Students usually face a lot of pressure when planning their future. College and Career Seminar teacher Vanessa Hadikusumah shares her advice about developing a meaningful vision.
Rampage: What advice do you have for students when developing a plan after high school?
Hadikusumah: Speaking from my own experience, I’ve come to the conclusion that finding your purpose in life is really important. To me, finding my purpose is directly tied to this idea of “how can I contribute to society?” So in my career, in my hobbies and interests, I always attempt to answer this. If you are torn between many different appealing careers, find out what is really important to you and make sure that is achievable in your chosen career.
Rampage: What are some important factors to consider when choosing a career?
Hadikusumah: I think for me personally, that it is meaningful, that it is stimulating and that it satisfies and balances with my personal life. Meaningful, because you have to believe in what you’re doing; it can’t go against your principles or values. Stimulating, because you don’t want to get bored, and balances with the rest of your life because you are going to have other priorities such as family.
Rampage: What are some common obstacles students face that prevent them from pursuing their vision?
Hadikusumah: We have a lot of notions of ourselves, what we can and can’t do, that are firmly ingrained in us by high school, and if you’re able to work with them, manage them and overcome them, then you flourish and fly. But if you allow them to hold you back, then they will be an obstacle your whole life.
Rampage: What is an important step for students to take to strive towards their vision?
Hadikusumah: I think tapping into people with experience is important for a more holistic understanding.
Rampage: How did your vision of being a teacher come to be?
Hadikusumah: I had known from a pretty early age that serving others was pretty important to me. I get a lot of satisfaction and emotional rewards from helping and serving others, so I knew that I wanted to go into a career where that was a major component. I think it was that paired with how I really do believe in education. It’s one of the few things in life that I don’t doubt at all. I don’t think that everyone needs to get a higher degree, but the benefit of education in broadening your mind and your world.