Things I Wish My Parents Had Told Me #1

I have decided to temporarily deviate from my normal weekly interview format. Instead, I bring you “Things I Wish My Parents Had Told Me.” That’s trademarked, so don’t bother trying to steal it.

I have been thinking about this topic a lot recently because I am lucky enough to have had very involved parents who (I feel) taught me a lot of valuable lessons. But now that I am an adult, I see that there’s a lot they never said to me—things that, had I known them, would have helped tremendously. So, instead of just complaining to them (What were you guys thinking?) I have decided to complain here, to the public! It’s too late for my parents, maybe some of you out there can use this.

Things I Wish My Parents Had Told Me #1:

“If you're in college and you’re not sure what you want to major in, figure out what industries are expected to grow in the next few years and if the industry interests you, major in that.”

Don’t get huffy, I’m not saying kids should abandon their dreams. If you have a dream, you should of course go for it! I just remember being a sophomore in college and everyone was declaring their majors and I thought, what should I say I want to major in? Other people talked about passion and dreams and yearning and I thought, what’s wrong with me? Why don’t I feel superpassionate about anything? I liked theater so that’s what I made my major. But did I love it? No. Do I wish that my parents had forced me to get a business degree? Now I do! Or I wish they would have mentioned that I should consider double majoring or minoring in something else—something even slightly marketable.

All I’m proposing is that maybe instead of trying to get kids to find their bliss within their job, encourage them to find employment period! This isn’t a foolproof plan (did I mention I’m not a parent?) but I just wish someone had said to me, hey, focus on getting a job in which you can do well and that has room for growth—this doesn’t mean you're a sellout and that you can’t still pursue whatever your dream is in the hours before and after work. Or even find a job that pairs your passion with newly acquired skills (business + theater could equal theater manager). But if you don’t get educated in something that anyone wants to employ you in, you will be homeless. Think about that.

Subject: Crystal Copes

Crystal’s answers got me thinking about accomplishments. One of the reasons I started this blog was because I thought it could be an opportunity to learn about people. But something I didn’t count on was being able to give those same people a chance to take a moment and be proud of themselves! And the accomplishments don’t have to particularly newsworthy—no one is saying that they won an Oscar or ended a war or saved someone’s life. But so often, we go through life only noticing what we think needs changing, what we did wrong, what could be better. It’s important to take time to think about our own achievements so I’m glad I’m able to do that, in a small way.

Q: What is the quality you most admire in other people?
A: I would say being truthful. Because it’s a quality that I have and I would like for other people to show me the same respect. Living a lie is harder than just being upfront.

Q: If you could go back in time and change one thing, what would it be?
A: I would go back and make more financial investments because right now, it’s a little rough.

Q: Who are/have been the most influential people in your life?
A: My parents because they’ve been there to support me from me having a job, to not having a job, not knowing what I want to do, what direction I’m going to go in, etc. They’ve always been there guiding me without forcing me.

Q: What are you looking forward to?
A: Starting my new career path (story producing for television). So far I’ve lived my life to where I don’t really know what direction it’s going in, this finally seems what I should be doing, it feels right.

Q: What is the biggest mistake you ever made and were you able to fix it?
A: Making the choice to move in with a boyfriend and realizing halfway through the lease that it wasn’t the right decision.

Q: What is your greatest accomplishment so far?
A: Finding my independence.

Q: Best advice you’ve ever received? Worst advice?
A: Best advice is from my dad: It’s better to be on time or early but never late.
I think the worst advice would be to go back to an ex. They are an ex for a reason!

Q: What is the political issue you care about most right now?
A: Health care, it should be free. Other countries don’t have this issue. It’s definitely a big concern.

Q: Most useful technological advance in the last 50 years? Least useful?
A: Cell phones are the most useful, nobody could live without their crackberries.
Least useful—the Snuggie. Just put a blanket on!

Q: Worst/funniest date story?
A: I don’t go on a lot of dates—maybe that’s the embarrassment right there.

Q: Worst fashion trend of all time?
A: MC Hammer pants. And they came back—why would you bring those back? Not cute!