Nchumbeni Y Jungio
Counsellor, Unity College, Dimapur
When it comes to choosing a subject, stream, career, it becomes a family affair usually seen among our community where there is active advice from the different social circles. The intention is a good one where everyone envisions the young person becoming someone good standing on their own feet and bringing laurels to the family and the community as a whole in a long run. These are the usual pictures that regularly play out in the same pattern whenever the results are declared and the time comes for choosing the stream, subjects, colleges, universities, and so on. Today I would like to highlight some of the important factors that are needed to be considered in the process of decision-making about the choices in context to subjects, stream, and career. The young adolescence and the emerging adulthood who have recently passed out is also in equal confusion some much higher than the parents or the family as they wrestle the conflicts of trying to understand what they want, loaded with the many suggestions from many people and also the expectation that they want/need to stand up. Some stressed to reason out what they want with nobody there to listen to them.
There are many instances where the young adolescence and emerging adulthood pursues the said subjects/course/profession suggested by someone and not because they want or understand the multiple areas of the particular course. Because of these conflicts as they start their foundation, some may have a lack of interest or passion and thereby may not be able to bring out the best potential they have. We also cannot ignore that in some cases where the young students are grateful for the encouragement they got to pursue the said courses because as they go ahead with the journey, they start to find interest and their calling in it. It is true that maybe on many of the occasions a young adolescent and emerging adulthood who have recently pass/graduated may not be able to comprehend the whole idea of the subjects combination, stream, courses and it important for the parents, elders around to guide and give advice but it is equally important that we do not shut down the voice of the young person who wants to talk about their choice and aspirations. Many a time it is encountered the subject/career choice may not align with that of the parents and sometimes the parents may not even understand what their child is trying to explain and it is ok to acknowledge that. It’s disheartening when we come across a young student and in the process of conversation, they reply about just ‘going with the flow’, ‘studying the subjects/stream because their parents/guardians want them to’, they prefer to study some other course but nobody was willing to accept as they end up taking the course/ stream/subject’ and along with these some present with multiple issues like lack of motivation, poor attendance, poor peer teacher relationship, etc. so these also show the importance of discussing and communication with the young adolescence and emerging adulthood about what ideas they are having, interest, goals rather than ending a further conversation with a reason that we as the elders know the best for them as such they should follow whatever is being directed to them. We need to learn to open a space for listening to them at the same time letting them know about the ideas the parents might be having for them. Because to instill something completely foreign that is not as per the potential, aptitude, interest, etc instead of creating a good plan we might be damaging it. During the stage of adolescent and emerging adulthood, they might get attracted to what their peers are doing, and here comes the duty of the parents/guardians/ caregiver to ask them, let them explain about it not to interrogate but to understand them. Every Adolescent and Emerging adulthood present themselves with a unique personality, skills, potential and we need to be aware of the strength and limitations they might be having, and thereby involved in their choice of subjects, career planning, and profession. Discussing and communicating does not signify agreeing to all the demands blindly but providing room for both the parents/family and the young student to express their reason and clarify which may contribute to building a foundation for a sense of trust and confidence in each other to work collaboratively. Various studies demonstrated that parent’s values and expectations affect the career choice of their children. Parents have a strong influence on the career choice their children make (Jungen, 2008).
We all need to understand that career planning does not start in a day or year; it is an ongoing process as the students get enrolled and pursue their education. Parents and the school need to work collaboratively to ensure effective and informed career decisions (Chifamba, 2019). We as the parents/guardians/ elders being a part of the children growing up, we have a role to play to model, to create awareness and understanding, clarifying their doubts and concerns. It does not mean that we try to complete our plans with our children but there should be an equal opportunity for the young growing children to share their views. We also have a role with the current changing scenarios there is a change in the way subjects preference and career choices are made and as such we should also cultivate the habits of being informed about the various choices that are available so that when the need arise, we will be in a state to properly guide them. There are also occasions where we might not be well informed about various subjects, opportunities and rather than coming up with uninformed explanations we can also direct them towards the experts who are better equipped to manage it. The formal and non-formal career guidance influences the students in making their career choices, the parents need to be exposed and equipped with the relevant information to give support (Chifamba, 2019).
Despite the uncertainty of the set plan being executed in perfection, there is an ease, confidence, for a well-informed choice rather than a forced choice which as time unravels might lead to more conflicts and frustration. The informed decision makes them comparatively well prepared about the possibilities in the future which give them the confidence to face it; hence it should be given importance.
We all wish for a better future for our children, students and we can continue to play the active role of motivating, encouraging them, considering their effort, and also continue our awareness of the different areas of adolescent and emerging adulthood life to have maximum skills and knowledge in rendering our support.
