21.11

What I’ve learned since university (as told to 100+ teenagers earlier this month)

A couple of weeks ago I stood in a lecture theatre at the School of Oriental and African Studies in London, in front of 100+ gathered teenagers who were all thinking about studying Japanese, invited to give them careers advice. It went something like this…

“Who here is 16?” (lots of hands go up)

“17?” (lots more hands go up)

“18?” (lots more)

“In that case you are probably looking at me thinking, she’s well old.” (Cue embarrassed laughter and some shuffling in seats. Gotcha!)

Maybe you are thinking when I studied Japanese, it was such a long time ago I must have used one of those massive heavy paper dictionaries as there were no apps on phones. In fact, there were probably no phones, or email, or Instagram or any of that. (Oh my, can you imagine?) And you’d be right.” (Cue laughter and uncomfortable glances at each other.)

“And maybe you are thinking that if I studied Japanese so long ago, in a completely different era, there cannot possibly be anything I can tell you that will be useful careers advice.” (Cue more embarrassed shuffling)

“But that is where I hope you are wrong.” (And this bit is for you too…)

“Because if there is one thing I have learned in the past couple of decades it is this… And it has absolutely nothing to do with technology, or the employment market, or the state of the world – The one thing I have learned is that life is one great big adventure, and you have most of what you need to navigate it already inside here.” (Hand on heart)

(Now I have their attention).

The next half an hour, explaining my unconventional decision making methods, winding career path and openness to adventure and opportunity had them spellbound in a way which made me wonder why my own children don’t listen to me like that (ha ha). What I was saying makes so much sense to me – but it’s not what we are taught.

The thing is, many teenagers are taught to give too much attention to other people’s opinions, and not put enough trust in their own life experience, and what their heart tells them. How about you? What career and life choices have you been grappling with lately? And have you been putting too much attention on other people’s opinions without trusting your own knowledge, experience and heart? It’s easily done…

Beth Xx

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