Advice for academically strong, but directionless daughter

Happytimes2001
Tue, 30 Jun 2020 15:45:52 +0000

@Emmycat Here goes. I am a person who followed a circuitous path through four successful careers and wouldn’t change a thing. First, I think your daughter like many strong students might be in the place of loving many things. For some that would seem easy. But it’s actually not.
When a student does everything equally well, they often can’t clearly see what paths are available. There are many subtle and not so subtle clues that people get when they are good at something. If they are good in one subject, they’ll likely go in that direction. But what happens when they are good in every subject?
I would have your daughter talk to a variety of people in different fields. Rather than specific job titles she should plug into things she loves.
Let me give you an example, I loved languages, econ, math, and international relations. I took classes in all these areas and ended up first working in international banking, followed by technology, followed by management consulting followed by my current occupation ( which I won’t mention as there are a handful of us in the US). But it’s in a creative field.
She needs to build skills not just look at careers. I strongly believe the best jobs are at the intersection of multiple skills. And they pay better too. If you have two or three strong interests you can then find a job/jobs which fit your interest and work will not be boring. Money is important!! I would never take a job that doesn’t pay well or suggest that for anyone else. Mainly because there is usually a job with similar skills that does pay well.
Also, I would encourage her to think big. A job working in a public/international health field by getting a Masters in Public Health or MPA might be more enjoyable than a job where the field is more limited. Think of interest and then group the interests together. Also, if you break it down into interests she can get a degree with a major and a minor or double up. That way she’ll have a basket of skills rather than preparation for a specific job. I like the degrees which never go out of style: math, econ, business, art history, psychology or whatever. IMHO, the world is moving so fast that students need skills that are flexible. A degree in a field that is pretty rigid or too novel can hurt down the road. I have a nephew that told me his major the last time I saw him. I have no idea what it means. At all. And it sounded very 2020. Wonder what that will sound like in 2060?