As we approach adulthood, we are not only asked by the family, but we also ask ourselves: Which profession should I choose? What do I really like? Which profession will bring me more financial resources and possibly fame in less time? Thus, when the choice is not right, frustration or discouragement throughout the studies can be taken for granted.
But to think about this issue, we must consider that the choice of a professional area to work is just one among many others that we do in other areas of life. And just like in these others, when thinking about a profession, we are influenced by so many other factors, not only psychological or behavioral, but also social or cultural.
From a more critical perspective, it is necessary to consider that the historical and social context ends up dictating its fashions, since a range of values and worldviews ends up prevailing. Therefore, not for free, individualism and the thirst for fame and success are very present in a reality in which capitalism is the mode of economic production predominant, since it will be in this capitalist society where individuality and freedom will be ahead of other values such as equality or notions such as collectivity. Obviously, the desire for social recognition is not an invention of capitalist societies and, as is known, it has been present throughout the centuries in the most diverse societies. However, within the scope of professional choices, the desire for success at all costs can elude and cause frustration in a world so competitive, when in fact personal and professional fulfillment could lie in the anonymity of so many important functions and professions the society.
But if the very historical and social context in which we live can offer traps to young people at the time of their choice (this is due to the predominance of an alienated view of reality, mainly stimulated by the media in general), another aggravating factor is its own condition as adolescent. Adolescence itself is a stage or period in an individual's life characterized by conflict, crisis and the redefinition of identity. Thus, “[...] the stage of adolescence represents a period of constitutive or normative identity crisis, which will take on different aspects, depending on the society and culture in which the subject lives. In this period, the normative crisis of adolescence stands out, which becomes a time of “turning point” and reorganization of the personality itself, thus representing a possibility of support for the future.” (TARDELI, 2012, s/p). Therefore, the difficulty of getting it right in the professional choice increases, because exactly at a time of transformation such as adolescence, we are forced to choose a path and follow it. So, not surprisingly, indecision and insecurity are present, although many believe they are right about what they want.
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In a survey with teenagers about professional guidance prepared by Professor Denise Tardeli between 2005 and 2007, most respondents stated that nothing (family, society, among other aspects) would influence their choices. However, it is possible to say that this statement by the young people interviewed in the survey can be relative, as it is undeniable that the formation of one's own opinion suffers external influences when we live in society. The decision for a profession is not so autonomous and independent of a reality in which it is inserted. According to the researcher, “[...] this decision does not occur in a strictly subjective manner, as young people might assume. They can probably make choices autonomously, but always within socially constructed ways. Choosing a profession is an increasingly difficult task as society becomes more complex.” (IBIDEM, s/p).
In a society in which appearances predominate, the cult of consumerism and the desire for success through the minor effort and with greater speed, some professions such as models and soccer players permeate the imagination of the most young. When they realize that these areas are not for everyone, they face the harsh reality of the labor market, which is becoming more and more demanding and less and less remunerative. The charm with certain areas that, historically, are linked to a certain status and social recognition, such as engineering, medicine and law, it also attracts thousands of teenagers, making the entrance exam for these areas increasingly competitive and the job market increasingly swollen. As is known, currently, a diploma and university education do not guarantee professional success.
Adolescents alone should not be blamed for their choices, but they need guidance and dialogue so that, in this way, they discover not only what are your best skills, but fundamentally, get to know the world around you and the real challenges, obstacles and pleasures of each profession. Thus, it is necessary to equate, at the time of choosing, what can be called a vocation with some prior knowledge about the professional path one wishes to follow. So what matters is not the choice itself, but the much-needed common sense before it.
Paulo Silvino Ribeiro
Brazil School Collaborator
Bachelor in Social Sciences from UNICAMP - State University of Campinas
Master in Sociology from UNESP - São Paulo State University "Júlio de Mesquita Filho"
Doctoral Student in Sociology at UNICAMP - State University of Campinas
