The biggest dilemma I faced after finishing high school was choosing between studying what I wanted to and what was considered the “right” field to study. In fact, throughout my three years in high school, I constantly thought about which profession would fulfill me and allow me to work without feeling like it was a burden.

When my school friends and I discussed our future studies, they often based their decisions on the achievements of someone they knew, usually a brother or sister. As the first child in the family, I didn’t have such examples to follow. I had to pave the way for myself and others.

Writing has always been a part of me. It has served as both an escape from reality and a way to voice emotions and thoughts that I could not express otherwise. With pencil and paper, I could weave my thoughts and feelings together. I even had a notebook filled with poems and essays; it was my safe place. It was a world where I was the main character and where everything I wrote had significance.

But I wanted to do more than just write. I wanted a profession where I would meet new people daily, write about new topics and help find solutions to the problems we face every day and never discuss — the taboo subjects we try to hide from. I wanted to discover the secrets behind every untruth, but above all, I wanted to communicate universal concerns. My curiosity and desire to make meaningful contributions were qualities that I thought I could cultivate best if I studied journalism.

The “right” profession

Without access to reliable career advice, finishing high school became a time of disorientation and doubt instead of pride.

This also made us more sensitive to comments from others, however baseless they may be. Often, those around me challenged my decisions, voicing concerns about safety, working hours, potential threats and low pay. Considering all these concerns, I took a deep breath and asked myself if I was ready to pursue a career that would fulfill me despite its potential disadvantages.

Besides, I have noticed that there is a common belief that students who excel academically should study natural sciences and that the social sciences are not as valuable. I have also noticed this in discussions with colleagues about the challenges they faced before deciding what to study. Even now, some struggle to choose their field of studies due to prejudices against certain fields. This doubles the pressure on them to make the right decision.

Even my parents believed that the best fields for me to study were medicine, computer science or maybe education. This was also influenced by an environment where journalism wasn’t seen as a worthwhile profession, as many people thought anyone could be a journalist. They just wanted me to choose a profession they considered better.

I decided otherwise

Being accepted into the journalism bachelor’s program was my first step into the world of media. It finally felt like something. It was quite different from what I had imagined; it was more real, disciplined and yet more beautiful.

I have always defended journalists in discussions where they were spoken of badly or where their role was diminished. I am used to hearing people describe journalism as an unworthy profession, but without journalists, how would we learn about what happens around us? How can we challenge the injustices around us if we don’t know they exist? How would we understand what happens in the world? These questions alone highlight journalism’s importance.

The answers to these questions push me to become a journalist. For me, being a journalist means being the person who provides information when everyone else is guessing what happened, finding solutions to problems that have become normalized, researching beyond the obvious and making a difference.

It means covering topics that resonate with us, looking for the cause of people’s problems, examining everything from different angles, especially those that are often overlooked. It also means writing about the difficulties that young people face when choosing their field of study. They often have to make these decisions without support from their school and with contradictory advice, often rooted in prejudices about different professions.

What is considered “right” for others is not right for everyone. Everyone goes through a period of discussions, conflict and self-doubt. It is important for those close to students who are trying to find their path to understand that every suggestion and piece of advice has weight. Depending on who gives this advice and how they say it, they can either encourage someone to pursue their dreams or pressure them to choose a profession that meets others’ expectations rather than their own dreams. Look beyond conventions and try to see what your children envisage for themselves. Give them space to express their dreams and help them shape them. Don’t try to build their dreams for them.

Feature Image: Atdhe Mulla / K2.0.