An old maxim says, “If you love what you do, you’ll never work a day in your life.” That level of fulfillment is what many people strive for. But before you can do what you love, you have to identify what that thing is that you’ll love doing for the rest of your life.
Some students are driven and know what they want to do from an early age. My career is an example of that. I started “writing” stories and making illustrated books before I could actually write. I pursued journalism in high school, and producing educational content is now integral to my career.
Some people call that a “calling”—“a strong inner impulse toward a particular course of action,” according to the Merriam-Webster dictionary. But some students struggle to find their calling; they don’t know what they want to do with their lives, even as graduation looms. What can you do to help?
Below, we’ll discuss how you can help them navigate obstacles, explore new subjects,
Help Them Overcome Career Roadblocks
Students may encounter a number of real and imagined roadblocks to accessing their career goals. For example, a high school student who wants to be a teacher may see the college admissions process as daunting. Or, they may foresee economic challenges and not know where to see scholarships.
Graduates face a new gauntlet of challenges. In a competitive environment, they may wish for guidance in writing an elementary teacher cover letter, tips on creating a strong entry-level LinkedIn profile, and notes on composing a compelling resume.
Don’t let yourself assume they’re making mountains out of molehills. These challenges may seem routine to you because you’ve been through them, perhaps more than once. That is why your experience can help your students. Offer assistance and moral support. Let them know that if you ran the gauntlet of getting into college and getting hired for the first time, they can, too.
Introduce Them to New Passions
Sometimes, students simply haven’t been exposed to the subjects or industries that will become a calling. In the classroom, encourage Montessori-style learning. When you sense that your students are self-motivated to learn about a subject, encourage them to pursue it.
Older students—those in high school who will soon be choosing their career paths—may require assistance in associating a passion with a valid career path. Encourage them to brainstorm about the things that excite and invigorate them. Then, guide them in researching careers that include those subjects.
Elective courses can also be a window to new callings. Avoid pushing students towards certain electives just because they’re good college prep or they’ll look good on a resume. Instead, encourage them to be adventurous and take the courses they’re curious about.
Such curiosity helped shape my career. On a whim, I took a psychology and sociology class in high school. At university, I later changed my major to psychology and sociology and earned a bachelor’s degree in these subjects. These subjects have informed my writing throughout my career. I also elected to take a film photography course in college, just for fun. There, I learned skills that have been vital as journalism and communication have shifted toward visual elements.
Especially when students are not being challenged enough by their curriculum, online college classes can help them to explore their current interests and discover new ones. Did you know that there is no minimum age for students to apply for college? Even children under the age of 14 can begin taking classes as “special admits.”
Encourage Extracurricular Pursuits
Extracurricular activities can help students to learn by doing while gaining new experiences. Again, don’t encourage only those activities that “look good” on a resume—team sports, debate teams, and chess club, for example.
Instead, let students explore clubs, volunteer opportunities, part-time jobs, and hobbies that most interest them. That may even include spending time alone on certain hobbies or with other students interested in the subject, without the aid of a structured organization.
How much effect do extracurricular activities have? A few of mine stand out as affecting my future decisions. In elementary school, I went on a 4-H “photo safari” at a local wildlife sanctuary and then took a year-long, self-guided 4-H course in photography. As mentioned previously, photography has played a substantial role in my career.
I also composed speeches and demonstrations for local and state-level 4-H competitions, entered essay writing contests sponsored by the Daughters of the American Revolution, and, in college, attended writer’s conferences, at which I met and learned from literary professionals. Each of these activities built my skills and confidence.
Key Takeaways
Some students are confident in what they want to do, while others need guidance. Give them practical assistance around the “roadblocks” that you’ve already overcome. Encourage them to pursue their interests, through extracurricular activities, online and elective classes, and even personal projects.
These three simple tips can help your students thrive now and ensure that they will find a career they’ll love.
