Wow - a great two minutes for anyone to watch! Ben Stein offers some deep thoughts for the graduating class of 2010 on deciding which career to pursue in this story titled, 'Decide To Live' - watch:
Watch CBS News Videos Online
David
'Decide To Live' - CBS News Video
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
72 comments:
Regardless of what you want to do, whether it's to be a singer or something that doesn't require a college degree, I think it's a good idea to still get a degree. Singing may not work out, or you may figure out that whatever you thought you wanted to do doesn't work for you. You will always have that degree to fall back on regardless of what you think you want to do. You can never go wrong by getting a degree, but I do think that you have to do what you think will make you happy in life. If you are doing something your parents or someone else pushed you to do then you are bound to be unhappy and hate going to work everyday regardless of how much you make.
"Decide to Live" - it is your life and when the day is done you have to deal with the choices made good, bad, or indifferent. Do something you love to do and when you wake up in the morning you look forward to getting out of bed. It took me getting married, having a child and getting a divorce before I realized I wanted to finish school. The one thing I can say through my journey is my heart has been into school because it is something I want for me and my son, not for my family. I can not to get enough, wow who would have ever thought that, not me. I have one degree and want to continue on to the next level. It is NEVER TOO LATE!!! Do I look back and want to kick myself in the rear sometimes YES. But through life I have learned and continue to learn you have to take risk to grow. No I am not saying don’t go to school and get a degree. These days you need more than a degree to make a decent living. Just get a degree or take up a trade in something you are interested in. When you do that you thrive to learn more, you thrive to succeed and you can wake up happy with the choices you made. It just took me a little longer to realize that, and that too is ok. Just a reminder there is always a reaction to every action. Never look at the past as you cannot change it, but you are in charge of your future
Interesting form of advice! I agree with Ben Stein, it is very wise major in something you are interested in, versus what someone else wants you to do. There are going to be various individuals around you that have an opinion about your career choice but ultimately you have to choose what's best for you. Think about it, this is going to be your career for the rest of your life until retirement. My advice when selecting a major is to think of your future. Personally, my first intended major was pharmacy because my family and friends said I should do so, and a year later I realized my true interest was in health care management! Do what's in your heart!
I can agree with this completely. When I first started college, my family really wanted me to go to Optometry school, but that wasn't me. Instead, I changed to accounting. Now, I can't wait to graduate and see what all I can do with my degree!
Great video. I agree. I can't see myself doing something for the rest of my life that I am not happy about.
I always knew Ben Stein was smart! I am 52 years old and have known a lot of folks that had good incomes but were not happy. I have also known folks that didn't make much money, but were FAR happier and content that the 'rich' folks. These were the people that follow their dreams.
Always remember that money doesn't make you happy, but it is a requirement to exist. When you are young you can make a balance where you are earning enough to eat while you are pursuing what you WANT to do. That is, in my mind, the best way to start life. Be reasonable and have a 'real' job, but shoot for the stars and try to find the RIGHT job that you will love!
Richard Hight
This is great advice. However this information should be given to beginning freshman over and over again. I find so many people that are in college not knowing what they want to do or even who they are. I believe most of these people don't make it out of college and the rest are just there so they can stay under their parent’s roof. I believe happiness and meaningfulness of life is directly related to your job and career path.
You spend most of your time at work. If you’re not happy there it will carry on into every other aspect of your life. Having a job and responsibilities brings meaning to your life. It gives you something to either look forward to or dread.
Living a happy life and taking chances is how I want to live my life. I want to live the life I want to live even if it means taking risk and living on the edge. Happiness is most important. Therefore choosing the right road to achieve education and placing myself in the job I need to be in is a main goal for me.
Obviously I want to say!! But most of the poeple are going to agree with what he said and never do anything different. It takes a lot of courage and even more sacrifices to get where you want to be, and sometimes poeple would rather try to be satisfied and even happy whith what they have instead of pursuing the real happiness.
I have a son who is learning disabled. To say "get a college degree" for him is not an option. But I do say to him, be happy in the work that you do. Have a reason to get up in the morning. Enjoy the day and the people you meet. My son has accomplished that and recently bought his first home. I am very proud of him. In my own life I have tried to make the best out of situations in order to be happy. I have a husband who allows me the freedom to do just that. It is a great life. Now that my children are having children, I look forward to many years of being their grandmother.
The Decide to live video was a good video and made me realize that I am glad I chose my own degree. I am very happy that my family did not force me to do something I didn't want to.
