Back to the Future

This weekend, I was invited back to my high school to speak on career day. I had been inside my high school just twice since I graduated in 1989. The kids are so much brighter, and at the same time, the same as we were. So many did not have a career goal or choice, but knew they wanted to make money. Sounds too familiar, given my past.

Its alot like traveling back in time, and speaking to yourself. I wish we had a career day when I went to school. I wish I had some sort of guidance, but I didn't even have a guidance counselor when I was in High School. I had never even heard the words "guidance counselor."

It was a dream come true. I spoke with 3 other Alums, 2 graduated in the 80's before me, and one graduated in 1995. They expressed the same feelings about life that I had. One told me that for years he felt inferior to Stuyvestant kids. I went to college with quite a few Stuyvestant kids, and they are more or less the same as everyone else. I think it comes from the fact that Tech is always ranked behind some schools. Back then it was 3rd best. Now we are 39th the nation, and in the top 5 of New York City public schools. You know....it really doesn't matter.

The Tech students I met were very academically bright, but are not aware of career choices in the business world. Even to this day, science, mathematics, and engineering is all they are ever told about. If only they could have one class, just one 3 hour class on business careers....it would make a difference.

Alot of kids were already accepted to colleges. Some are still waiting to hear back. I tried to explain....there is no one college that will make or break you life's success. There is no one major, and rarely, is there ever a single decision that affects the rest of your life (usually who you marry or don't.) You grow physically until you are about 18, and you grow emotionally, mentally, and spiritually for the rest of your life. So many students are worried about pressures from their families about majors, colleges, and careers. No one is worried about being a great human being. Non one is concerned about finding out who they are, and what they can do.

There is something very special about going to Tech. The school is hallowed grounds, like Yankee Stadium or Lambeau Field. There are 1200 students in the graduating class this year (I was told.) There are probably going to be 12 that change the world. There will be 120 that do better than survive. There rest will wander the streets of life looking for adventure or whatever comes their way.

It was a great experience, thankyou Brooklyn Tech.....once again.