Official YKS preferences began today. Üsküdar Üniversitesi Founding Rector Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan evaluated the issue of making the right choice and career selection, offering guiding advice to young university candidates during the career selection process.
Tarhan said, “There are two critical decisions in human life: one is career choice, the other is spouse choice. In both decisions, we say open your eyes wide before choosing, and half-open them after choosing.”
Regarding how young people should make decisions, Prof. Dr. Tarhan also said, “Career choice should not only be made to earn money and achieve good status, but also to enable a person to utilize their capacity and talents in the best possible way. Instead of choosing a profession based on populist approaches or the expectations of others, it is important for individuals to consider their own interests and abilities.”
Üsküdar Üniversitesi Founding Rector, Chairman of the Executive Board Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan addressed the issue of making the right choice and career selection with the start of the 2024 YKS official preference process.
Young people have entered a period of making one of the most important decisions in their lives
Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan stated that young people are currently in a period of making one of the most important decisions in their lives, which is career choice, adding that this decision will determine their future, and therefore, it is quite natural for them to be excited.
“There are two critical decisions in human life: one is career choice, the other is spouse choice. In both decisions, we say open your eyes wide before choosing, and half-open them after choosing. Because constantly questioning after a decision is made disturbs peace of mind. That's why they need to think carefully now,” said Prof. Dr. Tarhan, explaining that during the preference period, guides and consultants provide directions to ensure the right choices are made according to scores and aspirations.
3 main criteria in career choice!
Prof. Dr. Tarhan, also mentioning the existence of preference robots, said, “These help automatically. However, individuals must first know what they want. According to research, young people give importance to three main criteria in career choice: ‘it should have a good income, bring happiness, and be comfortable.’ A study conducted in Malatya in 2018, involving nearly a thousand students, showed these criteria to be prominent. These results provide us with thought-provoking information. Career choice should not only be made to earn money and live comfortably. It should also enable the individual to make the best use of their capacity and achieve self-realization. Unfortunately, a short-term mindset and the pursuit of comfort have become widespread globally. The rise of the entertainment industry to its peak might be a consequence of this. There are also young people with clear goals, ideals, and a very good understanding of what they want, but these are in the minority.”
Young people with strong family ties are fortunate…
Prof. Dr. Tarhan, stating that youth is a period where emotions rather than reason dominate, said, “Adolescence actually lasts until age 22, not just until 18. During this period, emotions and feelings are dominant, so it's normal for young people to seek ease. In such situations, if there is good social and family support, young people can make the right decisions more easily. Families should support their children not only in their desires but also in doing what is right. Young people with strong family ties are more fortunate in this regard. However, some families stifle their children's decision-making skills by telling them which profession is suitable. This is also a wrong approach. Young people should be allowed to discover their own desires and truths. Families should enable their children to make their own decisions and guide them.”
The final decision rests with the youth…
Regarding how young people should make decisions, Prof. Dr. Tarhan also said, “Young people should make the final decision themselves with the information they receive from their families, schools, teachers, and preference counselors. It is the young people themselves who will bear the responsibility and burden of this decision. However, parents also have a duty to warn. Parents can help by explaining their children's aptitudes for certain subjects and the reasons for the profession they desire. They should leave the final decision to their children and respect their free will.”
Forcing something does not work
Prof. Dr. Tarhan also stated that even if it's a wrong decision, young people will learn from this experience and be ready to pay the price if necessary, warning, “Forcing something often doesn't work and lowers a child's motivation. Therefore, parents should present all reasons to make young people think. Even if young people initially oppose their parents, they often accept these warnings when they think calmly. The parents' duty to warn is very important here. Forceful and authoritarian approaches can damage relationships. Because there are no other parents, and these relationships are more important than career choice.”
Parents' biggest mistake is making decisions for their children!
Addressing parents' mistakes, Prof. Dr. Tarhan said, “The biggest mistake parents make is deciding for their children. Parents who make choices on their behalf, exhibiting an overly controlling and interfering attitude, suppress their children's free will. This situation can cause children to question their own lives and decisions, and sometimes even protest.”
Prof. Dr. Tarhan also noted that excessive love and discipline can stifle children's ability to make their own decisions, saying, “Therefore, parents need to guide their children by convincing them and getting their opinions. A profession is not just about earning money or gaining good status; it's important for individuals to see and achieve how they can best use their capacity, talents, and potential.”
Career tests assist in career choice…
Pointing to the importance of young people recognizing their own potential in career choice, Prof. Dr. Tarhan provided important information, stating, “We have many career tests used at our university that can help in this regard. For example, tests like the Holland Career Test determine what type of personality a person has, whether they think socially, logically, or artistically. In this way, individuals get to know themselves and choose a profession according to their strengths and weaknesses. In career choice, individuals need to know themselves and identify areas they love and can succeed in. Career choice should not only be made to earn money and gain good status, but also to enable a person to utilize their capacity and talents in the best possible way. Instead of choosing a profession based on populist approaches or the expectations of others, it is important for individuals to consider their own interests and abilities. In career choice, individuals also need to consider their life standard and whether they can enjoy doing the job.”
“Choose professions aligned with your interests, not popular and applauded ones!”
Prof. Dr. Tarhan, stating that one-third of a person's life is spent in their profession, and thus it is very important for the individual to achieve satisfaction and happiness during this process, said, “Instead of popular or applauded professions, individuals should choose professions that align with their own talents and interests. Self-realization and transcendence are important criteria in career choice.”
There are professions where people who love helping others can succeed
Prof. Dr. Tarhan, recounting how an Indian billionaire stated that despite great success, he wasn't happy and found true happiness by helping disabled people, said, “This story emphasizes the importance of helping others and providing social benefit. Especially in social fields, there are professions where people who love helping others can succeed. Professions like medicine, child development, and military service require sacrifice and dedication. These professions are suitable for individuals who want to help others and contribute to society. Selfish people cannot choose this profession. Because they are professions that demand sacrifice. You will sacrifice your night's sleep.”
Personality traits are important in career choice!
Emphasizing the great importance of one's personality traits in career choice, Prof. Dr. Tarhan provided important information, stating, “Are you helpful? Are you a perfectionist? Are you a reformist? Are you a challenging leader? Are you an explorer? Are you someone who questions life and is a researcher? These characteristics of a person are important for the department and university they will choose. For example, if you have a researcher personality structure, you should choose a department and university where you can specialize in research. Universities are ecosystems, and the university's vision—its openness to new experiences and innovative ideas, being project-oriented, and supporting a culture of self-development—is also important.”
The understanding of doing science for science's sake is an old one
Prof. Dr. Tarhan noted that universities teach not only a profession but also culture, stating, “Universities have four important functions. First, to provide vocational training. Second, to encourage research and development (R&D). Third, to inform society and ensure that science is done for society. Fourth, the industrialization of knowledge and its transformation into production. If a university's vision is strong in these four areas, students can be successful both in their professions and in life. Every university has certain strong areas, and it is also important to choose universities that specialize and succeed in these areas. 21st-century skills are goals set for universities by the United Nations. That is, the understanding of doing science for science's sake is an old understanding. Science is done for society. Therefore, the industrialization of knowledge and its transformation into production are important. Informing society is important. Since the university is an ecosystem, entering that ecosystem is important. Our university is not for diplomas. The university is not for professional academic success either. It is important for life success. There needs to be a university environment that can also teach life philosophy, social, and emotional skills. City universities have an advantage in this regard.”