Trying To Move On

Ryan is a 17 year old high school senior. He comes from a middle class neighborhood in the midwest. He is a good student getting mostly B's, but hasn't ever really liked school. His parents are both college graduates, and there hasn't ever been any doubt that Ryan would be attending college, hopefully at mom or dad's alma mater. Ryan's parents are reasonably affluent, and are able to pay for Ryan's education. They have been saving for it since he was a baby.

Jessica is also a 17 year high school senior. She comes from a lower economic class than Ryan, and lives in an urban community in the northeast. She is an excellent student and get's pretty much straight A's. She loves school. Her parents never went to college, but hope she can get into a state school, paid for with scholarships and student loans. Her parents have visions of their baby girl becoming a Supreme Court Justice, and have been talking about her becoming a lawyer for as long as she can remember.

Ryan has many interests. He is a good athlete, and loves to work with his hands. He has excelled in pretty much any trade he has ever tried. He also has a God given talent for fixing things. His family and friends have always been amazed at how he can take something apart, find the problem, repair it, and put it back together as if he had the manual memorized in his head. Ryan is that guy you call when your car won't start, your dishwasher won't drain, or your garage door won't open. He just knows what to do.

Jessica loves children. She has always had a special affinity for developmentally challenged kids, and has worked at a summer camp for Autistic children for the past three summers. A few years back, she started babysitting for a family with an Autistic child and "fell in love with him" as she put it. She hasn't ever felt as fulfilled in her 17 years as she does when she is working with "her kids". She hopes to be able to work in some career that will help her use her love for helping these very special children.

"Ryan, did you see that application to Purdue I left in your room? You need to get that filled out or go on line and apply or you won't get accepted. You'll love Purdue!!" his Dad said.

"Oh no you don't Zach. I already left him a package of information on Indiana University. You saw that Ryan honey, didn't you?" his mom Kathy countered.

Ryan just ignored them. He'd spent the day thinking that he just can't imagine himself at either school. He knows that his parents have high expectations for him, and he hasn't ever done anything to intentionally disappoint them, but college is not in his plans. He has no intention of applying to either university. "How am I ever going to be able to tell them that?" he wondered.

Jessica got home from school and was getting ready to go babysit Josh. Josh is ten years old and has Autism. Seeing Josh is the highlight of her day. She loves to watch his face light up when he sees her walk down the street towards his apartment. Josh's mother leaves for work at 4:00 and Jessica stays with him until his father comes home from work around 6:30. It is a labor of love to say the least.

"Jessie, why do you spend so much time watching that boy? You don't even get paid for all the time you spend with him. Shouldn't you be working on those college entrance and scholarship essays? Four years of college and law school is very expensive." her mother asked.

"I am working on them mom, but you know how much I love taking care of Josh" she answered. She knew that she wasn't telling the entire truth. She was working on her essays, but not for pre-law, but for admittance to the Special Education teachers program at a university in New Jersey. "How am I ever going to be able to tell them that?" she wondered.

Jessica and Ryan are like millions of people across the world that go into fields and careers in which they have no interest. I will continue this series to show you how to choose your career, write your resume, go on your interview, and completely manage your entire career no matter what stage you are in.

M.E. Edwards is a career coach, author, speaker entrepreneur and expert on career development at all levels. You can read his musings here, or take a more extensive look at his blog at http://www.directyourcareer.com/ Or you can email him at just_mike70@yahoo.com

Dear Margo - This is an unusual column for me to write. Throughout my years as an advice columnist (first as "Dear Prudence," now "Dear Margo"), I have never plugged anything or suggested to my readers that they participate in any event. I do so now to continue a tradition.