1. It’s OKAY not to know what to pursue at age 16!
Of the 30+ students I spoke to, almost 50% of them told me they have no idea what career they want to pursue in the future. And I told them, that’s Perfectly Okay!
When I was 16, I’m still playing Magic The Gathering cards, and Counterstrike at LAN shops (now you know which era I was from).
For the youths who already know what they want to pursue, I encouraged them to work hard towards it. But for those who don't know yet, the best strategy is to keep exploring and trying new things. Time is on their side.
2. “Just Try It”
I encourage them to use their school holidays after the O-Levels to get out into the real world through part-time jobs or volunteer work.
If they dream of opening a cafe, they can work as a kitchen assistant first. If they want to be a teacher, they can try by teaching their cousins or coaching juniors in their CCA, whether in academics, music, or sports. You truly won’t know if a career is suitable for you until you have rolled up your sleeves and tried it firsthand.
Side Story: Right after my O-Levels, I worked for two months as a bakery assistant in a 5-star hotel. The best part? I got to taste every delicious cake and pastry the hotel sold. The worst part? I had to stand for 10 hours a day. It was a great experience, but I knew I wasn't cut out to work in a kitchen!
3. Focus on Excellence Now
It’s tough to choose a career path at 16 years old. The best strategy right now is to do your best in whatever you are doing today.
Doing well in your studies now keeps the doors wide open for any diploma or degree choices tomorrow. Likewise, excelling in your current passions, be it music, dance, or sports, ensures that if you do decide to pursue them professionally later on, the opportunities will be waiting for you.
(Thinking about this, I’m glad I didn’t stop my music lessons in secondary school when my academic workload got heavy. If I had quit back then, I wouldn’t be doing what I’m doing today)
So today’s sharing isn't about violin or music learning, but how we can better empower the next generation to navigate their own paths in an increasingly complex world.
Love the advice? Share it with other youths too!
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