One more piece of advice would be to define success by what you want, not what your parents expect or want. Careers are about a) making enough money to survive independently (food/shelter). Then b) finding work you enjoy or pays enough so that you don't have to work at something you do not enjoy constantly. Sometimes one of the most realistic things to do in life is to make your dream a huge hobby. I know many people who ''clock in" in order to pay for the things they really love but life is rather dull when you do not have things to do that you enjoy. Some peoples hobbies eventually become their dream jobs.