In 2015, 36% of people in their 20’s had gone to college, compared to just 24% of young people back in 1980. The numbers are going up because times are changing, and employers now expect you to have a degree. However, many of these students only went to college because their parents told them it was the best and only option for succeeding in life. Now, many of those people have a crippling amount of debt without the ability to use their degree for a job. Most of the time, parents push you to do things when they are living vicariously through you. In this example, maybe they never went to college, so they forced you to go in their place.

Usually, this is coming from a place of love. Your parents want the best for you, and they may feel that it’s necessary to push you to succeed. Alternatively, they might have a very narrow view of success where only doctors and lawyers are the ones who make much money. Nevertheless, once you become an adult, you need to decide if you will live someone else’s dreams or your own. You will never succeed in a job or career you hate since you will lack the passion that motivates hard work and makes it feel worthwhile.