Parents know best – or do they?
A father steered his son into dentistry school. It took four years for Junior to graduate and start practising. But he wasn’t a happy puppy.
“Imagine looking into people’s mouths all day long,” he complained to friends.
Never mind that it can be a truly fulfilling profession to all the dedicated dentists who relieve pain, restore the ability to enjoy food or put a smile back on countless faces.
Five years was how long his dentistry career lasted. He is now trading stocks and shares as a remisier. Finally, he is in his element.
Across the Causeway, there’s Dr Jason Leong. After graduating from University College in Ireland in 2009, he returned to tend to the sickly. But not for long.
In 2014, he dumped his stethoscope to be… a full-time stand-up comedian.
His parents would have freaked out, but perhaps it proves that laughter is really the best medicine.
There are many more people who are unhappy with their career choices.
A 2021 study conducted by The Harris Poll revealed that 47 per cent of those surveyed, aged 33 to 40, wished they had chosen a different career path.
This lack of fulfilment may stem from their choice of a career that promised financial stability and parental approval, rather than focusing on personal interests and passions.
On the other hand, leaving it to the child to decide can also backfire. Youngsters can be swayed by factors such as peer pressure.
Ravi chose to study IT at a polytechnic because that was what his best friend picked. The diploma is now a wall decoration as he is a medic with the Singapore Civil Defence Force while his friend is a chef working on bites, not bytes.
Then, there are children who want to be a dancer or musician this week and footballer the next.
Parents have to keep their cool and suggest that the children hone such skills on the side while furthering their education.
If that fails, they can try to get Junior interested in cricket instead, so he won’t be competing against the Brazilians and Argentinians, though of course there will be Indians and Aussies.
The saying “if you do what you love, you’ll never work a day in your life” may not ring true when doing something for love or fun is a lot different from doing it for a client.
The future is really unpredictable, so parents should guide their children and not command: “Thou shalt be a doctor.” There can a RoboDoc in the next decade to replace doctors.
Cricketers, footballers and – good heavens – stand-up comedians will still be able to practise their trade.
