At one time, I was one of the thousands of high school graduates who was agonizing for months in choosing what degree or course to enroll until the last minute of the enrolment period. Like me, a lot of young people who are graduating from high school are uncertain of what course to take or career to pursue as they go through a new chapter in their lives – college life. While a few have already decided long before of what they want to become, there are still so many who cannot seem to make up their minds.
As if history is repeating itself, my own daughter is facing the same struggle like his dad. Despite the assessment test they went through pointing out her strengths and abilities and the countless hours of counselling she received from her teachers, mentors, family and friends, she is still unsure of what she wants to become in the future.
In my case, BS Criminology was not in my list of choices. To be honest, I did not actually have a list of options. I just enrolled in this program because it was what my high school batch decided to take. It was a spur of the moment thing. Being a naive, unexposed probinsiyano, I lack of self-confidence. I did not want to be in another program where I will be alone. Thank God, I survived four years and was able to finish college with a degree even if I was still in doubt if this is really what I want.
Thinking it was a mistake, since I have no intentions of becoming a policeman, I have no recourse but to pursue the legal profession. Surprisingly, I had no idea that my background in Criminology was quite useful in Law School. I was able to capitalize on the law subject we had in our undergraduate studies and was able to survive another four gruelling years. I guess, it was not a mistake after all.
I am now in government service focusing on community development and community organizing. It is a total opposite of my law enforcement background. It was not a career I had envisioned. But I believe I am not alone. I have seen and heard people pursuing a career which is way different from what they took in college. This the point I want to make.
To the senior high graduates, most of you will never really know what you will become in the future. Chances are, what degree you will be finishing will not be your career five to six years from now. What is important is, learn your lessons, learn what life teaches you. Absorb knowledge and grab every opportunity to acquire skills because they might be useful later on. Of course, pursue your passions and do what you love because they may lead you to a fulfilling career later in your lives.
