Great Uncle Fred? I am 13-years-old but I still do not know what I`m going to be when I grow up. Most of my friends know what they are going to be but I cannot decide and I do not know how to decide. How do you choose which career to follow? (John, Summer 2008)

I think that I am possibly the worst person in the counry to answer this question as I have never had a career, just a series of jobs, and I landed by accident in almost all of them. However, I can tell you what I think and what I first of all think is that this is something that parents, as long as they are not too bossy, can really help with. But they must not try to impose their hopes and dreams and fears on you. Secondly, you are actually still very young to be making decisions which last. I know that the subjects you choose to study might determine what future course you take but keep this out of your mind for now. Study what you like the most, what you are best at (they are usually the same) and don`t panic. Try to explore your own mind in relation to the work you do: if there is something about your school work which hooks you like a fish, explore more. Perhaps that is where your life work will be... Listen to your instincts. Be open to possibilities. Let luck play the part that luck can play. Try to listen to the voice of your innermost being. It is worth trying and trying because the man who does work that he is good at, and loves to do, is as lucky as any man on Earth. Is that in any way helpful?

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