The cat finally emitted a tiny "Meow" today as we took him to the vet. My daughter carried and comforted him all the way, including during much of his examination. The vet, noticing how gentle she is with the animal, asked if she was interested in a career working with animals.
Of course, she is still only 13 (although some people mistake her for older, because of her height, perhaps), so career talk is a little premature, but she answered the vet (a young woman) quite confidently.
"My first choice is art, but if that does not work out, maybe work with animals."
The vet smiled and told her it was a good and fun type of work.
I can't tell you how much pleasure it gives me, as a parent, when another adult, such as this young woman, takes the time to gauge one of my kids' career interests. When they are teenagers, the drumbeat to get to college becomes overwhelming, and close behind that pressure, is what they will major in, and then, what will they become?
This society pressures kids relentlessly.
But the truth is few children can possibly know what they want to do, or would be good at, quite yet.
They need lots of experience, trial and error, to find out.
I found journalism when I was 19, and that was early.
But not as early as 13.
Nevertheless, today's interaction was not pressure but gentle encouragement, from a young woman role model, who clearly is a very good vet.
Thank you!
-30-
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