Vocational Guidance and Mental Health

“Mmmmm! What would you like to be when you grow up? What profession do you want to pursue?”
These are questions often asked by mothers, teachers, and society to children. Most children dream of becoming doctors, lawyers, or following their parents’ footsteps, while some reject the family profession or seek something entirely different. Others choose careers accepted by society or follow their true passion. At a young age, children often don’t know what they really want to do later in life and are usually influenced by their surroundings.

As children become teenagers, approaching 17 or 18 years old and nearing the end of their formal education, they face the difficult decision of what to do next. Should they continue their studies? Attend university or college? Study abroad? Enroll in a private school? Learn an art or a trade? The questions pile up: “What should I choose? Which profession suits me best? Should I pick a ‘male’ or ‘female’ profession? What criteria should I use to decide? Will this job provide financial stability? Will I be competitive in the job market? And if I don’t like the job, can I study for a second degree? Is it even possible to work hard and study at the same time? What if my family cannot afford the costs? So many worries! Will I ever have time to enjoy life?” These are common concerns of responsible teenagers anxious about their future and career path.

Everyone passes through this challenging stage of doubts and questions during adolescence. Yet, how can one organize these thoughts and make the right choice? Career guidance is a complex decision, and a wrong choice can haunt us for life, often leading to regret.

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What Criteria Should Guide Your Career Choice?

The first question you must ask yourself is: “Why do I want this profession?”
Is it to earn money and financial security? Or to do something you truly love, regardless of financial rewards? Ideally, most would want a job that they enjoy and that also pays well. However, life sometimes brings unexpected challenges far from youthful dreams. Many end up in jobs they dislike simply because these provide a decent income to support their families.

When we are young, free, and without responsibilities, we want to do what we love. But as we grow older and take on family and financial responsibilities, many say, “I chose this path so I can put food on the table!”

Young people should seek advice and gather information about their future plans. Consulting family, learning from those already working, or speaking to a social worker or psychologist can be crucial. Mental health problems often arise when someone is stuck in a job they cannot handle emotionally.

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The Importance of the Right Fit

A society’s prosperity depends largely on placing the right people in the right jobs for maximum efficiency and productivity. When choosing a career, ask yourself honestly:

• Can I do this job?

• Do I have the mental and emotional strength for it? For example, can I be a nurse or doctor, able to handle blood, germs, and emergencies?

• Can I bear the responsibility that comes with this profession?

• Do I want a job that brings prestige or financial rewards?

Think about specific professions:

• If you want to be a dancer, do you have the physical ability, discipline, and willingness to practice daily?

• If you want to be a musician, can you endure practicing many hours every day?

• If you want to work in IT, can you sit in front of screens for long hours?

• If you want to be a teacher, are you prepared to spend hours reading and preparing lessons?

These are just a few examples to help you think critically and honestly. Ultimately, the choice is yours and yours alone. You will be responsible for your decisions and the career you pursue.

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Reality Check: Opportunities and Challenges

In Greece, if you regret your initial career choice, there is a second chance to change fields at around 23 years old. However, only about 5% succeed in passing the tough qualifying exams for a second degree. Financial problems, family support, and time constraints are major obstacles. Life moves fast; you cannot afford to waste time.

After you graduate, with degrees, diplomas, and qualifications, you face the reality of the job market. Hundreds of thousands of graduates apply for very few jobs. Finding stable work can take years. Temporary contracts of a few months to a year become the norm, often without job security. Many spend years waiting for employment in government offices for the unemployed.

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Conclusion

Vocational guidance is not just about choosing a job — it is about understanding yourself, your strengths, your limits, and your values. It is crucial to get informed, ask for help, and think deeply before making decisions that will shape your future and your mental wellbeing.

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Thank you for reading my article.

Charoula Koutsouroumpa
RN Nurse Professor
© Copyright Greece 2015 – Protected Original Work