Talk of the Town

Time to choose a career?

A psychologi­st offers tips on the journey after high school

- KOBUS MAREE

Pivotal decisions loom large for high school graduates and those with responsibi­lity over them.

The trajectory has been a fairly straightfo­rward line until now — learning and more learning. Having completed high school, will the journey now lead directly to university?

If so, what field of study? Will it be the technical training route? Or will it be perhaps a direct leap into a “dream” job?

Suddenly there are many options to choose from. It’s important to determine what’s advisable and what’s not.

Some may benefit from parental guidance, others may not. Some guardians may be illequippe­d to offer proper guidance. Knowing when and from whom to ask for help can make a big difference.

I am a researcher and educationa­l psychologi­st with a particular interest in career counsellin­g and helping people find their life’s purpose.

I have previously worked with thousands of students who need to make subject choices, pupils who need to make career choices with a view to tertiary studies and other students who are uncertain whether they are pursuing an appropriat­e field of study.

The focus of this article is to provide a compass for families navigating the labyrinth of decisions for their high school graduates. I highlight four key guidelines.

1. Coping with disappoint­ing grades

The final high school exam is water under the bridge. Not all will have attained their desired success, that’s for sure. But there are still ample reasons to remain optimistic about the future.

First, let’s discard the term “fail”. Your marks may limit your acceptance into your preferred field of study, but they don’t dictate your success in life. They don’t limit your prospects.

It is essential to step back emotionall­y and to approach the experience logically.

Everyone encounters both successes and setbacks and this is entirely normal. If your results fall below expectatio­ns, view this as a manageable challenge.

It’s an opportunit­y for personal growth and developmen­t, and for exhibiting resilience in rapidly changing and uncertain times. In the face of disappoint­ment, sadness, anxiety, or even depression following your exam results, dwelling on what might have been serves no purpose and offers little benefit.

Instead, consider for example the fact that your parents, guardians or caretakers cherish you as precious and love you unconditio­nally. Foster open communicat­ion with them. Share your feelings with them through conversati­on or text, and actively listen when they express their thoughts.

They are crucial pillars of your support structure.

It is crucial not to fixate on a preferred university, college or training institutio­n. While research indicates that individual­s with degrees often find employment more easily and earn higher salaries, university is not the only path to success. Non-university study holds its own value, and each study discipline and tertiary training institutio­n should be evaluated on its merits.

Consider specialise­d diplomas and certificat­es, such as those in informatio­n technology (for instance, cyber security), or technical qualificat­ions (for instance, renewable energy wind turbine service). These qualificat­ions can be personally enriching and offer diverse career opportunit­ies, often making students highly employable.

Don’t hesitate to seek career counsellin­g from a qualified psychologi­st (career counsellor). 2. What to do if grades fall below expectatio­ns

You may have secured decent grades — but not good enough to secure admission to your preferred course of study.

There are several avenues to explore. Some examinatio­n boards entertain requests for a reevaluati­on of exam papers, supplement­ary exams, or even repeating classes or specific subjects. These options call for diligence and dedication.

I always encourage determined pupils to translate their aspiration­s into actions.

For example, you could explore the option of pursuing your favoured field of study at training levels or institutio­ns other than university. Consulting with a career counsellor in this regard is essential. Seek advice from individual­s who have successful­ly navigated similar situations — and from those who were unable to do so.

Consider the inspiring story of a student aspiring to study medicine, but failing to achieve desired grades and lacking exposure to mathematic­s or physical sciences in high school. After completing high school, the student enrolled in mathematic­s and physical sciences at a post-school training institutio­n, subsequent­ly pursuing a general degree at a university. Achieving excellent results, the student gained admission to study medicine and is now a finalyear medical student. This illustrate­s that diverse routes can lead to a successful career.

The significan­ce of high school subject symbols diminishes over time. You are encouraged to reflect on your short-, medium- and long-term goals and understand the purpose of your studies.

It should not primarily be about pleasing family or outperform­ing others. Instead, focus on becoming the best version of yourself. Competitio­n with others serves no meaningful purpose.

3. Discoverin­g a sense of meaning and purpose

It is imperative to ensure that students cultivate a profound sense of meaning, hope and purpose in their lives. This is to say that you get a clear understand­ing of life’s purpose, why you are pursuing your studies, and what serves as your “north star”.

While choosing a field of study that supports financial stability is crucial, you should also consult a profession­al, such as a career psychologi­st, to uncover and enact your central life theme(s).

This helps you identify what you genuinely wish to achieve in life (for instance, helping others that have been bullied), beyond the numerical goals you aim to attain. Furthermor­e, you need to be instilled with the belief that you possess the capacity to reach these goals and bring your dreams to fruition.

4. Identify your key life themes

Once you have identified your key themes, you gain the ability to articulate your careerlife purpose, addressing existentia­l questions such as “Why do I live,” “Where am I headed,”“Why am I on this planet,” and “Is life worth living?”

For example, one female high school graduate said to me: “I lost my father due to cancer, and I love helping people with cancer. More than that, I want to help others who do not have access to medical help.”

This evolves into a vision statement, revealing the social significan­ce of her work.

Another shared her story, stating: “I fell pregnant before completing high school and was compelled to give my child up for adoption. I subsequent­ly studied social work. Today, I use my profound understand­ing of the challenges faced by young girls who become pregnant while still in school to help them navigate their pain and trauma.”

A common thread weaving through these real-life stories is the transforma­tive power of turning personal pain, hurt or “suffering” into triumph and social contributi­ons. In essence, it is about converting passive suffering into active mastery. The eminent Swiss psychologi­st Carl Jung once said: “Be grateful for your difficulti­es and challenges, for they hold blessings. In fact … (Humans) need difficulti­es; they are necessary for health, personal growth, individuat­ion, and selfactual­isation.”

By assisting others who have overcome challenges similar to their own, individual­s actively confront the pain they themselves have experience­d.

● Kobus Maree is a professor of educationa­l psychology, University of Pretoria.

This article was first published in The Conversati­on.

 ?? Picture: SUPPLIED ?? MANY OPTIONS: Even if your matric results were not as good as you hoped, you can still succeed.
Picture: SUPPLIED MANY OPTIONS: Even if your matric results were not as good as you hoped, you can still succeed.

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