Independent Perspective News - Vocational Crisis

By V. Rosenthal

Some manifest their fears and doubts. Others claim they are sure of their true vocation. The truth is only 17% of university students graduate; a normal number would be 60%. 83% drop their studies and more than 50% do so within the first two terms. They are only 17 or 18 years old and they must define their professional future. Let's listen to them.

"It's hard to know you've failed"

Marina, 17 years old, is at 5th year in high school and has more fears than certainties. However, she has already decided on her course of studies: "I have opposed interests: I don't know whether to study Political Science or Textile Design. (...) In my family everybody is a professional, and they expect that from me also: I'm an only child. What scares me most is to make a mistake. It's hard to know you've failed just in your first important decision. It also upsets me to think how I'm going to support myself until I get my first job. A few months ago I went to an informative conference at the UBA. I felt tiny in the middle of immensity. (...) My parents suggested that I did a vocational test. The result was law and architecture. I guess I'll go for law, which is easer to get a job with."

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When and how to intervene

The choosing of a course of studies can provoke in teenagers constant changes of mood, great euphoria alternated with states of sadness and depression. But although this stage might seem contradictory, certain behaviors still cannot be considered normal. After repeated failing trials in different courses of studies, extended confusion or lack of interest, parents must intervene. However, "it's very important that they don't influence them with what they project on them, and let their children make their own choices. They must explain them the differences between their abilities and their taste: it's not the same being a music fan than being able to play an instrument", explains Mirta Correa, graphoanalyst and vocational orienteer. "It's key to ask teenagers what games they played as kids, that can help them discover their abilities".

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"Vocation is built since the first years of a person, but especially since adolescence. It is related to the children abilities and it is manifested both at school (in the subjects they find most easy) and in extracurricular activities (languages, sports, music). "Parents must be aware that this decision generates fear and anguish for their possible failure in our children. We must listen to them, accompany them, we mustn't be more anxious than them; we have to understand that the election of a profession is made when finishing high school but it is in the first years at college that the decision is ratified or rectified".

Tips to help them:

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-Give them freedom, don't pressure them or constantly ask them if they have already made their choice.

-Help them discover their potentials from their 3rd grade at school, pointing out their abilities for them to explore their interests and decide based on them.

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-You can help them get acquainted with the syllabi of the different courses of studies: the subjects are decisive.