A Royal Career

Not Everyone Is Born Into a Career

When Prince George was born in 2013, many across the Commonwealth celebrated the arrival of a future king—possibly even the King of Australia someday. While royal children may seem destined for ceremonial roles from birth, the rest of us have a very different (and more flexible) career path ahead.

Which begs the question: how much influence should parents have on their children’s career choices? While guidance and support are important, the ultimate decision belongs to the person who will live that career every day.

The Subtle—and Not So Subtle—Influence of Parents

Parental input can be empowering, but it can also cross the line into career steering. At university and career expos, it’s not uncommon to see parents directing their child toward a “prestigious” degree—law, medicine, commerce—while quietly vetoing creative, vocational, or humanities courses.

We’ve heard stories of Year 12 students logging into the UAC website, only to find their preferences altered. In some cases, students discover their chosen arts or education degrees swapped for law or engineering—without their consent.

These decisions might be well-intentioned, but they can come at the cost of passion, purpose and even academic performance.

Choosing a Career You Actually Want

Your career journey is yours to navigate. When you study something you’re genuinely interested in, you’re more likely to stay engaged, succeed academically, and follow through with long-term goals. Passion matters—especially when the going gets tough.

Whether you’re drawn to:

• Law for its impact and analytical challenges
• Teaching for its ability to shape lives
• Design for its creativity and innovation

—the right path is the one that aligns with your values, interests, and vision for the future.

If you’re still exploring, our course directory can help you compare study options across industries and qualification levels. Whether it’s a certificate, diploma or degree, you’ll find a range of accredited online courses to match your ambition.

When Support Becomes Pressure

It’s normal to value your parents’ perspective. After all, they often want what’s best for you. But if their advice turns into pressure—or undermines your confidence—it’s important to have open, honest conversations about your goals and motivations.

Need backup? Share trusted resources from sites like myfuture.edu.au, which offer career planning tools and labour market insights tailored to Australian students. These can help everyone feel more confident in your chosen direction.

Your Life, Your Choice

You may not be born into a royal role—but you do have the power to shape your own career destiny. As William Ernest Henley wrote in *Invictus*:

“I am the master of my fate,
I am the captain of my soul.”

So wherever your interests lie—whether it’s engineering, arts, community work or something totally unexpected—trust your instincts. Choose the course that’s right for you.

Explore online courses to start your career journey today.