How does the gifted student choose just one career focus and college major without feeling as if he is giving something up in the other areas of potential study? The fact remains that most people manage to work in a total of ten or more career areas throughout the course of their lives. Choosing just one area is not necessary or even likely for most people.
Measuring the Gifted Student's Strengths
Many gifted kids have a strong propensity for either the math and science area or the language/linguistics bend. Many are also equally good in both subject groups. Students who are fascinated with scientific theories, scientific methods, theoretical constructs, experimentation, chemistry and similar areas are best apt to consider a career choice in the sciences.
Most gifted kids have a strong affinity for mathematics and numbers. Some of these students spend much of their time involved in math related games, equation solving, physics and other related concrete studies. These students may wish to pursue an area of study based on how they like to spend their time. However, just because a student is gifted in math does not mean she should major in this. Some would be bored with this and may not make good teachers, professors or accountants, depending on personality attributes.
Similarly, the gifted linguist who is highly proficient in word play, writing, reading and literature may find a career that suits his talents in this field. An important consideration is the interest level and an evaluation of how much time he likes to spend on language related activities. A gifted student may find a career in the arts, like drama, dance, art or film, the right choice to suit his talents and creative drive.
Prioritizing the Gifted Child's Passions and Interests
Most gifted students pursue the areas that they feel most passionate about because they have so many choices based on multiple skills and abilities. An important consideration is for the child to follow his heart and not his wallet. Enjoying the work is much more important than making lots of money. Most gifted students will find a way to accomplish both wealth and a stimulating career over time. The money will increase as his skills develop. The productivity and overall work performance of gifted people is notably superior to the norm.
An undergraduate degree in general studies or a liberal arts orientation is often the best direction for the gifted student who is unsure about his path. For those that know they love engineering, science or medicine, they need not be overly concerned about their ability to handle the work, which is a huge psychological advantage when entering the college environment.
Parents need to allow the student to evaluate his options without undue influence or interference. The attorney needs to accept the fact that his son wants to be a film maker or designer and has no interest in studying law, if that is his dream. Pushing the child into a career will not be a successful undertaking, whether the child is gifted or not.
Mapping a Life Plan and Mission for a Gifted Student
Gifted students need to focus on the big picture. Thinking in terms of what she wants to accomplish in her lifetime and how she can have a positive impact on the world, the environment, humankind or society is an insightful vantage point.
Imagining what the person would like to be remembered for after he is gone from this world, is an exercise everyone should undertake on a yearly basis. Mapping out a mission for one's life, that can be changed and updated regularly, adds meaning and direction to one's efforts. Every activity and effort a person undertakes can be measured against the life goal and priorities can be easily determined.
In conclusion, gifted kids need to evaluate their desires and find the right niche for a college major. Since so many people have several careers over the course of a lifetime, the gifted child need not feel the choice is a permanent field.
Money should be a secondary consideration and the student should take a big picture view of his career. Thinking in terms of what he wants to contribute to society in his lifetime will help him focus on the most important career endeavors. Parents should avoid pushing the student in one particular direction or another and should allow him to find his own way.
Please read the related article, Dealing With_the_Underachieving_Gifted_Teen.
Therese Haberman - With a MS degree and 25 years in HR mgmt, in 2005, Ms.Therese began a writing career specializing in children and HR.
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