I can’t imagine doing something for the rest of my life that I hate. Even tho I am getting ready to graduate and I still have no idea about what I’m going to do about my future I’m not really worried. I guess I’m not because I know that I’m a risky person who will do what ever it takes to have/get what I want. I don’t like being on the safe side, so I totally agree with Ben. I’m not going to be an un-happy person with my life because of my family, I know that they will support me with whatever crazy idea I get about perusing my future.
"Decide to Live" -- I am in agreement with Ben Stein. I think sometimes our parents and family tend to push us in a direction that they feel safe. So, I think college is great but I plan to live. The other important point is to make that call yourself. Do not depend on your parents, lover or husband - make you happy and those who love will be happy to.
I agree with Lu. If I was doing something for the rest of my life that I really hated then I would be miserable. Learning and doing new things makes life more challenging and interesting.
I think that you should always do what you want to do. Dont let anyone else force you into something that you know you are not going to be happy with. You certainly cannot enjoy life if you are unhappy, so do something that makes you happy!
Great video and great advice! You can't choose a career based on pressure from family members or the desire to make a ton of money. The truly smart people know it is best to follow your heart and do what you love regardless of your income. I would rather be happy than in a career I hate and miserable in life.
This is good stuff to think about when asking have I accomplished the things that I value in life. I do want to make a lot of money in my life. I love the major i am in and believe i have the driving force to get me to where i want to be.
I found this clip to be very interesting. We would probably be very surprised with the amount of people who dislike their job and chose their career path because of the influence that a family member had. It seems like in today's world more people dislike their jobs then actually like their jobs. That is why it is very important for me to get a job I am happy with, I do not want to be one of those people miserable in my 30's.
Taking risk and chances does make me happy, at least I can say I did it, and it was or wasn’t the right thing for me. My parent taught me to be independent do whats best fits me. So I feel that Ben Stein makes great point about making a decision to live make all the differences in the world.
I think that this video is so true. I have been in college for 6 years now and changed my major a few times and sat out a few semesters. I just could not decide what I wanted to do and although my parents wanted me to do this or my friends suggested I should do that I had decided that I wanted to figure out what I wanted to and what would make me happy for the rest of my life. So after sitting out a few semesters I decided that I was going to get a degree in Accounting and then get my CPA and now I am going to be graduating in December and cannot be more excited to see where I will go from here!!
I agree with what Ben was saying, if go into a career that you can not see yourself in 20-30 years from now, then you should get out of it before it is too late.
Ben Stein as great advice, living life is better that just cruising life. Better to live and loved and have regrets then not. The one thing that struck me the most about the video was that the students all went nuts for the camera instead of listing to the advice, make you wonder if they even got it.
This is so true!!! I would rather work my butt off doing what I enjoy than make millions doing something that I would be bored with. Would you rather be rich and unhappy or poor and happy?
One should always follow their heart when picking a career, because the majority of one’s life will be spent working in that career. There is no better feeling than to get paid for something you enjoy doing everyday.
What a great piece of advice. "Decide to Live" is a great motto. However, I am a little guilty of choosing a career path that is considered "safe" financially. I am very interested in business and accounting, no one talked me into it. But I must admit I chose it hoping for a bigger salary in the future.
This video made me look back at my situation. I was never pressured into doing what anyone else wanted. I did what I wanted to do. I'm glad that I am on the right path to beginning my life long career. Even though I am not sure where I will be when I graduate, I know that I will make the right choices for my career.
I think that was some good advice, but it only helps if you have some burning passion to do one particular thing. Some people don't really feel that way about anything one thing, but have a mild interest in just about everything. How are you supposed to pick a life-long career if nothing stands out?
This video was really good and I enjoyed listening to the short video. Most people just settle with a job and years down the road they wonder how they ended up where they are and hate there job. I am lucky my parents never forced me to study a certain profession and they supported me with the decisions I have made in my college career.
I really wish I had taken some time to think about what I wanted to major in. I've changed my major 4 times, and I'm still dissatisfied. My major is Finance, but I would prefer it to be Management because that's what I would be more comfortable working in. Luckily, I can still get my MBA in Management and make up for it.
These is really true!!! doing what you like is the most important, it does not matter how much you earn, it is deciding to live the live you like and be happy in with it. Sometimes we straggle too much in class because it may not be what we want to major in and we tend to have little interest in it, most of the time parents or friends decide our major. It cost a lot to do what you don't like and have regrets and boredom every minutes for the rest of your life. Deciding to live the live YOU choose! the things which make you happy! doing things that u like! Is Deciding to Live!!!
