What careers would you steer young people into?

[sns2]

This likely comes as no surprise, but times are changing so darn fast, that educators openly admit that we do not know what jobs we are preparing our kids in kindergarten for.

With that in mind, I think it would be interesting to hear what fields you folks are encouraging your kids, or young people in your circle, to consider as viable, well paying, and stable careers.

I have a daughter entering grade 12 who I am urging to consider a career in the medical field, likely nursing, as with the aging population, job prospects will likely continue to be good, it pays fairly well, and offers the opportunity for changing directions within the field.

What are you guys encouraging your young people to consider?

[Talking moose]

Honestly, councilling, drug rehab, anything addictions related. It's gonna get worse before it gets better.(these things won't get better and will always be around.) I think that's a safe route to somehow make a career out of.

[Opalsasquatch]

If I had to start over now?

I have no idea.

The trades have always been good to me, as well as 6 years in the oilfield, but as you say, the times are changing rapidly.

No matter who is in charge now, the new energy tech field will charge ahead I think. The world runs on energy, no matter where it comes from.


"Shuuuuuuussssshhhhh.

You can't post stuff like that, too many heads will explode."
Hillbillyreefer

[Erik]

Law.

Forgive my cynicism, but as things get more automated we will end up being increasingly politicized as we fight over the scraps remaining. Law would prepare someone to take a leading role in that world.

I would have said computer science, but I fear that investments in education abroad have rendered Canada as a second order in this area. The increasing gridlock in political affairs both sides of the border at both the national and corporate level could easily see some of the more valuable tech investment skip a continent.

I also see Spanish language skills as an overlooked but potentially useful ancillary skill.

[3blade]

Talk to a few new nurses and see what they say. The job competition is severe, sometime hundreds of applicants for a single position. That being said it does pay well with good benefits and many different opportunities. Not so sure about job security given the current government debt loads. Teaching falls into the same category.

High end medical specialists ex: chiropractors, speech language pathologists, etc are in demand and while the education is expensive, it certainly pays off.

Law and accounting are good bets as well. Things that will always be needed.

[260 Rem]

Anything related to robotics ...programming / artificial intelligence / engineering.
Anything related to new/renewable/green energy.

[Kurt505]

My approach is letting my kids choose there own careers, indirectly.

All kids are different, some make good doctors, some make good teachers, some are salesmen.

The first words out of my oldest sons mouth were truck, quad, then dad. Not much has changed since then. I could steer him towards a construction trade, something in the medical field, or retail sales, but it's not where his hearts at. He's a motor head so I think it's going to be in the automotive or outdoor field.

The best career choice is the one you'll be successful in, and if you're hearts not in it, no matter how good of a career you pick, if you have to talk yourself into going to work everyday, chances are you won't be that successful it. If it's something you truly love, even if it's not the highest paying job, you will still be successful at it, and most likely make it into a high paying career, even if it's measured in happiness.

My youngest son is going to be an architect or engineer, not quite as tough and rugged like his older brother. Can't pry him off the lego, has a memory like an elephant and he is extremely smart.

[HunterDave]

Originally Posted by sns2

I have a daughter entering grade 12 who I am urging to consider a career in the medical field, likely nursing, as with the aging population, job prospects will likely continue to be good, it pays fairly well, and offers the opportunity for changing directions within the field.

What are you guys encouraging your young people to consider?

I had the same train of thought as you with my Daughter, now 25, when she was in grade 11 & 12. I thought that nursing was a good fit with her personality, job security, good salary, etc. She looked into it and decided that working shift, weekends & holidays and basically being on call all of the time was not for her and she wanted a more stable 9 to 5 Monday to Friday type of career. I can't say that I blame her and I think that nursing is the type of career that has to be your calling.

She took an aptitude test and sorted though the results and decided on pursuing a business degree specializing in human resources. What's the best for your Daughter? I'd say that it depends on her personality and interests. Get her to talk to the school councillor and take that aptitude test. Sort through the results taking everything like job security, demand, salary, etc into account and go from there.

