“What do you want to be when you grow up?” It’s one of the most common questions we ask young adults. What do they want to be? What big dreams do they have? Hearing them talk excitedly about their futures is a delight. But I never hear my job. No kid says they want to be a parking lot striper when they grow up.
Recently, I was talking about this with a group of other business owners. Our childhood selves wouldn’t even know to want the careers we’ve ended up in. After thinking about this more, I’ve come up with a collection of topics. How we’ve been taught to plan for the future, what jobs young adults know about, and what other jobs are out there.
When They Grow Up
So, what are we trying to accomplish when we ask young adults what they want to be? In most cases, it’s a simple question. An easy way to connect with the person we’re speaking with. On a larger scale, it’s an effort to encourage kids to have at least a small plan. Having a direction for the future is key to future success. However, how we teach kids to approach the future could use some work.
For young adults, a common sentiment is to “do what you love and you’ll never work a day in your life.” I have subscribed to this, tried it, and decided against this montra. Figure out your passions then figure out how to fund them. You shouldn’t commit your life to a job you despise, but you actually don’t have to be in love with it. Work is work, even with all the passion in the world. Finding a job that can financially support you is much more important. Dream big but stay grounded.
The Careers Young Adults Know
Often, young adults choosing future careers are limited by their knowledge of what’s out there. Students just don’t know what’s out there. Who can blame them! There are unlimited number of jobs out there. Over their lifespan, the average person will even change careers multiple times. This fact isn’t told to students, instead, we ask them what one job they will be doing for their whole future. Alternative career paths aren’t typically presented as an option. If they are, it is a lesser one.
The Careers That are Out There
Voco Vision took the time to ask a large number of kids what they wanted to be when they grew up. They received the usual answers. Doctor, teacher, scientist, lawyer- big ticket recognizable careers requiring years of schooling. Some answered athlete, musician, or even a YouTuber! Less schooling, but substantially more work with less chances of success. It’s not that these career choices are bad, or that people shouldn’t dream big, it’s that we should validate and encourage kids who don’t have such big dreams. You don’t need a recognizable job to be happy and successful.
What I see is a reluctance to talk about “dirty jobs.” Jobs that aren’t pretty, or aesthetic, but need to be done. Guys like Travis at Dick’s Nusiance who do animal control, or Colby the home inspector at Vertex who has the joy of climbing in attitics and other tight spaces in both the cold of winter and the sweltering heat of summer. Garbage collectors, plumbers, home restoration specialists; the list goes on. No one wants to do it, so they hire it out or get different jobs. These are good, steady jobs that students aren’t encouraged to aim for.
Sometimes, these jobs are work where the industry behind it is easy to ignore. I work as a business owner & parking lot striper, keeping lots neat and presentable. Most young adults don’t even know there’s a person who paints the lines. Despite this, my work is still valuable and fills a vital. As a collective, we need to do a better job letting kids know that there’s someone behind the world around them. Someone created their favorite toy, worked to grow the vegetables they don’t want to eat, and someone put the stripes in their school parking lot.
Showing Children Further Career Options
How can we help kids and young adults and students learn about more career options? We give them more information and discuss all the options available. Giving older students opportunities to explore career fairs can open doors to jobs they may have never considered. Talk to children about your work and the work done by others in your community. Less standard jobs aren’t celebrated often, but are just as important as the doctors and lawyers to the community. Encourage your children to aim for financial stability and to find fulfillment outside of their work lives.
My career path hasn’t gone as expected, but I’m more than satisfied with where I am. Parking lot striping allows me to support my family and operate a business while still having time to spend with my family and friends. It’s not the most glamorous job, but it doesn’t need to be. Explore your options, prioritize your wellbeing, and stay happy!