TWO months after the matriculation exams early in the year, Myanmar’s most recent high school graduates have their results and are looking to the future.

The deadline for university applications is drawing near and the pressure is on for students to decide on a career.

Many factors influence students’ career choices including, family pressure, friends and status.

The Institute of Medicine (IM) is a common choice among high school graduates and their parents.

But many young people are not interested in becoming doctors and they join the medical profession because of pressures from their families and friends.

Thè Wut Yee, a first year medical student, said her parents pushed her to study medicine.

“My sister and I did not want to join the Institute of Medicine but my parents wanted us to and they pushed us hard. After a lot of conflicts we decided to do what they asked,” she said.

Thè Wut Yee also said her friends influenced her decision.

“They also joined IM so I thought it would be nice if we could all study together,” she said.

Thè Wut Yee said if she had been allowed to choose her career, she would have chosen to study business management.

Kay Thi Oo, a final year medical student, said she joined the Institute of Medicine because she thought it would help her self esteem, and earn her the respect of her peers.

“I joined IM because I wanted other people’s respect. My true passion is business,” Kay Thi Oo said.

“I want to be a business woman in the future, but first I would like to have ‘Dr’ in front of my name; Dr Kay Thi Oo,” she said.

But many people regret having studied a certain subject for the wrong reasons and Dr Saw Yan Naing said his time at IM was a waste.

“If I had not spent seven years there, I could have been a successful business man by now,” he said.

But not every student lets the people around them influence their career choices and many young people have followed their hearts and been led to their true callings.

Khatta Nwe has a Bachelor of Arts in English from the University of Foreign Languages (UFL) and she said when it came to choosing her career her decision came from the heart.

“I got enough marks in my exams to join IM, but when I thought deeply about it I knew that what I really wanted to be was a professional software engineer,” she said.

Khatta Nwe joined UFL to improve her language skills and so she could attend IT courses overseas.

“I am very satisfied with my decision and I have never regretted not becoming a doctor,” she said.

Zar Ni Htet Win, who is preparing to apply for the University of Marine Technology (UMT), said he decided on this course despite getting high enough marks for a more prestigious career, and the urging of his parents.

“I just want to be a sailor,” he said.

Myat Mon Khine, who turned down the opportunity to be a doctor, said she has also never looked back.

“The most important thing in life is to enjoy yourself, and do what you love the most. Success will follow you automatically. Be bold in your decision and you will be satisfied,” she said.

Myat Mon Khine’s mother Daw Thida Khine said she supported her daughter and respected her right to choose.

She said she never tried to influence her daughter’s decision.

“We just support her if she needs something,” Daw Thida Khine said.

Then are also people whose dreams and ambitions are in line with their parents’ expectations.

Ei Ei had wanted to be a doctor when she was a little girl and achieved high enough marks to realise her dream. Her father had also been a doctor and he was Ei Ei’s inspiration.

Her parents are proud and happy with their daughter’s achievements.
“I want to be a cardiologist,” Ei Ei said.