tell you that the advice they give you (such as "good" career choices though it's not what you want to do) is to help you have a better life.

My life has reached the lowest point any college student has gone. Got accepted and then rejected. Went to community college for awhile but studying for a career I don't want to pursue just makes me want to tear out my hair and just dropped out for spring semester. Went to New York for awhile (four weeks) to have an independent life but realized without resources (money/car) that I am still dependent on parents. Came back hoping to get the car and then start making money but parents have decided that if I want an independent life... I should start from scratch. I think they're probably hoping that it will get into my head that having an education is the best.

While the economy is going down the drains, is it smart to pursue a career that has a really slim chance in succeeding the smart thing to do?

Or listen to parents who say education is the best and do something sensible in life and have a normal life such as everyone else....

Funny...... I always thought I would have an extraordinary life. Do I want to regret my life at thirty something and wish I had pursued my dreams but it's too late to go back?

Has anyone uprooted themselves and followed their dreams? Do you think it was the best decision you made? Or any advice/thought in general.

Thanks~

what is it you want to do?

how much you regret today's decision depends on whether or not you have what you want many years from now. 10 years, 20 years, 40 years, etc. what is this dream really worth to you? is it something you'll want when you're twice your age today? does it complement all your other goals in life? just some things to think about

[SongBird]

I think everyone asked a very good question:

What is it that you want to do?

When you find out what it is, go for it. For some people it is about money and so they pursue an education path that would lead them down that road. I have friends who are doing software engineering stuff and not really like it but are only motivated by the 60, 000 salary + job benefits + weekends off package. And I also have friends who went from Business Management to social work because that was what they wanted.

No matter what your career choice is I think going to school won't hurt to help you become a little more successful with your choice.

[bluebonnet]

Having a backup plan is never a bad idea, because you'll need to pay the bills while you're working toward what you really want to do. I can tell you something from the perspective of a woman in her early 30s--it's never too late to pursue something. Say you do go ahead and go to college and pursue the career your parents want you to, or even something else that's not technically what you want to spend your life doing--you'll always have a way to know that you'll be independent from your family, and you CAN pursue what really motivates you to get up in the morning without being afraid you'll get kicked out of your apartment because you can't pay the rent. I'm in a career that I don't love, but I'm working to pay my bills and have a tiny nest egg, and I'm going on with what I really want to do with my life. I promise that the two things aren't mutually exclusive.

[Mr Boo Boo]

I'm sure everyone has gone through it at some point. Being super discouraged and having parents tell you that the advice they give you (such as "good" career choices though it's not what you want to do) is to help you have a better life.

My life has reached the lowest point any college student has gone. Got accepted and then rejected. Went to community college for awhile but studying for a career I don't want to pursue just makes me want to tear out my hair and just dropped out for spring semester. Went to New York for awhile (four weeks) to have an independent life but realized without resources (money/car) that I am still dependent on parents. Came back hoping to get the car and then start making money but parents have decided that if I want an independent life... I should start from scratch. I think they're probably hoping that it will get into my head that having an education is the best.

While the economy is going down the drains, is it smart to pursue a career that has a really slim chance in succeeding the smart thing to do?

Or listen to parents who say education is the best and do something sensible in life and have a normal life such as everyone else....

Funny...... I always thought I would have an extraordinary life. Do I want to regret my life at thirty something and wish I had pursued my dreams but it's too late to go back?

Has anyone uprooted themselves and followed their dreams? Do you think it was the best decision you made? Or any advice/thought in general.

Thanks~

rather or not the real world is for you, you will have to face it eventually. so suck it up continue your education and face the real world once your done. trust me i've been where you're at right now. its better to get your school done now before you start to regret not continuing your education regardless on what it is

[moot11]

More education is almost always good, especially during a recession when jobs are hard to come by.

As for career choices, I recently dropped 3 years worth of courses I took when I was a pre-med major, for a sociology major. Pre-med was really more my parent's thing, and I was miserable while studying it. I'm so much happier now, and it really shows in the quality of my work. I'll graduating from uni soon, and applying for graduate schools.

[Nightmare]

You know, I'm at a similar crossroad, right now. I want to got to school, but I don't want to continue it in a backward country that lacks a demand in the field I want to go into...even if it can be free. However, if I wait, I'll have to get a job before moving out, but in the end, I know I will receive a better education in the long run. However, how long will that take? I've already been out of school for about 4 years! Bah, its really frustrating to chose especially since today things got me thinking a lot.

I guess, keep your options open. Take careful steps but choose wisely.

[Phaze5ive]

[hangook/korea]

Funny...... I always thought I would have an extraordinary life. Do I want to regret my life at thirty something and wish I had pursued my dreams but it's too late to go back?

What does an extraordinary life mean to you? Lots of money? Fame? Being happy?

Has anyone uprooted themselves and followed their dreams? Do you think it was the best decision you made? Or any advice/thought in general.

I uprooted myself and did a 180 to get to where I am now. It was scary, but I'm glad i did it. If education is not your thing and you're happier doing something else, go for it. You can be happy and not be a doctor.

