I recently took part in a school careers convention: 14- and 15-year olds trying to figure out what they want to do, what subjects to study and how they want to shape their lives after education.
The school is blessed with parents in great careers, everything from accounting to urban planning via ghost-writing and gaming.
It’s daunting to know what to say to these marvellous, talented and eager young people. A degree in one subject may be good for one, but may be a disaster for another, equally capable person.
Another parent, who’s a sports commentator, and myself were representing careers in the media. We agreed on the one piece of advice we both think is crucial: Do something you like. Do something that you would want to be doing anyway, and then find a way to make it pay. It’s worked for both of us.