If you have children, you undoubtedly want them to succeed in life and use their talents to change the world. Perhaps you have dreams for your kids, such as wanting them to be doctors or lawyers. However, these professions require many years of college and create a hefty bill.
It’s also possible that your children will want to pursue other avenues. When they get older, maybe they’ll want to skip college altogether and go directly into the workforce. Don’t let this decision alarm you, as many excellent career choices don’t require a degree. Here are some possible jobs you might want to educate your children about.
Maintenance Worker
Some kids love to tear things apart to see if they can put them back together or attempt to fix broken items. If your kids enjoy this hobby, a career in maintenance work might be right up their alley.
An average handyman has many skills, ranging from repairing restaurant equipment to fixing leaks. New workers often learn these skills from working under a qualified professional for a while until they’re able to complete tasks alone.
Some types of maintenance work may be covered in technical courses offered to high school students. Make sure you check into programs your children’s school provides. Getting educated in technology such as heating and air conditioning can do wonders for landing a job later in life.
Computer Programmer
If your children have computer capabilities that go above and beyond their peers’ skills, and they love learning about the latest technology, you may want to encourage them to learn about computer programming. People in this field create software and test it to ensure it works properly. Their potential employers may range from government agencies to gaming companies.
Instead of obtaining a college degree, your children should try to learn everything they can about programming languages by taking free classes, researching online, or watching webinars. As your children get older, encourage them to get technological jobs or shadow someone who can teach them more about programming. This experience plus an investment in a technical training course can give them the tools they need to succeed.
Pharmacy Technician
Do your children love to help people but aren’t into the needles and bloodwork that doctors and nurses have to deal with? If so, a career as a pharmacy technician is worth exploring. A person in this profession helps a pharmacist dispense medications. Some of these medicines are used to save lives, while others give people relief from illnesses. All are essential.
Although some technicians attend a university, a degree isn’t required. Most people learn by participating in on-the-job training.
Sales Representative
While a sales job isn’t for everyone, some people have that natural optimistic personality needed when describing a product to potential customers. If your child enjoys conversing with people, is good at small talk, and is convincing, they may excel in the sales department.
Most skills are acquired through job training. However, great salespeople have an innate desire to help others. The most significant part of sales is explaining a product’s perks and illustrating to clients how these advantages can make life easier.
Flight Attendant
If your children yearn to see different places worldwide, they may be interested in becoming flight attendants. Flight attendants get to go all over the planet, getting paid to do what they love. As a bonus, they get to meet people from different cultures, possibly leading to lifelong friendships.
Talk to your kids about the perks of this job. However, make sure they also understand the downsides, such as being away from home for long periods of time. For people who love flying, the pros generally outweigh the cons.
Let your kids know that going to college is a great choice, but it’s not their only option. If they’re interested in hobbies that could potentially turn into job prospects when they grow up, encourage them to learn more about these opportunities. Motivating your kids to think about the future will help them make choices that are right for them.
Craig Middleton
Craig is a New York City-based retired business consultant, who is an expert in education and cultural trends. He has a Masters of Business Administration and a Masters in Education from St. Johns and loves sharing his knowledge on the side through his writing. If you have any questions or comments you can direct them to Craig at craigmiddleton18@gmail.com.
