With the announcement of the Higher Education Institutions Exam (YKS) results, which will determine the future of millions of candidates, the official preference period began on July 1st. Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan, who participated in the 'Life is a Choice' program, which has become a classic to guide candidates and their families during this critical process, drew a roadmap for young people not only for career choice but for their entire lives.
Prof. Dr. Tarhan emphasized, 'Feel that you are making one of the two most important decisions of your life. Make your choices as if you are writing a letter to the future, as if you are watching your ten-year-later self in a video,' highlighting meaning and principle-oriented career planning instead of short-term goals imposed by popular culture.
Prof. Dr. Tarhan stated, 'See the campus, the lecturers, and the social environment firsthand. Especially in this age of loneliness, a city university that doesn't disconnect you from social life is a great opportunity.'
Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan said, 'A profession that looks coldly upon digitalization will end up in the dustbin of history… In the future, the most needed professionals will be psychologists, physicians, engineers, and communicators who effectively utilize artificial intelligence.'
As the official preference marathon, one of the most challenging junctures for university candidates, begins, Üsküdar Üniversitesi Founding Rector and Psychiatrist Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan, who is also the namesake of the program, participated in the 'Life is a Choice' program, moderated by Şaban Özdemir. This program, which has become a classic for 12 years to guide candidates and their families, once again offered vitally important recommendations for candidates.
The Neuroscientific Basis of Our Choices
Prof. Dr. Tarhan pointed out that neuroscientific facts lie at the core of the idea that life truly consists of choices, stating, 'When we say 'Life is a choice,' the origin of this statement for humans is truly neuroscience. In neuroscience, our brain has a 'captain's bridge,' its frontal region. External information comes to this frontal region, there is information produced internally by our brain, and also chemical information produced by our body. Within these, the human brain makes choices. It makes choices like 'suitable-not suitable, valid-not valid, safe-not safe, beneficial-not beneficial,' and there is a mental judge who decides: 'Do-don't do.' Every moment, every action, like picking something up and placing it here, proceeds as a choice. There are two important choices in human life, or rather, two important decisions: one is career choice, the other is partner choice. Young people should currently feel that they are making one of the two most important big decisions of their lives in terms of career choice.'” said.
Make Your Choices as if Writing a Letter to the Future!
Warning against the trap of popular choices that young people often fall into, Prof. Dr. Tarhan emphasized the importance of acting with a long-term vision instead of immediate gains.
Prof. Dr. Tarhan stated that knowing oneself and choosing an area one loves is the healthiest path to success, saying, 'Young people tend towards popular choices. They choose one because 'this one earns the most,' or 'that one is popular.' Instead of leaning towards popular choices, young people should think more principled and ask themselves, 'Will this choice I'm making be right for me ten or twenty years from now?' Feel that you are making one of the two most important decisions of your life. Make your choices as if writing a letter to the future, as if watching your ten-year-later self in a video. Here, it is very important for them to know themselves, their goals, their strengths and weaknesses, and their life philosophies. Another important piece of advice is for a person to choose an area where they will experience a 'flow state,' where they get so absorbed that they don't realize how time passes. When they choose an area they love and feel excited about, the work they do, studying, or reading doesn't feel like work or tiring. It feels like a hobby.'” he commented.
Profession is not an unchangeable identity!
Prof. Dr. Tarhan stated that the meaning attributed to a profession often creates unnecessary pressure on young people and families, reminding that a profession is not an unchangeable identity but a tool on the path to life goals. Prof. Dr. Tarhan continued:
“Especially parents tend to view a profession not like a dress or clothing, but like skin. Skin doesn't change; it's a part of that person. A profession isn't like that. A profession is not like skin, it's like clothing. It can be changed, adjusted, and adapted to new situations if necessary. A profession is our vehicle on the way to a goal we have; it is not the goal itself. They should not see their profession as the goal. For a person with a goal, it might be profession A today, and profession B tomorrow on their way to that goal. You add something new to that profession, you develop it. Visionary thinking is very important for making healthy decisions. People who make choices on their life journey by asking 'which is the right choice for me?' solve problems more easily and overcome obstacles more easily. In fact, every obstacle they encounter becomes a developmental trauma, an opportunity for growth for them.'”
