If Hong Kong’s students are too focused on future income, are the adults to blame?
Tony F. Chan says Hong Kong society gives students the impression that only certain glamorous fields, such as medicine, offer a path to success, instead of encouraging them to follow their passion and be trailblazers
Immediately, many people pointed fingers at the choices of these students. Some criticised them for having “no guts” or making “boring” choices, while others lamented that our youth are too money-minded, as the medical profession promises a steady income.
Pursuing a medicine degree isn’t a wrong decision to make. I have always believed that choosing a major comes down to the free choice of any individual. And given that, it is probably not appropriate for us, as outsiders, to direct our personal criticisms at these students. They worked hard and they had the scores to show for it, and we should not let anything take away from this fact.
But I think it is a good time for our society as a whole to reflect a bit upon ourselves. Have we, as adults, given our youth an impression that nothing but a particular field – in this case, medicine – is the way to success? I recently came across an article on someone who was a 10Astandout back in 2003 – he went into an industry which he thought was the right choice, income-wise and career-wise, only to find out 10 years later that he did not really like his work and chose to reboot his career elsewhere for a much smaller paycheck.
Four former straight-A Hong Kong students reflect on their lives
I believe our society does not do a very good job in showing what other paths, or career choices, are out there in this world, which our youth can pick from and still achieve great success with.