My Daughter decided on a business degree in grade 12 but it wasn't until two years of university before she decided to specialize in human resources. She had other options to pursue to specialize in if she had wanted to.

[Erik]

Originally Posted by Kurt505

My approach is letting my kids choose there own careers, indirectly.

All kids are different, some make good doctors, some make good teachers, some are salesmen.

The first words out of my oldest sons mouth were truck, quad, then dad. Not much has changed since then. I could steer him towards a construction trade, something in the medical field, or retail sales, but it's not where his hearts at. He's a motor head so I think it's going to be in the automotive or outdoor field.

The best career choice is the one you'll be successful in, and if you're hearts not in it, no matter how good of a career you pick, if you have to talk yourself into going to work everyday, chances are you won't be that successful it. If it's something you truly love, even if it's not the highest paying job, you will still be successful at it, and most likely make it into a high paying career, even if it's measured in happiness.

My youngest son is going to be an architect or engineer, not quite as tough and rugged like his older brother. Can't pry him off the lego, has a memory like an elephant and he is extremely smart.

Good post. Despite my previous post, I agree that steering children should be along the lines of their strengths and interests and not the kooky speculations of an internet forum. I have now negated my input, but Kurt makes a good point. You're only going to last in a career you enjoy.

[MugEye]

I will let my kids do what they want with a little push here and there from mom and dad . Hard to say now what they will be now because there so young . My first girl (7) has a loving heart for animals and helping them from sheep to duck . My little vet . My second girls (6) is all about the garden and my grain fields . horticulturist. My boy (4) is here and there . Something with wheels . Myself I'm growing my farm and downsizing my construction company for a better style of life for my family.

[FCLightning]

Regardless of how the world changes, folks will still need places to live so there will always be a market for the trades that build and maintain housing. If some kid finds aspects of those vocations interesting and worthwhile, why discourage them from it? Too many times in education I hear "Why doesn't he try for something better?" I like to remind them that the owner of the local construction company seems to be far better off then they are.

[sns2]

FYI, in my post I said "consider". Can't push them against their will. Self-defeating.

[Big Racks]

My daughter is starting grade 11 this year. She's always had aptitude for math and science, and has decided, for now, that she'd like to pursue a medical career. Personally I think she might be more geared towards engineering, but who's to say.

Personally I always point young people towards my career, air traffic control. It's a stable job, in high demand, excellent pay and benefits, only high school diploma required. It's not for everyone, and the skill set is fairly specialized, but if you can make it through training and land a licence, you're set. Fairly intense training with a high required pass mark, followed by on the job training, is your total commitment. No long years in university and no huge student loans. Definitely worth a shot.

[HunterDave]

Mortician. People will never stop dying.

[ESOXangler]

I'm going to encourage engineering with my kids. But not sit at a desk and design things engineering. More of the field type, getting your hands dirty, digging in and troubleshooting type. These engineers actually exist and after about 10 years of that, grab an MBA and move into a management role. Those are the engineers that truly go far.

But at the end of the day it'll be whatever they want.

[Heyupduck]

Originally Posted by sns2

This likely comes as no surprise, but times are changing so darn fast, that educators openly admit that we do not know what jobs we are preparing our kids in kindergarten for.

With that in mind, I think it would be interesting to hear what fields you folks are encouraging your kids, or young people in your circle, to consider as viable, well paying, and stable careers.

I have a daughter entering grade 12 who I am urging to consider a career in the medical field, likely nursing, as with the aging population, job prospects will likely continue to be good, it pays fairly well, and offers the opportunity for changing directions within the field.

What are you guys encouraging your young people to consider?

Whatever they feel passionate about, or telecommunications

[58thecat]

I would never steer a person in a direction rather ensure that whatever career or profession they get into that they are happy, feet have to hit the floor everyday and best be on the positive side.
Some make great money and are miserable, some make less and are happy and vice versa so get into something that you truly enjoy or change things up along the road to life.

