SOLVED. SciFi/Fantasy short story 1980s - job assignment test results may not be what they seem. [s]

[Debra]

I read this short story in the 1980's as part of a compilation of best Sci Fi/Fantasy short stories. Unfortunately because I read so many of these books in the time period, I cannot remember what the cover, editor, author, etc. was for this particular book.

The story starts with a young boy, somewhere around the age of 6? 8?. He goes for testing to see what coursework he should follow. This test happens a few times through your young life. They put a cap with wires on your head and then the technician looks at the readout. The technician looks at this boy's readout, looks startled and dismisses him without telling him anything, His parents try to play it off as if everything is ok, but he can tell they are worried.

He goes back in his teens, they tell him not to worry, sometimes they get an aberrant result like that and give him the test again. This time it is supposed to be completely accurate in telling you what job you are meant to do. There is no choice. Whatever your brain scan says your best abilities are is what you are assigned to do. The same thing happens. If I remember correctly, this time the technician shows anger at him.

When he is a young adult, all his friends go to instruction and eventually into their "perfect" fit jobs. He is sent to a dormitory type place. He thinks everyone is a slacker (I don't remember the term he used, maybe Hippie type of euphemism). They seem to sit around and talk all day and sometimes tinker with things. The young man feels like a misfit and wanders around during his days. I think his roommate is named Mark.

******SPOILER ENDING********

It turns out that the people in this complex are the creators of every new idea, technology, practice for every job. They were not allowed to tell the young man, he had to figure it out on his own. The general population can't know all the specifics because they will feel down about themselves. This group has the ability to be creative and see beyond what they are told. I think his roommate tells him, if everyone just does what they are trained to do, how are new things created/done? That's what their job is.

Sorry I can't remember anything specific about the book itself. :(

[Ayshe]

Profession maybe?

[Debra]

My library has a collection of his short stories. I'll check and let you know. Thank you for the suggestion. :)

[Andy]

Ayshe wrote: "Profession maybe?"

Definitely Profession. A popular story to identify here:

https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

[Debra]

You are both right, it is Profession! Thank you so much! I can't wait to re-read it. Administrators, this can be marked as solved. :)