Recently, I met a bunch of grads out of high school going into college. This was an Indian-American group of teens, so high expectations come part and parcel with this group.
I should know. Almost two decades ago, I was part of this group.
I saw almost every one being exceptional in exactly the same way.
I saw the honor roll society accolades. Principal’s awards. The high SAT and ACT scores. The plethora of the same extracurricular clubs. DECA, Model UN, etc.
The president of this-and-that.
All heading off into the same directions. Pre-med. Commerce programs. Engineering.
In other words, I saw this grads acting exactly like me and my peers from 2007.
But the world is so dramatically different today.
The industrial era is coming to an end. Our work no longer has linear paths. They didn’t even back then, but we didn’t know any better.
Doctors tell me about the lack of control they feel as private equity takes over their practices and clinics. When they feel like their “customer” is the insurance company they’re dealing with, not their actual patient.
Lawyers tell me how unceremoniously they are dumped from their big law jobs where they thought they were safe.
And engineers. Well, the tech world has upended almost every norm about how things should work.
What do I even say about those going into the business fields of white collar work?
Almost every group telling me that they wish they’d looked at more options. Expanded their vision a bit more. Before committing to a path that an 18 year old decided on (and more likely a 15 year old).
Despite this completely shifting world, these grads hold on. They hold on to the dream of becoming doctors, engineers, lawyers, accountants and management consultants.
Nothing wrong with any of these jobs. Except I wonder how their path will unfold for them.
I wish I could go back into the past and prepare myself differently.
I wish I could tell these grads to take some time off before going to college. I wish I could tell them to actually see what other things you can learn to do right now that can expand your worldview.
That what actually matters is creativity as much as left-brained logic, plans, and linear thinking.
That initiative and vision matters. And that mindless compliance won’t get you where you want to go.
After a lifetime of becoming excellent test-takers, they have become excellent at fitting the mold.
I wish I could tell them these things because I have been this person. And I wish I could tell them they can do things differently.
I hope and pray the best for them. They are all hardworking extraordinary people. They are honest and sincere. They are optimistic and starry eyed.
I want the world for them. I just hope they figure out the silent new rule book sooner rather than later.
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