How to Find Your Path After School | Amba Brown | TEDxYouth@AIS

Summary

This insightful speech challenges the outdated question, 'What do you want to do after school?' and urges young people to embrace exploration and self-discovery. The speaker shares personal experiences, highlighting the anxiety and pressure caused by the expectation to choose a single career path early on. Instead, they encourage a more flexible approach—exploring interests, researching various options, and staying open to change. With a focus on growth, personal passions, and career flexibility, the message emphasizes that there is no perfect path, only a journey of self-awareness and adaptability. It's about making informed decisions based on your own interests and trusting the process.

Takeaways

• 😀 The question 'What do you want to do after school?' causes unnecessary stress and anxiety, and it’s time to rethink it.
• 😀 The traditional expectation of choosing one career path for life is outdated and unrealistic, especially for young people with limited experience.
• 😀 A significant number of young people are more worried about starting their careers than finding a soulmate, reflecting the anxiety surrounding career choices.
• 😀 The transition from school to the workforce is not a one-time decision but a series of choices, and it’s okay to explore different paths.
• 😀 You are not expected to have your entire future figured out after school. It’s normal to feel uncertain and experiment with various options.
• 😀 The key to finding your path is to focus on your interests and passions rather than obsessing over a single, permanent career decision.
• 😀 Life is like a rollercoaster, with its ups and downs, and your career journey will involve multiple changes and pivots over time.
• 😀 The question 'What do you want to do?' often limits your thinking to a single career, but there are countless pathways to explore, like travel, work, study, or creating your own projects.
• 😀 Modern career choices are no longer about staying in one job forever. There’s more flexibility today than ever before, and you can create your own unique path.
• 😀 The pressure to make a perfect decision about your future should be replaced with an attitude of experimentation and self-discovery.
• 😀 It’s important to avoid making decisions based on fear or others’ expectations. Trust yourself, explore your interests, and take the time to research different opportunities.

Q & A

Why does the speaker suggest that the question 'What do you want to do after school?' should be deleted?

The speaker argues that this question is outdated and unhelpful, creating unnecessary stress and pressure for young people. Most students do not have enough experience to make a lifelong commitment to one career path, and the question fails to inspire or support their growth.

How does the speaker describe the impact of the pressure to choose a career after school?

The speaker describes the pressure as stressful and anxiety-inducing. Studies show that a significant percentage of young people are more worried about starting a career than finding a soulmate, highlighting the mental health concerns that arise from this societal pressure.

What personal experience does the speaker share about the transition from high school?

The speaker shares that the transition from high school was extremely tough, leading to generalized anxiety. They felt overwhelmed by the constant question about their future career and struggled to make a decision about what to do after school.

How did the speaker's experience with a career counselor impact their career decision-making?

The career counselor suggested the speaker should become a teacher based on a career test, but the speaker felt strongly that teaching was not the right path for them. This experience highlighted the difficulty of making such decisions when young people are still figuring out their interests and strengths.

What does the speaker mean by 'your path' rather than 'the perfect path'?

The speaker emphasizes that there is no one 'perfect path' to follow. Instead, individuals should focus on their unique journey or 'path,' which can evolve over time as they gain experience and self-awareness. Life is about exploring different options and being open to change.

What are the four basic pathways outlined by the speaker, and why are they important?

The four basic pathways outlined by the speaker are travel, work, study, and creating your empire. These pathways are important because they offer different ways to explore and discover personal interests, giving young people the freedom to try various options rather than feeling confined to one choice.

Why does the speaker encourage trying out different paths, and what is the potential downside of not doing so?

The speaker encourages trying out different paths to gain a broader perspective on life and career options. The downside of not exploring these paths is that young people might miss out on discovering new interests or opportunities that could shape their future in a positive way.

What does the speaker say about the 'infinite choices' available to young people today?

The speaker highlights that the sheer number of options available to young people today can be overwhelming but also empowering. With more than 4,000 cities to visit, countless universities to choose from, and millions of jobs to explore, the choices are endless, allowing for a more customized path.

How has the concept of career and work evolved according to the speaker?

The speaker explains that the traditional model of staying in one job for life is no longer the norm. With the rise of customized career paths, young people now have the opportunity to create their own job titles, responsibilities, and work schedules, allowing for more flexibility and personal fulfillment.

What alternative questions does the speaker suggest asking instead of 'What do you want to do after school?'

Instead of asking 'What do you want to do after school?', the speaker suggests asking questions like 'What do you enjoy doing?', 'What are your strengths?', and 'What makes you happy?' These questions are more open-ended and help young people explore their passions and personal growth.