[clee86]

It doesn't seem like you have a strong goal in mind when you left for New York,
personally I think that unless you are strongly committed to whatever it is you are pursuing, it would be much better to go back to school.

It all depends on you of course, if the decision you make is based off what other people tell you to do, I doubt you'll be happy with your decision.

[Temoin la Nuit]

Too many people in our generation were taught that it's either university education (doctor, lawyer, engineer, etc.?) or nothing. The sensible things that your parents recommend might be profitable, or reliable.. but that doesn't necessarily mean you want to do it for the rest of your life.

It really depends on your interests, and what they are. If you don't have anything in particular, but just want to get fed - tradeskilling (learned from an apprenticeship or a community college) often pays even higher than university jobs, but without the prestige.

On the other hand, though, parents can offer good advice too..

When I was a kid, I wanted to go straight into design.. my parents strongly "recommended" that I study business administration first. I ended up finishing my business studies, then going into design studies, and starting a company.. a year later, I realized that the funds from bank loan and a start-up company's income can't possibly break even, not to mention feed me. So I'm working full-time now, and doing my design work on the side. The business stuff I'm not interested in funds the stuff I am interested in.. no other way. If I didn't have business education, I would have starved.

So yeah, try to consider all the sides of the argument.

[David McClay]

[/left]

[left]

I'm sure everyone has gone through it at some point. Being super discouraged and having parents tell you that the advice they give you (such as "good" career choices though it's not what you want to do) is to help you have a better life.

My life has reached the lowest point any college student has gone. Got accepted and then rejected. Went to community college for awhile but studying for a career I don't want to pursue just makes me want to tear out my hair and just dropped out for spring semester. Went to New York for awhile (four weeks) to have an independent life but realized without resources (money/car) that I am still dependent on parents. Came back hoping to get the car and then start making money but parents have decided that if I want an independent life... I should start from scratch. I think they're probably hoping that it will get into my head that having an education is the best.

While the economy is going down the drains, is it smart to pursue a career that has a really slim chance in succeeding the smart thing to do?

Or listen to parents who say education is the best and do something sensible in life and have a normal life such as everyone else....

Funny...... I always thought I would have an extraordinary life. Do I want to regret my life at thirty something and wish I had pursued my dreams but it's too late to go back?

Has anyone uprooted themselves and followed their dreams? Do you think it was the best decision you made? Or any advice/thought in general.

Thanks~

[papabear]

I'm sure everyone has gone through it at some point. Being super discouraged and having parents tell you that the advice they give you (such as "good" career choices though it's not what you want to do) is to help you have a better life.

My life has reached the lowest point any college student has gone. Got accepted and then rejected. Went to community college for awhile but studying for a career I don't want to pursue just makes me want to tear out my hair and just dropped out for spring semester. Went to New York for awhile (four weeks) to have an independent life but realized without resources (money/car) that I am still dependent on parents. Came back hoping to get the car and then start making money but parents have decided that if I want an independent life... I should start from scratch. I think they're probably hoping that it will get into my head that having an education is the best.

While the economy is going down the drains, is it smart to pursue a career that has a really slim chance in succeeding the smart thing to do?

Or listen to parents who say education is the best and do something sensible in life and have a normal life such as everyone else....

Funny...... I always thought I would have an extraordinary life. Do I want to regret my life at thirty something and wish I had pursued my dreams but it's too late to go back?

Has anyone uprooted themselves and followed their dreams? Do you think it was the best decision you made? Or any advice/thought in general.

Thanks~

Hmm no feedback or response?

[tasty]

i didn't read your post .

I AM NOT MADE FOR THE REAL WORLD.

i hate competition.

[hannieoon]

Thanks everyone for the responses. I haven't been on Soompi for awhile.

I know that what I wrote was very vague and hard to follow. I was selfishly absorbed in my feelings, which I do apologize.

I want to be a writer (hopefully be a published author) and it seems like a daunting task especially when I don't have a support system. But I ultimately decided that I need to get a degree from college in order to feed myself and I can write anytime and anywhere. That would be a "smart" choice.

Again, thank you for all your feedback!

[ix3katz]

^ do continue with whatever you're doing ...i assume you're doing english/journalism?? BUT also have something else on the side.
im not sure how your college works, but maybe you can do double majors? or have a minor on the side?
for the minor... do something your parents think is "useful" ...i.e. commerce or whatever it is . pick something you're at least slightly interested in

this way, when you're through it all...if you really cannot become a writer in the future, you have a backup still..

[derrek]

I just want to share this small piece of thought with you:

You're going to hear a lot about the economy, jobs, careers, money, leases... and be pushed on by parents, and compared to by friends.

Your happiness has a peak. When you're happy you're happy. Don't set the bar in a place you don't want it to be. Keep in mind what YOUR goals are, and don't spend time chasing your tail.

[Pogichinoy]

It's not about the real world catering for you, you cater for the real world.