Own your life, take responsibility

I do meet so many young people who do not like their study at the university. They are studying geography or Dutch (In Hungary!), do not enjoy it and have no clue what to do with that particular study — when they are finished.

Their parents in the first place drive the reason that they are studying. Their parents did grow up in the paradigm of the Industrial Age. That did mean that if you obtained a university degree you had a good chance of finding a reasonable job, until you retire. And, as these parents are still living in that old paradigm, and have not awakened to the Connection Age that has started years ago, they are setting up their children for failure. Failure because there are hardly any jobs available and they certainly won’t last until your retirement. Even companies like Google have dropped the prerequisite that you need to have a university degree.

These young students are very unhappy as they are ‘forced’ to do a study that they don’t like. So, what can you do? Actually there is quite a lot that you can do. You can do a side job that brings you valuable skills and experience. For example, I did meet this geography student and she was very interested in travelling and discovering other cultures. She could work part time for an online travel agency, or she could volunteer to help refugees in her city (to experience different cultures). She also could read books about other countries, or even follow MOOC’s about them.

So, why is this not happening, why are they just being unhappy with their situation and take no action? Mainly, because they have not taken ownership for their own life, they have still ‘subcontracted’ their life to their parents. But, if you are 20 years old, you are responsible for your own life and you should do what you think you should do! You have to live with yourself for a long time, so you’d better make it attractive. You will suffer the most from being unemployed, as it will be nearly impossible to find a job in area for which you cannot show any enthusiasm.

Please stop being a victim and own your future!