When we are young, we don’t think about what our career paths will be.

In fact, I can recall wondering why I was even forced to go to school on a regular basis. While the gist of the idea of preparing us for life was evident, I often wondered why we had to learn things like algebra. Many times the question was asked of our teachers how algebra would be used in the daily life of the average citizen. Sure, if you end up with a job that utilizes math, it would be helpful.

Now, I see that even though I don’t use algebra as an adult, the critical thinking skills we gained as we those problems was the true lesson.

As a young person, I never thought much about what I would do as a profession when I reached adulthood. Some ideas crossed my mind, but in elementary school the only things that could have counted as planning for the future involved what was for dinner and how much homework I had.

I didn’t give it much thought in high school, and gave it even less thought in the lower grades.

Even after we find one path as adults, that path may change several times.

I often wondered what a test would tell me pertaining to my strengths and weaknesses and how that would relate to the best possible job.

This year South Side Upper Elementary students got that chance. Based on those results, they were able to find out where they could potentially be the most successful, learn about each profession and also how much each field pays.

Not everyone is concerned about making a lot of money, while others don’t mind working a job they hate so long as it pays a substantial sum.

Either way, by providing our youth with the proper information, they can begin to make decisions now that will help them in the future.