“What are you doing after graduation?” This is the question that almost every high school senior hears every single day.
As the school year comes to an end, students often feel like time is running out. This creates a lot of stress because society expects teenagers to have their entire lives figured out before they even receive their diplomas. Instead of enjoying their final days of school, many students spend their time worrying about the future.
However, pressuring students to make a choice so quickly is actually quite risky. It is difficult for an 18-year-old to decide what they want to do for the next forty or fifty years. At this age, most people are still learning who they are and what they are good at. Expecting a teenager to pick a lifelong career path without any real-world experience often leads to stress, confusion and choices that they might regret later.
Most factors of major changes or college dropouts are hesitation before or during college applications, parent pressure and expectations.
According to custom data runs from the National Student Clearinghouse, after seven years, around 30 percent of the students who started work toward a bachelor’s degree in every major field had ended their studies without a degree. Another one percent were still working toward a degree. A significant number of students who completed a degree had switched to a different subject area from the one they initially started in.
Proving that one of the causes of a high percentage of dropouts or major changes could be led by students and teens not knowing what to major in or not having enough proper knowledge about their major. Additionally, the parents’ expectations might influence their choice of career.
But it is very normal and common for 20% to 50% of college students to enter college undeclared or to change their major at least once. In reality, only a very small percentage of students truly know what they want to do before they graduate. Not knowing what to do allows for self-discovery, with resources like career counselors, academic advisors and exploration of interests through elective classes or clubs often available to help map out a future. Most young people need more time to explore different jobs, hobbies and interests.
Should the schools provide specialized career days as an event during the school day? Is there something that the students initiate to help themselves or their peers?
A lot of schools and education facilities in Europe give the students the option to explore a wide variety of careers. Career days offer an opportunity for students to listen, receive information and ask questions. Career Education Day is a one-day event with a series of company presentations, panels and networking activities, and numerous interviews with potential co-op candidates. Or popularizing Shadow Days, an educational or professional experience where a student or employee follows (or “shadows”) another person to learn about a job or school environment. It provides firsthand insight into daily routines, campus life or specific career fields through observation and interaction.
Graduation should be seen as a fresh start and a time for discovery, rather than a final deadline. It is perfectly okay for a student to take their time and find a path that truly fits them instead of rushing into a major decision.
