4 answers
Ania
Student
Roseau, Minnesota
3
Questions
Asked
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Why do I feel so pressured to know what my plan is after I graduate high school?
I am currently a sophomore in high school, and whenever I think about what I want to do after I graduate, it always stresses me out. Right now, I am interested in becoming a dental hygienist, but that idea could change at any time. A lot of people say it is normal to change your path, and to be unsure. However, I still feel like it isn't normal to have this unsure, nervous feeling. Is there anything I can to do help me calm my nerves?
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4 answers
Vianne Phan
Youth Development Teacher
296
Answers
San Diego, California
Updated
Vianne’s Answer
Feeling unsure about your future is normal, especially when everyone around you is talking about their plans. It's okay not to have everything figured out yet. You're still discovering who you are and what you like, so it's natural for your ideas to change. Feeling nervous shows you care about making good choices.
The pressure often comes from others' expectations and your own desire to make the right decision. When people ask about your future, it might seem like there's only one right answer, but there are many paths you can take. For example, wanting to be a dental hygienist is a good starting point, not a lifelong commitment. Many people change directions more than once, and that's part of figuring things out.
To ease your nerves, focus on taking small steps instead of having a perfect plan. Instead of asking, "What am I doing for the rest of my life?" try asking, "What am I curious about right now?" You can explore your interest in dental hygiene by researching, shadowing professionals, or taking related classes. This way, you're not pressured to make it your permenant choice.
The pressure often comes from others' expectations and your own desire to make the right decision. When people ask about your future, it might seem like there's only one right answer, but there are many paths you can take. For example, wanting to be a dental hygienist is a good starting point, not a lifelong commitment. Many people change directions more than once, and that's part of figuring things out.
To ease your nerves, focus on taking small steps instead of having a perfect plan. Instead of asking, "What am I doing for the rest of my life?" try asking, "What am I curious about right now?" You can explore your interest in dental hygiene by researching, shadowing professionals, or taking related classes. This way, you're not pressured to make it your permenant choice.
Kim Igleheart
Career Counselor | Police Officer
1860
Answers
San Antonio, Texas
Updated
Kim’s Answer
Ania,
We, the adults, seem to be putting more and more pressure on young people to commit to a future. On their behalf, I hereby apologize! A person can have lots of interests, but, it's like eating - until you actually try brussel sprouts, how do you know if you like them? Other people can describe the taste, but, it's not the same as tasting them yourself!
Relax. A career is a journey. "back in the day" people committed to one company for life because there used to be company pensions. Nowadays, it's not uncommon to change jobs every 5 years, and, for some fields, every 2 years! Those are moments where one can transition to a related position or change careers entirely. A dental hygienist might get tired of being inside peoples' mouths after awhile and want to go into the administrative/management side, for example. Or could take that expertise in precision work and use that as a transferrable job skill to go into a different field that requires such precision work. Every job is a stepping stone to the next.
What is important though, is to take the first step. Otherwise, you start procrastinating. Don't feel like you are stuck in whatever job you first choose if you later decide, "hey, it's not for me." It doesn't mean you made a mistake. Remember, it's a journey.
Enjoy the rest of your teen years. There's more than enough to worry about later!
We, the adults, seem to be putting more and more pressure on young people to commit to a future. On their behalf, I hereby apologize! A person can have lots of interests, but, it's like eating - until you actually try brussel sprouts, how do you know if you like them? Other people can describe the taste, but, it's not the same as tasting them yourself!
Relax. A career is a journey. "back in the day" people committed to one company for life because there used to be company pensions. Nowadays, it's not uncommon to change jobs every 5 years, and, for some fields, every 2 years! Those are moments where one can transition to a related position or change careers entirely. A dental hygienist might get tired of being inside peoples' mouths after awhile and want to go into the administrative/management side, for example. Or could take that expertise in precision work and use that as a transferrable job skill to go into a different field that requires such precision work. Every job is a stepping stone to the next.
What is important though, is to take the first step. Otherwise, you start procrastinating. Don't feel like you are stuck in whatever job you first choose if you later decide, "hey, it's not for me." It doesn't mean you made a mistake. Remember, it's a journey.
Enjoy the rest of your teen years. There's more than enough to worry about later!