Critical Question Before Preference: 'Where can I best learn my ideal profession?'
Prof. Dr. Tarhan emphasized that a university should not just be an institution that provides a profession; it should be an 'ecosystem' that produces research, informs society, and equips students with social and emotional skills.
Prof. Dr. Tarhan stated that Üsküdar Üniversitesi was founded with this vision and has taken pioneering steps in this field, saying, 'A university has four functions: providing vocational training, conducting R&D, informing society, and commercializing knowledge. In the 21st century, the learning model has changed. Now, learning happens not by transmitting information, but by experiencing and through projects. The half-life of knowledge has decreased from 30 years to 3 years. Students should know that a university with classic, repetitive, constantly slide-reading lecturers will not contribute much to their lives. We introduced the 'Positive Psychology and Communication Skills' course in 2013 to develop not only academic but also social and emotional skills in our students.'” he commented.
Those who grasp the happiness of meaning will not be unhappy…
Prof. Dr. Tarhan stated that the modern world pushes young people to pursue 'pleasure,' which leads to dangerous consequences, and said that as a university, they aim to raise a generation that pursues 'meaning.' Prof. Dr. Tarhan continued:
“We tell our young people, 'Be young people who pursue meaning.' Someone who grasps the happiness of meaning will not be unhappy; even if an event occurs, they will bounce back like a sponge, return to their original state like rubber. They become resilient. They need to learn these things. If we cannot teach this to young people at university during this time, we are missing out on many things. They should take this course. They should grow up in such an environment. Because our children are not 'our' children. They are 'children of their time.' Therefore, mothers and fathers should send their children to a university with a good ecosystem; one that is pluralistic, libertarian, participatory, and fosters critical thinking. The motto of our university is built upon these four foundations. We teach these values not only theoretically but also through modules like stress management, forgiveness, and gratitude, and we receive feedback from our students such as 'my relationship with my father has improved.' Having fun in a university environment is a nice thing. Networking is very important. Friends are very important. Friends made during university life are never forgotten until the end of life. This is an opportunity to form beautiful friendships. They should make their choices keeping this in mind.'”
Pay Attention to This Principle in Life's Most Important Decision!
Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan stated that examining the academic staff is of vital importance in university preference, emphasizing the Anatolian wisdom principle of 'being trustworthy and competent.' Prof. Dr. Tarhan said, 'Just as a person seeks someone trustworthy and competent when repairing their watch or visiting a doctor, they should adhere to this principle when making one of the most important decisions of their life,' adding that the choice of university and lecturer directly shapes a student's future.
Prof. Dr. Tarhan stated that the meticulous examination of the academic staff by students and families when choosing universities is not a coincidence but a conscious 'search for trust,' adding, 'Being trustworthy is also our strategic goal. The formula for this lies in being open, transparent, honest, and accountable.'” he said.
University Lecturers are Life's Navigation…
Prof. Dr. Tarhan stated that the competence of the academic staff alone is not sufficient, and that true learning begins with the student's demand, saying, 'In universities, 90% of learning occurs through student demand. This is why students were formerly called 'talebe' (demander). Universities hold a treasure trove of knowledge, and the keys to that treasure are with the lecturers. Lecturers don't give the treasure itself, but the keys that show how to access that treasure and, in a way, the navigation for life,' thus underscoring the student's active role.
Prof. Dr. Tarhan emphasized that the master-apprentice relationship is indispensable, especially in the field of health, stating, 'Medicine is not just a science, but also an art. And art is learned through a master-apprentice relationship. This principle applies to every field, from health sciences to engineering, from communication to social sciences.'” he remarked.
Today, a healthcare professional who knows software is preparing for the future by combining their profession with digital conveniences…
Prof. Dr. Tarhan stated that Üsküdar Üniversitesi embarked on its journey as a 'thematic' university, combining fields such as health, engineering, and behavioral sciences under the principle of 'sciences are one.' He added that by naming classrooms after figures like Socrates, Aristotle, and Avicenna, they aim to offer students a vision that both keeps pace with the times and maintains a connection with the past.
Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan noted that university candidates must ask the question 'What will my chosen profession be like in 10 years?' when making their choices, drawing attention to the importance of acting according to global and local realities.