[st99]

health, no matter the state of the economy, people are always sick, government funded, great benefit, valid world wide, you'll never gonna run out of work

[SamSteele]

I'm sure many will disagree with me, but working a job that you are passionate about and love is a luxury that is rarely found in other parts of the world. I can't say that I have ever worked "my passion" or had a job that I woke up excited to go to. There are always other things I would rather be doing. But I have made a good living for myself and support my family.


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[Trochu]

Definitely, without a doubt, Power Engineering.

I've thought about this with/for my kids. I try to think of careers that are somewhat insulated from the economy. Some that come to mind are:

-Law (there are likely always going to be people buying houses, shops, starting businesses, getting married, getting divorced, getting into trouble, etc.);
-Mechanic (seems like there are still alot of cars on the road during this last recession and they soon may drive themselves, but they won't fix themselves);
-Vet (hard to get into though);
-IT (can't see IT going away or getting smaller anytime soon); and,
-Engineer (the policy makers and lack of people accepting responsibility are making these jobs more and more stable).

[pdog15]

Not sure about what is happening in the school systems these days, but there has been relatively little interest on their part over the years in terms of helping students with career planning. What with the focus on decreasing operating costs, it probably has not improved much.

Imo, it is well worth having students in grade X11 (perhaps late X1) do a Strong Interest Inventory - either with the school or an outside agency. It is designed to get at a student's interests as well as abilities (aptitudes) and match them against the interests/aptitudes of people who have successfully operated within particular vocational clusters. This is not an expensive item but whether or not it is available will, no doubt, vary from one division to another.

For X1-X11 students who are high to very high academic achievers, you might want to check out the MBTI (Myers Briggs Type Indicator). It is basically a personality type of inventory and one comes out with a four letter designation as to "type". It is commonly used in business to help with team building. Much more sophisticated than the Strong and not one that you will likely find in any school division (thus rather more pricey). It can have many applications, one of which is to match one's type with "types" of people within a wide range of occupations. Both of these inventories provide much self-insight - much more than simply reading a lot of material and self-reflecting.

One program that is often over-looked by schools, parents, and students and that is B. Comm. Very few teachers/administrators have a degree in business - much more likely are degrees in liberal arts/sciences. School programs such as Law 20 and Accounting 10/20/30 can give a student an insight as to weather or not business may be an interest they want to pursue. Academic students often do no take either of these courses and are much more likely to be exposed to sciences, liberal arts, and languages - thus are more likely to pursue these in post secondary.

Very high academic achievers have difficult decisions because they can virtually pass any subjects with honors. However, not likely their interests/aptitudes will be as broad. Starting one program only to find out that it is not a good fit for them is not good. Time is consumed, big dollars to transfer to another program (often courses are not transferable), etc., pale in comparison to doing some inventory testing early on.

Thanks to Trudeaus 1 and 2, French will be in ever increasing demand and shouldn't be written off. Spanish is also up and coming.

For high school students thinking about an education degree. If they are not Catholic, I would suggest becoming one - your chances of employment as regards "where" and teaching "what" will be about doubled. If you have French, expand on it. If you like Math/Physics expand on them - many more are taking the biology/chemistry route. In Grade X1/X11 take them all and keep your options open.

[brendan's dad]

Oldest sister was a partier in HS. Headed to Toronto at 17 and started waitressing. After 2 years realized she didn't want to do that for the rest of her life and headed to University. After her first year she was awarded a full scholarship and became an accountant. Her career lead her to being the head financial officer for a multi billion dollar mine project in New Caledonia. She is now semi-retire and does contract consulting.

Oldest brother went straight to University for 8 years. Owned his own vet clinic and now is the with the Alberta Vet Society.

Younger brother had 3 years towards a Chemistry degree. Decided he liked working with his hands. Went to trade school and became a Machinist. He is now part owner in his own company.

Me, I travelled and worked various job until I was 25. With approximately 2 years of schooling and on the job training, I am 18 years on the same career and will retire at 53. I honestly did not know for sure if this would be my career until I was several years into the profession.

I suspect your daughter was raised right and has great values. The work you have put in will help her along the way. Looking at my family, you would think that my oldest brother, the Vet had the perfect path. Well that path cost him his 1st marriage and almost his 2nd.

