<p>Actually, concerns by any and all parents today about what the future holds for their kids is a valid consideration…I worry about job options because I see the outsourcing, the consolidation, the downsizing all the time. A lot of companies in Maine have been merged or bought out by companies “from away” and as a result, we don’t have the decision makers physically left in Maine…and so we don’t get to “control” our future. Fundraising is very tough because the money tends to go where the HQ is…</p>
<p>But, financial success does not guarantee security, happiness or health. In fact, in can even introduce a different stress, ie keeping up with the Jones…or crime (theft/fraud/embezzlement) or drugs…
for me, the day to day grind of my professional job (over 30 yrs) is tough to accept…but, the truth is that I am good at what I do. Lucky for me…because if I wasn’t good at it, if I didn’t like it, if my customers didn’t validate my approach to my job, then the grind would get the better of me. My point, cucumber, is that you need to find a balance of what you like against what you want, what you need. The moment you have a family, you are no longer making decisions for just yourself. </p>
<p>Colleges do NOT require kids to pick their major when first setting foot on the campus. Many schools require it by the end of sophmore year. I think that communist countries used to allocate their kids based on tests, demonstrated skills and family connections. America has a pursuit of happiness clause that provides a trump card if one accepts the ownership of their decision. If you abdicate to your parents, and you are unhappy/unsuccessful, then you will get to blame TWO parties, them and yourself. If you do what your heart/mind is asking for, and you are unhappy/unsuccessful, then you only have YOURSELF to blame. Perhaps that is the ultimate final argument to make to the 'rents. “I am doing this because I love you and don’t want to hate/blame you in the future about the road not taken.” </p>
<p>Let us know what you choose/chose, please…also, let us know down the road, how it is going.</p>