Page 25 - FourWaysGardens Issue 10 2021

a letter to high school stuDents

B y Michelle l . R a y M ond
Why do adults ask kids what they want to do when they grow up? To get ideas!

hat you choose in terms of Here are four things to consider as you yet, some are running companies whose
your school subjects, the move into the next season of your life. staff are at the mercy of their blind spots.
university or college you will
Wattend, and your career will KNOW THYSELF Self-awareness is the secret ingredient to
not define the rest of your life. And if you The pressure and requirements for knowing what your purpose is.
think it does, then perhaps you need some choosing a career path during your high
guidance because who you are as a person, school years are enormous and – quite LeAdeRSHiP
how you choose to respond to situations frankly – absurd. Unless you have been Leadership is a big theme in school,
in life, and how you treat others is far more mentored and groomed for the road particularly as you draw closer to Matric
important than any job title or profession. ahead, choices are often made from limited and titles become prioritised: Head Boy,
exposure to the world and only partial Head Girl, Prefect, Student Representative
I can count on one hand the number of knowledge – knowledge of self, that is. Do Council, etc.
people I know that after school knew what you (as a 16 or 18-year-old) know who you
they wanted to do and are still doing it – are, or where your strengths lie and how to There is so much information about what
and are happy. use them to your advantage? Do you know leadership is, and yet it is still misunderstood.
your areas of development and your gifts? To understand what leadership actually is, it
Instead of stressing about having a 10-year Are you aware of the opportunities that lay is sometimes necessary to first know what
plan, or having no plan, shift your thinking before you? it is not.
towards something that can serve you • Becoming a leader is not a popularity
better now and in the future. Many adults are unaware of these things, contest.

Fourways Gardens • 23 • November 2021