THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, September 16, 1994 TAG: 9409160054
SECTION: DAILY BREAK PAGE: E14 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: TEENSPEAK
SOURCE: BY PHILIP WALZER, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 97 lines
THE STUDENTS AT Cape Henry Collegiate School are worried. Worried about picking the right college, choosing the right major. Worried about making enough money to live comfortably while liking what they do for a living.
Seven teenagers at the Virginia Beach prep school wanted to talk about their futures for this week's Teenspeak, but their discussion was dominated not by big dreams, but by deep fears.
Perhaps most troubling for many was that lofty goal of finding a job that they liked and that would pay well.
Evan Bourquard, a 16-year-old junior from Virginia Beach, summed it up: ``I want to find a good balance - something that interests me and will keep me alive. I have yet to find something to guarantee that.''
Brian Hertzler, a 17-year-old senior from Virginia Beach, says his father chose a job with a steady income. But deep inside, Brian suspects, ``If he had his choice, he would enjoy being a forest ranger. He loves the environment.'' Brian wants to do what his father didn't: ``I want to be the first one in the family to not only be happy in my field, but also to be able to support my kids.''
Collin Decker, a 19-year-old senior from Virginia Beach, thinks he has a plan to solve the problem: He wants to go into theater. But he'll also study communications as a fallback. And if he can't be an actor, maybe he'll be a high school drama coach. Still, he worries.
``The thing that scares me the most is not getting a good job,'' he said. ``I want to live comfortably. You don't want to work your whole life and not have anything to show for it.''
Of course, there are more immediate hurdles. Like deciding which college to attend. That's the biggest challenge facing Melissa Chevalier, a 16-year-old junior from Virginia Beach. ``That's where I'm going to start everything,'' she said. ``I don't want to hop from college to college.''
Said Shevika Ward, 16, a prospective doctor who is a junior from Virginia Beach: ``If you pursue a career in the medical field, some colleges might not have the qualifications you're looking for.''
Making the decision tougher for some students is parental pressure.
Both Shevika and Blake Hudson - an 18-year-old senior from Norfolk - have gotten a few hints from their fathers about going to women's schools. ``My dad's big on girls' schools: `You don't have to worry about anyone,' '' Blake said.
Choosing majors and careers is another nail-biting experience the students are already wrestling with. There, too, they get plenty of advice. Brian had been thinking of becoming a teacher. But some of his teachers say he'd be better off financially as a scientist.
That's gotten him thinking. So now, instead of looking at a college with a good education department, he's hunting for one with a strong major in genetics.
Tova Cohn, a 16-year-old junior from Virginia Beach, is debating between radiology and environmental studies. ``I like to deal with people,'' she said, ``but they (radiologists) don't deal with people much. They deal with radiation.''
Tova, too, wants to balance money and happiness. ``I know if I have money, I'll be real happy.''
It's all overwhelming to think about. ``I don't feel I'm ready to make that decision right yet,'' she said. ``I feel so young.''
Collin interjected: ``Well, you are. We all are.'' ILLUSTRATION: For me, I don't know what college I want to go to. It's a big
decision. That's where I'm going to start everything. I don't want
to hop from college to college. Melissa Chevalier, 16, junior
Making the right decision (about college). Whatever decision you
make will affect your future. Shevika Ward, 16, junior
I want to find a good balance - something that interests me and
will keep me alive. I have yet to find something to guarantee that.
Evan Bourquard, 16, junior
I get a lot of pressure from my teachers. One wants me to pursue
the scientific field rather than education. `That's not where the
money is.' Brian Hertzler, 17, senior
I have to make that decision on my own. It's my decision because
I have to live with what happens. But I don't feel I'm ready to make
that decision right yet. Tova Cohn, 16, junior
YOUR TURN
What's the biggest challenge you face in deciding your future?
To speak out, call INFOLINE at 640-5555 and enter category 7553.
Selected comments will appear in next Friday's Daily Break.
You must have a Touch Tone phone. Calls are toll-free except west
of Suffolk, on the Eastern Shore, the Peninsula and in North
Carolina. Comments will be taken through noon Monday.
Do you have a topic you think would make a good Teenspeak? We
will now field suggestions on INFOLINE. Call 640-5555 and enter
category 7553.
by CNB