This is a great video to watch! Who really knows what they want to do at 17 or 18 when they start college? I chose accounting because I thought I would be able to make a lot of money, but come to find out, I really can't stand it. I didn't change my major because I'm so ready to get out of school. If I had to do it all over again, I would have picked a major that I enjoyed doing, rather than one with a high salary.
I wished I saw a video similar to this prior to starting college. My main goal was to go for nursing because my friends were in it, they make good money & I will always have a job. Those are good reasons to go into that field besides "doing what your friends do". I, on the other hand, have learned that it is very important to get your education. Whether it is an Associates or a Masters, a degree is one thing nobody can take away from you.
I definitely agree with Ben Stein and his shrink(lol). I have always been a firm believer in following dreams. I do not think careers or professions should be dictated to someone. It should be an option and a preference. If you do wind up working in the field that you enjoy you will do more efficient work anyway because it is something you like. So I am all with the DECIDE TO LIVE movement.
In this generation graduating from college would be the best route, whether you want to make art or be an accountant. It's always a better choice to gain a higher education just to get ahead of others and then take risks after that. At least this way if your dreams of being a rock star fail, you will have something to fall back on, even if you want to be a music teacher.
The problem is that we don't value education as much as we should. I agree with what Nicole said about having something to fall back to if your plan for "superstar" status fails. It is something that no one will be able to take away from you no matter what!
Nicole made a very good point about having something back on if the risk taking experience does not pan out. But I also agree with Ben Stein's shrink to choose what you want to do and not what the family has done or what your parents want you do.
People do need to learn to live. I see people my age that are in school for things that are not making them happy but they think it is something they want to do the rest of their life. That has been beaten into their heads and they believe they will have a good life doing something they dont like. People need to start early and live the way they want to. Living life they happy way is alot better than being unhappy and miserable all time
This is a good video overall. When I was 18 I had no idea what I wanted to major in. I just kind of fell in to acounting because I heard they made good money. Accounting really is not fun or exciting to me but im so far along now it is to late to change majors. If I had to go back and do it all over again I would probably major in something else. Im not sure what it would be though.
I think this is a great video that all students new to college should watch. Ben Stein is right when it comes to pursuing a career that you enjoy. Everyone wants a job that is interesting and keeps you on your feet. I am a business major and I really enjoy it. Everyone has the option to choose what they want to be and they should pursue that dream.
I agree with the fact that you should do what you want to do and not what everyone else wants you to do. If you are doing something you dont like everyday then chances are you are not going to be happy.
i really like this short video. I think Ben is right when it comes to choosing your career. When I started going to college I had no idea what I was going to major in. I was thinking about accounting because that is what my mother always wanted me to do. I was an accounting major for about two semesters and I decided that it was just not for me. Now I am a management major and I love it. My classes are more interesting and I understand it better.
It is a shame that so many people do base their life off of what others tell them, in particular their parents or grandparents. For some, they go to live out their parents dreams because it is their parents paying for their schooling or maybe because they just do not want to disappoint them. Other reasons may be because it’s what generation after generation in their family has done. For some this may work, but individuals do need to make the right decision for their life.
This world is all about decision and there are only to choices the right and wrong one. I always ask myself it is good for me and then I do the quicker I can
This world is all about decision and there are only to choices the right and wrong one. I always ask myself it is good for me and then I do the quicker I can
"Decide to live." That should be the motto for everyone. Now I know everyone doesn't have the personality to be edgy of extreme but in some way they can. Live you life to the fullest! It's short...why not
Yes, i agree. It is your life, enjoy it and do anything that you like. I want to be an accounting. I know it is hard but i will do my best. My parents want me to be a nurse. I know nurse make a lot of money , so what?? i dont like it. You cant do something everyday that you dont like it.
I totally agree with Vy, it’s your life enjoy it to the fullest. Everything in life is all about decisions. You can become whatever you want to become as long as you work hard to get there. Don’t get stuck doing a job or in a career you don’t like. I know a few people that wish they would’ve done things differently and now they’re miserable. But it’s never too late to change.
While I agree that it is best to go ahead and do what you want and what is going to make you happy, I disagree with one thing the shrink said. I don't believe that it is ever too late to change your life! Even though it is hard to make a big change late in life, you should always try to find a way if it will make you happy! You only live once!
Get a degree and follow your dreams. Do what makes you happy. Money does not buy you happiness and love although it is nice but it is not everything.
My parents always wanted me to go to college and begin a successful career. I decided a long time ago I wanted to be a firefighter. So I found a way to please both my parents and myself. Get a Management degree to fall back on if my career as a firefighter falls through
I am sure everyone agrees with what Ben Stein said. This also applies to anything a person does in life. I have always been the type of person that lives on the edge, I love extreme sports like motocross, wakeboarding, snowboarding, etc. If I get hurt racing moto or doing something I love Ill still be happier than if I lived a boring safe life.