Prof. Dr. Tarhan emphasized that classic professions like medicine and teaching will always exist, but their content will be reshaped by the digital revolution, stating, 'Before artificial intelligence entered our lives, we discussed in our senate whether to introduce a software course for Medical Faculty students. As a result of the discussion, we said that it's very difficult to complete both software engineering and medicine by double majoring in software. At the very least, they could minor instead of double majoring. Or we could offer it as an elective course. We said they could take courses from our software engineering department. Today, a healthcare professional who knows software is preparing for the future by combining their profession with digital conveniences.'” he said.
Prof. Dr. Tarhan said that candidates choosing universities that offer such interdisciplinary opportunities would better equip them for the competitive world of the future.
A profession that looks coldly upon digitalization will end up in the dustbin of history…
Addressing the topic of artificial intelligence shaping future professions, Prof. Dr. Tarhan stated that it is not a threat but a great opportunity when used correctly, emphasizing that the fundamental condition is 'knowing oneself.'
Prof. Dr. Tarhan stated, 'A digital revolution is underway. Just as electricity caused a transformation in the 1800s, artificial intelligence is bringing about this transformation. It is currently not even theoretically possible for it to replace humans. But a person who knows themselves will not become a plaything of artificial intelligence. A person who doesn't know themselves, however, can easily become a plaything of artificial intelligence; AI can even drive them to suicide. Because fabrications like digital twins and deepfakes are being created. A profession that looks coldly upon digitalization will end up in the dustbin of history. Our young people should master this, but they shouldn't forget their ego ideals, where they want to be in ten or twenty years. In the future, the most needed professionals will be psychologists, physicians, engineers, and communicators who effectively utilize artificial intelligence. If you use artificial intelligence well, don't be afraid; it won't destroy your profession, it will enable its evolution. Artificial intelligence will currently be a tool for us that simplifies and speeds up our lives. Our young people should master this. Let's not see artificial intelligence as a threat. Let's see it as an opportunity.'”
In the future, the most needed professionals will be psychologists, physicians, engineers, and communicators who effectively utilize artificial intelligence...
Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan gave a clear answer to the question, 'Can artificial intelligence replace a therapist?', stating, 'Never, because it cannot read a person's internal dynamics and masks. However, it speeds up and simplifies the expert's work. Therefore, I can tell you that the most needed profession in the future will be psychology, with psychologists who effectively use artificial intelligence. If you are psychologists who use AI well, don't be afraid. If you are physicians who use AI well, don't be afraid. If you are healthcare professionals, clinicians, engineers, communicators, social workers, child development specialists, geneticists who use AI well, don't be afraid. It will evolve your profession, make it undergo evolution, but it will not destroy your profession.'” he said.
Can reduce a 10-session treatment to 5 sessions
Prof. Dr. Tarhan stated that artificial intelligence can understand stress levels by digitizing physical symptoms (skin temperature, heart rate) and even predict emotions with face-reading programs, saying, 'Some people play a strong role, walking around with a mask. Artificial intelligence cannot detect this mask. It reads micro-expressions but cannot read a person's internal dynamics or subconscious. A mathematical model capable of measuring human internal dynamics has not yet been found, and it is theoretically impossible to find one. This is why artificial intelligence cannot replace an expert, but it can reduce a 10-session treatment to 5 sessions. For this reason, psychologists should not distance themselves from digitalization; they should synthesize these technologies with their profession.'” he commented.
A university that doesn't disconnect you from social life is a great opportunity
Prof. Dr. Tarhan listed his advice to university candidates, who are about to make one of the most important decisions of their lives, as follows:
“Make decisions by thinking medium and long-term, not based on popular choices and temporary high-paying situations. Be sure to take the 10-minute Holland Test (Career Test) on the Üsküdar Üniversitesi website to see which area you are inclined towards. Research online, but if possible, go physically in person. See the campus, the lecturers, and the social environment firsthand. Especially in this age of loneliness, a city university that doesn't disconnect you from social life is a great opportunity. Never fall into despair and pessimism. Don't worry about what the future holds. Remember, the most difficult conditions, the darkest times, are the harbingers of the most beautiful and brightest days. Hope is the most important medicine,' he concluded.