I think this girl's essay is a good comment on what's happening to an entire generation of kids. She's definitely not the only one of her generation that is struggling to find work. We basically have a whole generation that will always be under-employed. Is it her fault for picking a "useless" degree? Perhaps it is, but what about the teachers and guidance councillors? Do they not carry some responsibility for guiding kids to make good career choices especially when the parents have no clue either. I don't know anyone else's experience, but I think that guidance councillors are basically useless when it comes to advising kids on making career choice]. It seems high schools and universities are totally out of touch with what skills businesses are looking for.
Could not agree more.
If I had listened to my Grade 13 Guidance Councillor, for sure I'd not be where I am today.
I'm not saying I'm THEE most successful guy in the world, or don't make mistakes, but he (my Grade 13 Guidance Councillor (wish I could remember his name)) was a fucking tool.
In a nutshell, he told me that I was aiming too high and to consider something else.
I refused to take no for an answer (If everytime in my life I took no for an answer, I'd be living in cardboard box under the Gardiner.)
I did what I had to do to get into school, no matter what that took. I got accepted to the program and the university of my choice and though it was never easy, I ended up with a Master's Degree and worked my ass off to become a part owner of the company I'm with now that employs 150 people.
That clown Guidance Councillor back in Grade 13 at Southmount Secondary School in Hamilton is one of the guys on my all time tool lists.
My advice to kids today would be "know what you want, don't take no for an answer, give it your best shot and if that doesn't work, give it another shot."