Tracing roots of success in school (Asian Parent Ping)

dailypennsylvanian.com ^ | December 5, 2005 | adreyo sen

[strategofr]

""Forget the 'do whatever makes you happy' mentality and strive for professions with financial security and intellectual fulfillment."

Boy, that one right there is priceless. "

I presume you are being sarcastic. When I was growing up, I absorbed the idea that I should just look for some subject that interested me---that was the only criteria for choosing a major. This single idea ended up contributing significantly to the fact that I've been pretty poor all my life---even though I was a great student in school.

It sounds to me like these Asian kids are getting sound advice, in this regard.

As far as the other aspects, I would sum it up like this. They go too far in one direction, we go too far in the opposite direction. We should both learn from each other and meet in the middle.

[11th_VA]

Could you please show us the entire list? This is great stuff.

I'm still looking for it - I gleaned those from other articles ...

[11th_VA]

I absorbed the idea that I should just look for some subject that interested me---that was the only criteria for choosing a major.

I think I took a middle road approach - But I do recall a conversation I had with young black male recently. He had a college education in theater, but no job prospects - he didn't think peolpe who took jobs just for money were happy. I told him wait a few years.

[Pessimist]

"I presume you are being sarcastic."

Actually, I was being serious. I meant it in a positive way. I agree it should be taken with a grain of salt to some extent (ie. don't pursue an occupation you absolutely hate just for the money), but it definetely needs to be a consideration.

So much of what it taught in school these days is more about an ideology or agenda than it is about any practical application or value.

[strategofr]

"Actually, I was being serious. "

A while after I posted, it occurred to me that that was very likely, what you meant.