Arroyo 1

Sebastian Arroyo

Mr. Newman

English 101: Rhetoric

19 September 2014

Statement of Scope for the Annotated Bibliography

From the time a child is able to talk, their most frequently asked question is what do you
want to be when you grow up? Their answer always along the lines of a superhero, a doctor, fire
fighter, singer, dancer, and whatever they think of themselves being at the moment. That
imagination has to be narrowed down the older that person gets. The questions start to change as
to what do you want to major in? and what colleges are you looking at? Yong adults
everyday are making their toughest decisions in choosing what they want to become and do in
life, as many struggle to grasp that concept at this stage in life.
This essay will explore the reasons why many teens choose the paths that decide their
future, and why some have yet to make up their minds on the matter at hand. With choosing what
it is a person is wanting to do to occupy their time here on earth and contribute to society, it takes
a lot of preparation and self-drive. As well, picking a career that is not only efficient to keeping a
person well off financially, but also something they enjoy doing; is whats key in this whole
process.
This selected bibliography includes sources that address students that are in between the
choice of heading into the work force upon high school graduation or continuing their education
through college, what makes a person choose their career, and how ones self-esteem could
affect them for the better or worst. A New York Times explains whether a person may feel not
good enough to achieve great things in life, only because of their background. Ronald
Brownsteins article has a different outlook as he explains that college only boosts a persons
rate of living a well of lifestyle, no matter the surroundings or people in someones life. An
article by Melissa Ezarik, speaks to teens not sure of their college major just yet, and provides
real life examples of successors who faced the same problem. And much so, an article by Frank
Stephenson and David Lindley, writing how a persons self-esteem and motivation could make
them or break them in one of the biggest turning point in their lives thus far.

Arroyo 1

Annotated Bibliography
Am I Supposed to Be Here? Am I Good Enough? New York Times Magazine 18 May 2014: n.
pag. Print. This article is about whether a person is good enough to make it out of the
bottom class of society in order to make a living for themselves, through college and
gaining an education. It provides a personal story of a girls struggle, and as well with
stats to backup info based on success rate of the colleges in the U.S.
Anonymous. What Should I Be When I Grow Up? N.p.: World Book, 1980. Print. In this book
the author talks about how to find out what career choice is best for you or your child.
The author explains that by going off what you believe interests you the most or have a
passion for, so that you end up pursuing that dream and dont end up with a career years
from now that youre unsatisfied with.
Brownstein, Ronald. Are College Degrees Inherited? National Journal (2014): n. pag. Print.
This article argues that theres a trend in choosing whether to go straight into the work
force or off to college, upon graduating high school. The author favors in the choice of
achieving a higher education, and supports that idea by providing poll and stats.
Ezarik, Melissa M. A Major Decision. Career World 1 Apr. 2007: n. pag. Print. This author
explains what could be done for students that still are not sure of what they want to major
in, in college. She provides a real life example along with strategies and stats to help
guide the reader with some ideas on figuring out their path.
Stephenson, Frank, and David Lindley. The Rise and Fall of Self-Esteem. Muse 9.2 (205): 8.
Print. In this article the authors are explaining how our personal self-esteem effects the
decisions we make and how we act. I feel this would be effective in my paper because it

Arroyo 1

will help explain some peoples lack of drive or will to do better for themselves after
graduating high school.