Greetings, fellow teens. Welcome from the wild ride that is growing up, where decision-making concerning our future is always thrown at us.
We are most times confused if we should focus on getting distinctions in our exams, unleashing our vocational skills, or channeling our inner superhero and embracing our leadership qualities. Let’s weigh these options and discover what’s important in succeeding in life!
Education is the foundation of intelligence, where we fight the snooze monster in early morning classes, and read for endless hours. It opens doors to opportunities like getting your dream job and impressing your sweetheart with your polished vocabulary and offers a broader perspective, critical thinking abilities, and a deeper understanding of theoretical concepts. Therefore, it is undeniable that education is a necessary ticket to success.
Vocational skills can be understood as converting interests into income. Vocational skills are a bridge to exchanging your interests for income be it a writer, coding expert, Fashion designer, etc. It provides practical know-how and job readiness. Vocational training can lead to certifications, licenses, and immediate employability in various fields such as healthcare, technology, construction, and automotive industries.
Real-life leadership skills are embracing your inner superhero. Imagine yourself as the captain of your ship, guiding through life’s stormy seas with confidence. Leadership skills are like superpowers that make you stand out from the crowd. Being a leader isn’t just about dictating to others or speaking loudly in the group. It’s about empathy, communication, and understanding when to lead and when to listen.
Real-life leadership skills help you to find solutions. Not every solution is available on ChatGPT. These skills are also called soft skills (public speaking, ability to work with different types of people, time management or problem-solving skills). With machines becoming smarter than human beings, the soft skills of today will become the hard skills of tomorrow.
Looking at these three musketeers of success; education, vocational skills, and leadership, it’s time to address the crucial question of what matters the most. Education forms the foundation. It is like the brain in the human body. Vocational skills are like the hands helping you do things. Leadership skills are like the heart in your body. It is what makes you successful, the glue that combines both education and vocational skills and enables you to lead teams, navigate challenges, and drive positive change.
Just as the head, hands, and heart work together harmoniously in the human body, education, vocational skills, and leadership skills complement each other to create a well-rounded and successful individual. Ultimately, a well-rounded combination of education, vocational skills, and real-life leadership skills can empower you to succeed in your chosen career and make meaningful contributions to the society.
I will now bid you farewell on this magnificent journey of self-discovery. Remember, no one can stop you from succeeding if you add real-life leadership skills (the heart) to your equation of success.
Written By
Author : Tasha, 18
GenWE leader from UK