How has your parents' aspirations for you affected your goals?

[Calebark]

This is branching off the discussion located here.

I was personally pushed towards being a truck driver or bus driver (my father worked as both). I rebelled a lot against my family, so naturally, I never once wanted to do either of those things.

Interested to hear from everybody else

[jamonwindeyer]

Really interesting chat idea Calebark!

My Mum wanted me to be a Doctor. Until she had to be part of a jury and was impressed by the lawyers, so then wanted me to be a lawyer. Never to a level that actually impacted me, but it was always what she had in mind

[Quantum44]

Both my parents were teachers so they want me to do anything but teaching. Although they really want me to do medicine (if I can get in) since I've always loved science, and now I'm inclined to agree after how much I enjoyed bio last year.

[Joseph41]

Both my parents were teachers so they want me to do anything but teaching. Although they really want me to do medicine (if I can get in) since I've always loved science, and now I'm inclined to agree after how much I enjoyed bio last year.

Did your parents not enjoy teaching, Quantum?

[Quantum44]

Did your parents not enjoy teaching, Quantum?

Well they pursued their passion for music, and like most of people who do so, they ended up as music teachers. I guess it's made them cynical about pursuing areas with limited employment opportunities. As for teaching itself, I don't think minded it, I just think they wanted better for their children. My parents valued education a lot so ending up in a low paid career like teaching after they had sacrificed so much for us would have been disappointing.

[rachid.kam]

Well to be honest, my parents are the only thing that keeps pushing me to strive harder in life. My father couldn't attend school after year 2 as the fees were just too expensive for his severely asthmatic father and their burdened financial status. Determined to make a change, my father set out alone 150 km away from home to the capital city Beirut at the age of 9 to try and earn some money for medication and buy food to feed his parents and 7 other siblings. However, my mum did actually complete her VCE and was even offered a course in IT Technology. Only a few months into her course she had to defer because of me, denying herself of her dream career in order to care for and nurture me. So in all, they both missed out on some great opportunities in life, they never to be what they wanted to be. So I guess I feel bad for them, but they never stopped trying to provide all the comforts and necessities I need to succeed in life, so that I instead could have a shot that they missed out on. They are the reason why I keep going on, why I am who I am today. And inevitably, they are my real inspiration in life. Lol, I've got tears in my eyes! 

[K888]

Great thread idea Calebark!

Personally, my parents have never pushed me towards anything. My career path has been mine and mine alone to choose. They have offered their comments/opinions and support along the way, but have never said "I want you to do x". I really appreciate the attitude they've taken, it made year 12 a lot easier, and also made having some brainstorming discussions with them to map out my ideas much easier, because it was all related back to my aspirations.

As my mum said, I'm the one that has to work in that particular field, so I need to make sure I'm choosing something that fits me. As long as I put my best efforts into something and I'm happy, they're happy - they had the same approach with my siblings too

[thammie]

Great thread idea Calebark!

Personally, my parents have never pushed me towards anything. My career path has been mine and mine alone to choose. They have offered their comments/opinions and support along the way, but have never said "I want you to do x". I really appreciate the attitude they've taken, it made year 12 a lot easier, and also made having some brainstorming discussions with them to map out my ideas much easier, because it was all related back to my aspirations.

As my mum said, I'm the one that has to work in that particular field, so I need to make sure I'm choosing something that fits me. As long as I put my best efforts into something and I'm happy, they're happy - they had the same approach with my siblings too

I'm really lucky my parents are like that as well.... My mum always wanted to be a nurse (she still does but thinks it's a bit too late now) but my grandma wouldn't let her which is why she supports us in whatever we do as long as we will enjoy the job and be happy.

[coolbook]

My parents wanted to go into commerce, when I always wanted to get into medicine. Now i'm thinking about going into actuary

[strawberryshortcakee]

my parents have always wanted me to get into engineering but i've never had the slightest interest in it. i wanna do business and after many discussion with them, they have started being more considerate. but yeah having parents who want to enforce their dream on to you is really hard, coz honestly we all have our own dreams to chase.
 

[Joseph41]

my parents have always wanted me to get into engineering but i've never had the slightest interest in it. i wanna do business and after many discussion with them, they have started being more considerate. but yeah having parents who want to enforce their dream on to you is really hard, coz honestly we all have our own dreams to chase.

Absolutely!

What year are you in at the moment?

And welcome to the forums, strawberryshortcakee.

[Quantum44]

My parents wanted to go into commerce, when I always wanted to get into medicine. Now i'm thinking about going into actuary

What makes you prefer actuarial studies over medicine?

[coolbook]

What makes you prefer actuarial studies over medicine?

In year 10, I was really bad at science, so I'm not doing any science subjects now. And medicine is a really stressful and demanding career.
So i'm considering actuary, or maybe even commerce, but i'm not doing spesh, so I can't guarantee that I can get into acturary

[Quantum44]

In year 10, I was really bad at science, so I'm not doing any science subjects now. And medicine is a really stressful and demanding career.
So i'm considering actuary, or maybe even commerce, but i'm not doing spesh, so I can't guarantee that I can get into acturary

What year are you in? It might not be too late to choose spesh if you think your passion is in maths, but you can also get in with methods at some universities I think. Commerce is also an interesting field, are you doing VCE economics or accounting?