Education TRACKer: Teach a child to follow his passion
I am very fortunate—as part of my job as writer, I get to meet and interview people from all walks of life: restaurant owners, teachers, artists, mechanics and software engineers. What strikes me over and over again is that some people take a round-about route to get there, but when they find their calling, something clicks.
For most of us, we were not “discovered” and settled instantly into perfect jobs. No book publisher or magazine editor plucked my writing from obscurity at age 15 and said, “You are destined to write for the masses.” My parents tried to show me options, I tried different classes in college and eventually found my way. I wasn’t always gracious about it or as grateful for an education and advice as I probably should have been.
Today I met with some students taking part in a Boys & Girls Home Summer Enrichment Program, and I was impressed with how much they realized education was their ticket to success. One had always wanted to be a nurse, and spending time in a hospital during the program cemented that desire for her. One student plans to attend cosmetology school, and her neat, well-turned-out appearance proved her point. Another with a heart condition and family history of heart disease wants to be a cardiologist and will soon shadow an RN to learn more. Fortunately for these teenagers, Rotary Club members took the initiative and designed a program to help them find out more about career possibilities.
As my children express an interest in certain subjects, I brainstorm about how to expand their minds. I’m not always very good at it—I’m learning, too, when the subject involves electrical transformers or Windows Movie Maker or how much time an oncologist spends in the hospital versus his or her office.
But one thing we can all remember as parents is to explore our childrens’ passions—whether they align with ours or not. When my son avoids writing assignments, I have to be truthful and say it breaks my heart. But there is no better feeling than when he learns about children battling cancer and says he wants to help them.
We can all take a page from the Rotary Club members and use our resources to help our children and others. Teaching a child to follow his passion will help us all in the long-term—have healthier hearts, well-fixed cars, innovative computer programs and beautiful haircuts. The future looks brighter already.
For most of us, we were not “discovered” and settled instantly into perfect jobs. No book publisher or magazine editor plucked my writing from obscurity at age 15 and said, “You are destined to write for the masses.” My parents tried to show me options, I tried different classes in college and eventually found my way. I wasn’t always gracious about it or as grateful for an education and advice as I probably should have been.
Today I met with some students taking part in a Boys & Girls Home Summer Enrichment Program, and I was impressed with how much they realized education was their ticket to success. One had always wanted to be a nurse, and spending time in a hospital during the program cemented that desire for her. One student plans to attend cosmetology school, and her neat, well-turned-out appearance proved her point. Another with a heart condition and family history of heart disease wants to be a cardiologist and will soon shadow an RN to learn more. Fortunately for these teenagers, Rotary Club members took the initiative and designed a program to help them find out more about career possibilities.
As my children express an interest in certain subjects, I brainstorm about how to expand their minds. I’m not always very good at it—I’m learning, too, when the subject involves electrical transformers or Windows Movie Maker or how much time an oncologist spends in the hospital versus his or her office.
But one thing we can all remember as parents is to explore our childrens’ passions—whether they align with ours or not. When my son avoids writing assignments, I have to be truthful and say it breaks my heart. But there is no better feeling than when he learns about children battling cancer and says he wants to help them.
We can all take a page from the Rotary Club members and use our resources to help our children and others. Teaching a child to follow his passion will help us all in the long-term—have healthier hearts, well-fixed cars, innovative computer programs and beautiful haircuts. The future looks brighter already.
Comment
-
Comment by Elizabeth Shugg on July 8, 2009 at 10:48am - You're very welcome! It's my opinion that it's important that we raise our children to put their children first someday, just like we are now.
-
Comment by Kelli on July 8, 2009 at 9:32am - Thank You when you said, "Also, I have absolutely no problem telling my children that when the time comes to start a family, it's important to put their children before their job. If that means tightening their budget so one parent can stay home with the kids, it is well worth the sacrifice. They know that I've done that and have never had any regrets. I think they kind of like it, too. "
-
Comment by Elizabeth Shugg on July 2, 2009 at 9:50am
-
Excellent observations, Anne. One of my children has decided he wants to be a "Lego set designer" when he grows up--even though the company's corporate offices are in Denmark! I told him to go for it. My daughter wants to be an art teacher. She is only 7, but she loves art and it wouldn't surprise me if she took this route. My oldest says he is going to engineering route, for now. I think when we support our children and let them know it's okay to change their minds, but balance our advice to them with practical and factual information about salaries, education requirements, etc., they can determine on their own if they are interested and up for the challenge.
Also, I have absolutely no problem telling my children that when the time comes to start a family, it's important to put their children before their job. If that means tightening their budget so one parent can stay home with the kids, it is well worth the sacrifice. They know that I've done that and have never had any regrets. I think they kind of like it, too. :)
The future, especially now, is daunting. I worry that my children will be paying back a lot of the debt being accumulated by federal spending taking place right now, and their world will be very different from the world we live in now. I think this may, unfortunately, affect job choices and decisions. Hopefully today's children will be able to pursue their passion regardless, knowing that doing what they love is much better than trying to make a certain income or achieve a desired status level.
© 2010 Created by Elizabeth Shugg.
You need to be a member of Triangle TRACKS to add comments!
Join Triangle TRACKS