A teenager reaches a pivotal moment in his education and seeks advice from school counselors and family, uncovering an unknown trait.
This fictional short story highlights a misunderstood counterculture.
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Gifted Student
Bopping his head with earbuds streaming music to his earbuds, Marcus is heading down school hallways, on his way to his career counselor. He excels in math, science, and music throughout high school, but seems to lack focus in her assessment.
“The 11th grade is a crucial year to decide what you’re going to achieve in life. The career path you choose determines which scholarships you apply for. So, what will be your major?” she inquires.
“I’m thinking about going to culinary school. It would be great to do all that fancy plating, or maybe I’ll become a writer.”
“Those are both fantastic options. Your high school classes generally align with your college major. So are you thinking that math and science will help you in the kitchen?” she asks, optimistically.
“They could—. They also help with music.”
“Okay, so are you looking to major in culinary arts and minor in music?” asking, as she attempts to narrow the focus.
“Perhaps, someday. I really like computers. But, right now it seems I can start a band, and maybe learn a new instrument. It would be great to play piano and guitar. Then I can compose music.”
“Marcus, I can’t tell if you’re mocking me by listing so many options. This is a serious decision. Do you want to think about it for another week? You only have one more year of high school. So we should pick your senior classes wisely.”
“Yes, Mrs. Andrews.”
Palpable stress pulses through Marcus’s veins like hot molten lead pouring into a mold. Since he was 5 years old, people have asked what he wants to be when he grows up. His answer has always been, “many things.” He wants his endeavors to challenge his mind and creativity.
When he went to get his driver’s license, he panned the room of career desk workers and thought, “Not for me.” He can’t imagine working in a supermarket for 10 years with aspirations of promotion to cashier at check stand 5. Though he’s good at math, becoming an accountant would not challenge his creativity.
Fatherly Advice
His father, Albert, loves cars. He works in an auto repair shop and does automobile restoration as a hobby. To Marcus, he seems like the least qualified to offer advice in today’s modern world. But he has nowhere else to turn.
“Dad, my counselor said that I need to pick a career.”
“Well son, what did you say?”
“I couldn’t decide. She wants me to think about it.”
“You’re a smart kid. There are many options available to you.”
“That’s the problem. Why do I have to pick just one?”
“You don’t. I love restoring cars and going to car shows. But it’s an expensive hobby. My day job earns a living while honing my skills for my passion for restoration.”
“But I don’t want to be a mechanic.”
“You don’t have to be. The point is that you can pick a job that allows time to pursue your other passions.”
“Oh. So I can become an accountant and write software programs on the side?”
“Certainly. Or you can choose a part-time day job—one that is menial, allowing you to walk away without carrying the stress home with you.”
“That could be why so many people work high-turnover blue-collar jobs.”
“It could be. Many are going to school while working too. Some, though, pause to ‘find themselves’ before resuming school. Others choose a general major like Business Administration, which applies to multiple sectors. You can also choose a temporary major.”
“Those are some good options. But honestly, they complicate my decision even more.”
“I’ve noticed that you tend to pour yourself into one endeavor after the next. You excel in each, but too much focus on one can cause you to neglect others that may also be important.”
“Are you saying I should focus on one thing at a time or become better at multitasking?”
“An automobile has many parts. Together, they contribute to a comfortable ride. Think of your education and various jobs as parts of your career. Math helps programming that helps composing music with video production, and so on.”
“That makes sense. So my education doesn’t need to lock me into a specific career. My major and minor can teach skills I use for other creative endeavors.”
“That’s it.”
“Wow, this discussion has been more helpful than ones with my school counselor. Let me give it some more thought.”
Jolt to Reality
Robert is an older brother living away from home who has always manifested a carefree attitude. His indecisive nature led to a career of non-medicinal chemical dependency. Robert has a couple of roommates who alternate low-paying jobs to pay the rent on a one-bedroom apartment.
After the talk with his father, Marcus hears the phone ring in the other room. His father mumbles inaudibly before releasing a loud guttural shout. When Marcus hurries to him, the call ends and the phone slips through his fingers to the floor.
“Dad, what’s wrong!”
“My son… your brother… took his life. His roommate says that he has already been cremated.”
Years of memories flash by before Marcus embraces his father without saying a word. The grief punctuates his need to make wise choices for the future.
In a somber mood, Marcus begins researching career options on the web. This leads to information on multipotentialites, or multipods. He thinks, “Could this be me?” The more he reads, the more convinced he becomes. Some of the options his father suggested resonate.
Decision Time
When Marcus steps into his counselor’s office, he has a plan. She is hoping for a clarion response to the question posed a week earlier.
“Marcus, what will be your college major?”
“So that I don’t limit my multipotentiality, I will major in business, minor in communication, and take elective classes in music.”
He thus structures his education for entrepreneurship. After graduation, he works in diverse positions for 6-month intervals. This includes his father’s auto shop. After burying himself in programming code, he starts a software company.
In response to an ad for an entry-level position, Robert shows up. He apologizes for faking his death in a rouse that just required a phone call. After cleaning up his life, Robert wants to make amends. In the sibling interview, the two discover they may both be multipods.
The End
With good intentions, people urge students reaching this moment in their lives to choose a specialty. What about people who are wired to explore multiple avenues? Counselors and families can reduce stress by catering recommendations to individual potential and personal gifts.
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