I agree with this video and everyone should do what makes them happy. A person doesn't necessarily have to be a movie star or rockstar to love what they do. Some jobs just aren't for certain people, which is why you can't let other people tell you what you should do with your life. Most likely, it is those people trying to re-live their life through you and what they wish they could've done when they were younger.
Sarah Tannehill Said..
Awww, i just love cute little old men!! Just thinking about graduation is scary! because that means i need to go out and find a big girl job. Oh gezz, I wish i could go back to high school. It was so much easier back then, with no responsibilities... Ben Stein is right. You should do what makes you happy! If you hate your job, you will hate waking up every morning to go to work.
He's dead on with this. I see so many people who persue a career because of the money they can make. They don't think about the fact they'll be miserable in a few years because they've relized they're trapped in a profession they have no desire to be in. I was an accounting major and midway thru accounting 220 I relized I had no desire to do that for a living. I'm good with numbers so for years i've had people telling me that I should be an accountant so that's what I choose to take. I'm glad I got out when I did. I'd hate to wake up every morning a dread going to the office because I was miserable.
I believe a person should live their own life. If you want to become a singer or actor/actress that's great, but it would be a smart thing to have a college degree as well, because these things don't always work out. As far as college athletes leaving college to go Pro early before graduation, I believe alot of times this is worth it because you are going to be making serious money and if this doesn't pant pant out you can still finish up the degree you started.
Deep thoughts...I love Ben Stein. He is so wise. I am pretty sure that I am choosing the right career to go into which is HR Management. I think I will be pretty happy in life because I am deciding for myself and nobody else is taking control of my life. I am deciding to LIVE.
I sort of went through this in my own life. My father, uncle, and many others in my family are doctors so I always thought that's what I wanted to be. It took me two years to decide I'm not big on science. I finally landed on accounting, for my love for math, and I'm positive it's what I want to do.
Good advice from Stein. No one should make a career choice based on what someone else want them to do. One should make their own decisions, career choices, because if you don't you may regret it in the future.
I definitely think that you need to follow your heart and do what makes you happy. Your career is something that you do for the rest of your life. Most people are going to agree with this statement, sadly many will not follow it. Too often people talk the talk, but taking the steps to changing your life, that is truly noble.
I like the idea of the video, but do not think it is realistic. I know some individuals that decided to "live" and not go to college, guess what everyone of them are not happy and wish they would of gone to college.
There is an old saying that if you love what you do at work, you will find that you never work a day in your life. I that summarizes this. I wish I could find something I truly love to do and got paid for it.
His advice is true and very real, but you can't just go blindly at what you want to do. There is time in life to do a lot of things, and as long as you don't spend half your day watching day time t.v. there is time to write those stories, play guitars, and if they want too, learn accounting on top of that to ensure they wont live in a card board box.
This is very true. Most people are not content with the profession they choose. After 4 years of college, I'm still undecided on which career path I want to take. I do hope the path I take is one I truly love.
I agree completely too. I started off in Nursing and it took me 90 credit hours before I changed my mind. I definitely had a bad guidance counselor in high school. LOl!! Now, I am about the graduate in Business Management this semester and I am all smiles.
This only reinforces the whole do what you love and love what you do. Do not settle for something you are good at just because it is easy or quick money. It may take some working at it but almost anything you do if you work hard enough at it can lead to a healthy life.
I think Ben Stein brings up a great point in the video. There a saying out there that state's( if your work is something that you love to do, then you will never work a day in your life. This is true. Since my senior year in high school, I've always wanted to work in my dad's financial advising company "Advantage Network". I'm 3 months away from graduating and making that dream come true.
I think this excerpt from Ben Stein provides a great way of looking at the bigger picture. If you don't like what you do then you won't be good at it.
I think that it is very hard to have a job that is exactly what you want to do in life. But I agree that getting a degree in a field that you hate is setting yourself up to be unhappy. I picked my major because I believe that I would be good at it.
Good advice. I had to change my major twice because I was not sure what I wanted to do when I grw up. Now that I am about to graduate i am very happy that I chose what I really wanted to do.
I like the video it concerns all of us to follow what they are interested in. Don't do something that someone else wants you to do, do what you want to do! Live your life to the fullest.
I chose my major because I didn't want to take a foreign language. Accounting isn't exciting, but it sets me up for an easy desk job.
Post a Comment