Hi Sam. I'm twelve years old, and as a career I have always wanted to be an actress, and work on T.V. A few days ago, I told my mum and dad I had started doing a careers lesson, and instantly they started demanding that I get a high ranged, full qualified job involving lots of money, even though they don't really have amazing jobs themselves. Anyway, I then made the point that I wanted to go into drama, and they both laughed pretty much, saying it was 'stupid' and 'everyone wants to do that, its just a dram, not reality' but my way of thinking is 'someone in our generation has got to do it, why can't it be me?' So I don't know what to do. I really want to make acting my career, but I don't want to let down my patents. I know I'm only young, but I need to have some plan ahead of me. Please help before I do something stupid!
Sam
Hi there,
Choosing what career you want is a tough choice. Its something thats individual to you but it can also feel like theres a lot of pressure to meet other peoples expectations. Its also absolutely fine to have no idea what you want to do lots of people dont!
When you can see what you want in the future it can feel like you have to make the decision right now about what youre going to do. Talking to people like your parents can be a brilliant way to get advice, but unfortunately it can also sometimes leave you feeling disheartened.
Theres no right or wrong choice for your career. While its important to make sure you take time to think through other peoples advice and experience, in the end the decision of what you do in the future is yours.
Whatever the career choice, building up your knowledge and getting some experience in what it might actually be like is a really important part of deciding if its right for you. Plotr is a website with loads of information on different careers, including becoming an actor. The National Careers Service can also be useful.
Sometimes it can feel like your parents dont understand, or that it might turn into an argument if you try to express what you want. This can make it difficult to want to have the conversation but it can also stop you from thinking of ways to get their support.
Practising how to explain your reasons for wanting to get into drama clearly can help you to feel more confident about having the conversation. As well as helping with your parents, it can help you to understand more about what makes you want to become an actor as well.
When youre trying to think about what career is best for you, especially at a younger age, its important to remember that often people dont have just one career. Even within drama, theres lots of different careers that people can get into and often people will move between different types of jobs as they get older. Planning how to get into acting doesnt mean that you cant also work on other subjects.
Our page on making decisions has loads of good advice about deciding whats right for you. It might also help to talk things through with a ChildLine counsellor, who can talk to you about things with your parents and help you to think about what you want next.
Take care, Sam
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