Career paths and the future

I like that talking about starting back to school and explaining what high school classes need to be taken in order to achieve different goals must have sparked something in the girls' brains this morning.  It was the focus of the entire breakfast conversation and a little more conversation afterwards.  They both were speaking with excitement in their voices.  Both of the girls have already picked out a few interests but today it seemed like they knew which path they would like to venture down.

A12 wants to be an ornithologist.  In case you are not familiar with the word, it means the branch of zoology that deals with birds.  I think she will be an awesome ornithologist.  She has been a bird-lover for years.  We have found quite a few online programs to partake in the study of ornithology, and she has also been doing research on her own.

C14 wants to pursue photography.  She has been taking photographs for years.  Her very first camera was a Hello Kitty small Polaroid-type camera.  She is highly embarrassed by this camera now but even then, she took some awesome photos.  You really do need a high quality camera but you also need a good eye and a good perspective to become a great photographer.  She has taken several photography classes over the years and has developed her own styles and techniques.  She has also determined that she is a "Behind the camera-type of person" and does not like to be photographed herself.

I am really glad that they both have goals and are interested in how to obtain those goals.  Sadly, we have had more than a few conversations about marriage and children in their futures.  A12 says she wants to be married (maybe) but she wants to be the head of her household.  Then she said she might just want a few kids and a big farm with lots of animals.  C14 says she does not think at this point she wants to be married or have any children.  At least they have a few more years to think it over, and I always tell them they have to be open to these ideas in the future.  I guess life experiences really do shape your ideas for the future.  I hate to hear them talk like that but I completely understand where they are coming from.  I am very glad they have learned a few things and know what they do not want their future to look like.  I support them either way as I always have.