[trophybook]

I'd like today's kids to have common sense or there will be no reason to steer them in a direction of a career. I've had more dud electrical apprentices in the last 4 years than I've had in 13 years. And don't get me started on = pay. You want to get paid like a man you are required to work like one. You are not hired to be a pretty face.

[rem338win]

Environmental engineering, law, medicine, therapy and social skills if you want security.

[graybeard]

Originally Posted by 260 Rem

Anything related to robotics ...programming / artificial intelligence / engineering.
Anything related to new/renewable/green energy.

Let me add to the list:
Where there are people you will have work in addictions, mental health, anything in aging populations so you need to be good with people....some of the work is disgusting but all jobs have a downside to them in one way or another.

Watch and read and see where society is headed (lots of good advice here on AO)

Nothing better than determining the child's strengths and weaknesses. In the end they have to enjoy going to work.

For example, a lot of people have university degrees that are not currently working in their field of training.

What education tells an employer is that, the person is is willing and able to be trained and can work though some adversities, as not all courses are basket weaving.

If they are looking to go to school, and unsure what they want to do, have them take some courses that overlap with a variety of degree's or diploma programs.

That way they can start to build some credit and not waste their time and your money....

It is not easy .......so, Good luck

[trouthype]

I've just started my career (24), and might be able to offer some insight into a non traditional approach to computer science.

I moved to Alberta for university in 2011 and enrolled in a BComm program. I found that I really liked it, especially the team projects and presentations. Around the end of my 3rd year I had an idea for a website that I thought would change the world (LOL). I looked into lots of means of getting it built, and with some encouragement and the realization that I was broke, I decided to learn how to do it on my own.

Long story short, I never finished that project, but ended up self-learning some coding skills and developed a deep interest in technology and programming. I took on a few freelance clients and eventually ended up working for a local start-up. Worked there for about 1.5 years, which brings us to now.

I've been looking for a new job recently and have found one that I think is indicative of many other opportunities out there if you know where to look. It pays very well, benefits, new equipment, paid travel, etc., but the best part, which is becoming more popular these days, is that its remote! The company is based in Ottawa, but I am able to work from anywhere that has reasonable timezone overlap and an internet connection. Its a pretty great gig for someone who skipped the obligatory post highschool travelling gap year.

Anyways, there are tons of these jobs out there. If you like building things and solving problems/brainteasers, you will probably love development. It is EXTREMELY easy to teach yourself to an employable level with all of the info (free and paid) online. The process from start to being hired for me was about 7 months.

Feel free to shoot me any questions.

https://medium.com/the-self-taught-p...r-3c87b4d9a2ea

https://www.quora.com/Can-I-become-a...ght-programmer

https://stackoverflow.com/jobs?sort=p

https://jobs.github.com/

[bobtodrick]

My 16 year old already knows what he wants to do.
He is going to take forensic sciences, specializing in the criminal aspect.
I've got many professional contacts in EPS, RCMP and the military. They all say their is an ongoing constant shortage in this area so I think he is good to go with this decision.
My 14 year old alternates between a biologist or a video games developer and is at this moment taking a summer minicourse in that at NAIT to see how he likes it. Both I think would be good choices.

[pal488]

Originally Posted by Trochu

Definitely, without a doubt, Power Engineering. .

theres no market for power engineers..

buy low, sell high; teach your kids.

[Badgerbadger]

Plumber.

People will always live somewhere that pipes/faucets leak, and toilets get plugged.

Medicine. I'd probably go with geriatric medicine, and look to develop a retirement community in a fading, lake front, ex-lumber/mill town in BC. People "of my age" are looking to retire somewhere nice, cheap, with health care, and recreational options.

Good luck to her, no matter what she chooses!

[Unregistered user]

HVAC. I took a trade almost 40 years ago, thought it could always be something l could fall back on once l figured out what l really wanted to do. Still in it, still haven't figured out what l want to do. With the ongoing retirement boom there should be much opportunity in your field of choice. Good luck young people.