Girl feels pressure to pick career

I am a 16-year-old girl. Next year will be my last year of high school. When I was little, I said I was going to be a stylist. I liked that idea, but after I did some research about it, I realized it is not for me. I have also thought about journalism and specializing in fashion, but don’t know if it’s something I want for my life. I would love to do medicine, perhaps pediatrics or oncology. They are very beautiful professions. Should I pursue the career I always wanted as a child, or a career that I think is beautiful and will give me a good life? — Julia from Brazil

The dreams people have as children usually change as they mature. It appears that yours are no different. The careers you are contemplating now can make a huge difference in the lives of others, and reward you well if you work hard and are successful. If you would love the practice of medicine and have the aptitude for it, that’s the way I HOROSCOPE

(March 21-April 19). Don’t be surprised if your personality naturally starts to curve to the job at hand. This flexibility of form is a strength, not a weakness. It is because you are so solid at your core that you’re able to bend to your environment.

(April 20-May 20). Every change is a key to the door of another opportunity. It is not always clear which door the key goes to, though. You’ll spend part of the day trying different “doors,” seeking the right fit.

(May 21-June 21). Oddly, the difficulties attract you. Or maybe this isn’t so strange. Maybe it’s the mark of fine character to seek constant challenge. The rewards are, after all, richer where powerful efforts are the demand.

(June 22-July 22). You’ll ride a highly creative frame of mind all day, similar to the one you often experience just as you are drifting off to sleep. There is gold to be mined in this beautiful mix of conscious and subconscious awareness.

(July 23-Aug. 22). The one you’re wild for is always somewhere on your mind, no matter what you’re doing. Therefore, being thoughtful comes easily to you. You’re magnetized toward anything that might delight your love.

(Aug. 23-Sept. 22). As for your all-consuming, deep, affectionate attachment, sometimes you can’t remember how it began. Other times you can’t have a thought that’s not remembering.

(Sept. 23-Oct. 23). The fresh luck will come after what’s old has been wrapped up. Consider bringing in some outside forces to finish the job think you should go.

I am terrified of driving on the interstate. It is keeping me from going places I want to go and doing things I want to do. I don’t know anyone else with this phobia. Is there any help for someone like me? — Ready To Roll in Montana

Of course there is. Your first step should be to contact a driving school to find out if it offers courses for people with a fear of driving on the interstate. However, if you can’t bring yourself to dip your toe in the water that way, ask your physician to put you in touch with a psychotherapist who specializes in relieving people of their phobias. Contact Abby at www.DearAbby.com or P.O. Box 69440, Los Angeles, CA 90069. Can't get enough advice? Find more columns from Carolyn Hax and other columnists on advice.azcentral.com. faster. The results will be well worth the money.

(Oct. 24-Nov. 21). Get the word out about what you do. Post wide and far. You’ll be surprised who can make use of your talent, and in ways you will really enjoy. That you make money too will be the cherry on top.

(Nov. 22-Dec. 21). Troubled people sense your empathetic nature, and they will tell you their problems. Don’t let this stress you out. Your listening ears are help enough.

(Dec. 22-Jan. 19). You have an excellent sense for placing people in the position they are best suited to.

(Jan. 20-Feb. 18). There’s so much that needs to be wrapped up today that you’ll wish you had your own staff to help you finish. Unless you do have your own staff, and then you’ll wish said staff were slightly more efficient.

(Feb. 19-March 20). To the untrained eye, your carefree ways belie your strong character. The reality is that it’s precisely because of your inner strength and faith in yourself and life’s process that you can afford to be easygoing.

(Sept. 1). You’ll have a heightened sense for what people need and how to deliver it. Put to good use; this sense will make you rich in love and dollars. Lucky numbers are 9, 5, 12, 40 and 19. 11 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 22 24 28 29 30 32 33 35 39 40 41 42 43 45 46 48 50 53 54 55 Bovary title Conjecture Change colors Rowboat need Human herbivore Gala Coq au — One more time MTV fans Went through rock Bordeaux Frolicsome one Very steep “The Mammoth Hunters” writer Spam, maybe Reindeer herder Intuition CPA employer 651, to Ovid Mighty — — oak Water birds Mideast gulf Thirst quencher Kelly the clown Peer groups? Lawn plantings Battery’s “+” end Robin’s hatchlings 67 68 69 70 Klutzy Pa Cartwright Deed holder Beatrice’s admirer DOWN 1 Election mo. 2 Fossey friend 3 “Babe” star 4 Hartman of films 5 Legislative body 6 Hippie’s money 7 Strauss of jeans 8 Idyllic spot 9 Rand of “Atlas Shrugged” Soup pot Van line New England state — & Young “Breathless” star Estates like Tarzan’s Cheer for a diva “Satchmo” Armstrong 10 11 12 13 21 23 24 25 09-01-16 26 Protozoan (var.) 27 Tremendous 28 Movie frame 30 Mr. Spock’s father Leak giveaway Appearance Crowning points Piece of china Ale servings PFCs A Saarinen Bounce, as sound waves European capital 31 34 36 37 38 43 44 47 49 50 51 52 53 55 56 59 61 62 63 64 John — Astor Needless Violinist’s aid Pyle of sitcoms Square-dance locale Greet the dawn “— Soon Is Now?” (The Smiths song) Santa — winds Koan discipline Cast a vote I-90