I happened to talk with a family friend’s daughter who just graduated from college with an English and/or Communications degree. She was bright and excited to find a job doing something she loved — writing — and something she undoubtedly was good at.

So different a start from many of us. No?

I always loved to write — my first “longer” story was about me and Dennis Payton of the Dave Clark Five. I also get a feeling there was one with Paul McCartney of the Beatles, too, although I struggle to remember.

But I digress.

As I’ve probably said before, I was a secretary all my life in one form or another, which led to being a proofreader and a strange final turn to a data analyst specialist (data input). It was only at my final job that I asserted my writing and proofreading skills and took over the company blog.

I often wonder if I would have gone to college for English or Communications what sort of job I would have wound up with.

My problem was I didn’t know what I wanted to do at 17 years old.

Some went to college, most went into the workforce. I started off as a linofilm typist for ads for the telephone book. So strange to look back on that obscure craft these days. I mean, who even knows what a linofilm machine was these days?

Again I digress. So easy to do on a Monday morning.

I started off talking about this bright young college graduate who (hopefully) will find a rewarding career in the field she loves.

We talked a little about blogging and I gave her my blog addy. She wants to create her own website and start writing for herself and for corporate America. I think she’s talented enough to do just that, too.

The career choices today’s kids have are a lot different than they were in the 1970s. 1980s. And so on. Today kids have to be tech savvy and watch out for trends and digital development and social prejudices and the dark side of the internet. They have to keep an eye out for trollers and spyware and technology systems that become outdated as quickly as they are developed.

I’m not even certain the importance of blogging these days. Social media has moved upwards or backwards into worlds I’ll never grok. It is obvious I could never get a job writing for a living now. Not just my age but my limited knowledge and resources and even energy would come into play.

Thank goodness younger people don’t lack in all of the above.

I’m not saying you need a college degree these days to get ahead. There are tech schools and specialty schools and special classes to hone your skills no matter what you’re interested in. There are mentors to teach you the ropes and entry levels that promote from within.

What today’s kids need to hold onto, though, is their passion. Find a way to hone it, advance it, work with it and develop it.

Both my cousin’s high school graduate and her friend’s daughter are starting out in careers and worlds I’ll never know. They are the future. And I’m so proud of both of them.

Be proud of today’s generation, too. No matter what they choose to do.