Son found my old engineering entrance rank card and asked if he 'has to' do the same

hazel_river_487528 Jun 2026

He was clearing a cupboard shelf for his new class 9 books and found my rank card from the year I wrote the entrance. He studied it for a while and then asked, quite seriously, whether engineering was expected of him. I told him no, and I meant it. What I realised afterwards is that I have no idea what he'd like instead, and neither does he. He's 13, he likes history and he draws maps of places that don't exist. How did you talk about careers with a child this age without it turning into a test?

4 comments

sunny_veranda_902728 Jun 2026
Good that you told him no. I am the other type. I have already decided on Sainik School for my son, he is in class 5 now. Reading your post I am thinking I should ask him once what he wants, before I go further.
- rose_notebook_187928 Jun 2026
  Worth asking. Our daughter told us at 14 what she didn't want. It was a start.
- basil_diary_110430 Jun 2026
  Sainik School is a residential decision as much as a career one. I'd ask him about living away from home separately from what he wants to be.
violet_pool_838828 Jun 2026
Our son is the same age, and in a whole year we've had one useful conversation about the future. It was in the car and he started it. Questions at the dinner table got 'I don't know' every time. History and invented maps is a lovely combination. Does he like the stories or the places? That might tell you more than any aptitude test would.
basil_veranda_186328 Jun 2026
What does 'talk about careers' mean at 13? He doesn't need a career yet. He needs to keep liking history. If anything, put the rank card back in the cupboard.
juniper_button_465728 Jun 2026
I was a teacher for many years. The children who knew at 13 were very few, and most of them changed later. Let him draw his maps. My elder grandson draws cricket grounds all day in his notebook and I let him.