Liam Rielly
Data Center Technician
180
Answers
Manassas, Virginia
Updated
Liam’s Answer
Hey Ania! I can say in the area I live there is a shortage of dental hygienists so if you went that route you would definitely have consistent work!
The focus of this question is the pressure and nervousness you are feeling. Will you change your mind? Will things change in the future? I can answer with certainty that things will change in the future. You may change your mind later on, and that's ok! In the end you will either like being a hygienist and be successful at it, or you will figure something else out and be successful at that. You may change directions a few times based on opportunity, interest, financial needs, or lifestyle changes. This is normal so please don't think you need to be 100% right in your decision today.
The real focus you should have for the next few years is to focus on building skills to serve you. After you have some more skills start to play around with them and see which ones are fun to do, which ones make you money, and which ones you want to do all of the time. You should always be thinking about how you want to live and spend your time, a job being part of it, but there is no way to know if you like a job or not until you work it. It's ok to jump around jobs until you like one, and leave one if you do not.
The more skills you have the better. Finance, emotional intelligence, cooking, math skills, reading skills, social skills, tool skills, computer skills, creativity, and critical thinking are probably where you want to focus at least in the short run. A dental hygienist has a very specific set of skills and that's why they are in demand and they make so much money. This does not mean you have to do this to make money though, but you will need most of the other skills I listed above to sustain yourself.
Its hard to reassure you and calm your nerves especially when I felt that way as a teen and still do sometimes today! All I can say is that in the end you will see that everything is ok and whatever path you take you will be fine. I know this is near impossible to prove but I hope the other comments convince you as well!
The focus of this question is the pressure and nervousness you are feeling. Will you change your mind? Will things change in the future? I can answer with certainty that things will change in the future. You may change your mind later on, and that's ok! In the end you will either like being a hygienist and be successful at it, or you will figure something else out and be successful at that. You may change directions a few times based on opportunity, interest, financial needs, or lifestyle changes. This is normal so please don't think you need to be 100% right in your decision today.
The real focus you should have for the next few years is to focus on building skills to serve you. After you have some more skills start to play around with them and see which ones are fun to do, which ones make you money, and which ones you want to do all of the time. You should always be thinking about how you want to live and spend your time, a job being part of it, but there is no way to know if you like a job or not until you work it. It's ok to jump around jobs until you like one, and leave one if you do not.
The more skills you have the better. Finance, emotional intelligence, cooking, math skills, reading skills, social skills, tool skills, computer skills, creativity, and critical thinking are probably where you want to focus at least in the short run. A dental hygienist has a very specific set of skills and that's why they are in demand and they make so much money. This does not mean you have to do this to make money though, but you will need most of the other skills I listed above to sustain yourself.
Its hard to reassure you and calm your nerves especially when I felt that way as a teen and still do sometimes today! All I can say is that in the end you will see that everything is ok and whatever path you take you will be fine. I know this is near impossible to prove but I hope the other comments convince you as well!
Jessica Gegner, CCMP™
Change Partner Senior
99
Answers
Cincinnati, Ohio
Updated
Jessica’s Answer
There's a lot of great advice here to help you feel less stressed about having everything planned out for your future. You don't need to have your career all figured out before you start college. One of the best things about college is that you get to take elective courses, which lets you explore different career paths. Many people change their majors two or three times before graduating, so it's totally normal to not be 100% sure of your degree field yet. It's awesome that you're interested in becoming a dental hygienist. Now is a great time to learn more about it. What degree do you need? Which colleges offer that program? What kind of people do well in this career? What's a typical day like in that job?
When you start looking at colleges with dental hygienist programs, check out their degree requirements. Also, see what other programs they offer that you might want to try out as electives. You might find a degree with courses that overlap with the dental hygienist program. This way, if you decide to switch majors, you won't lose any progress.
The good news is that colleges have academic counselors who can help you figure out which courses you need and what your options are. Make sure to meet with your counselor before each semester to stay on track. You've got this! Good luck, and most importantly, have fun!
When you start looking at colleges with dental hygienist programs, check out their degree requirements. Also, see what other programs they offer that you might want to try out as electives. You might find a degree with courses that overlap with the dental hygienist program. This way, if you decide to switch majors, you won't lose any progress.
The good news is that colleges have academic counselors who can help you figure out which courses you need and what your options are. Make sure to meet with your counselor before each semester to stay on track. You've got this! Good luck, and most importantly, have fun!