[graciegirl]

What will you or have you told your children AND grandchildren about selecting a career, preparing for a job and independence and being new in a job?

[2BNTV]

I'm leaving that up to my son, as he decided early to go into Hotel management industry. I went to the library and obtained a government forecast of what industries would be hiring, in the next ten years.

What good is a degree, if there are no jobs in that industry? Several of my nephews and nieces picked professions, they never got a job in.

I'll probably talked to him in a few years to see, what direction the grandchild plans to get a degree in. Hopefully, she picks a good field of endeavor.

[OBXNana]

Figure out what you love to do and then figure out how to get paid to do it.

[Walter123]

Originally Posted by graciegirl

What will you or have you told your children AND grandchildren about selecting a career, preparing for a job and independence and being new in a job?

I'd say that depends on the personality of the child. You say whatever it is that you want to say and then let go. I realized that you must trust and support their decision because you most likely cannot change their mind. Our kids will have a tough time, much tougher than we did. Having a 23yo boy just out of the Army and in college I think he has a better chance than most.
The best advice I think I could give would be to be happy, whatever that is.

[Walter123]

Originally Posted by OBXNana

Figure out what you love to do and then figure out how to get paid to do it.

That's a good one.

[l2ridehd]

My advice to my own and any other children I get to talk to is the same. I had the opportunity to serve on the board of a very large California University and so got to speak to large groups of students many times. My advice was always the same.

1. Learn to speak another language fluently. Preferably Mandarin and Spanish, as with those and English you can communicate with most of the world.

2. If you know your passion and can make a living doing it, follow it. If you don't, get a Masters degree in International business. With that degree and those language skills you can write your own ticket.

3. Always show up, better still always show up early, and best of all is to show up early and be dressed to play.

[dillywho]

When both my boys wanted to join the Navy, I told them that if that was what they wanted then:

1) Don't let anyone talk you into it, if your not sure that's what you want.

2) Don't let anyone talk you out of it, if that's what you want.

3) Your life, your decision.

They are both now retired from the Navy and proud of it and I am proud of them for following their hearts. They both now have college degrees and new careers, as well.

[NotGolfer]

Originally Posted by OBXNana

Figure out what you love to do and then figure out how to get paid to do it.

Yup...just what I was going to say! Wish someone would have given me this advice back in the day. I didn't go with what I loved and never found exactly what I should do for work. Mostly hated my job(s)!!

[pbkmaine]

And now, back to the original topic...
My advice would be to be flexible and embrace change. Few people take the path they originally thought they would. Get a good, well-rounded education. And if you can't follow your passion, follow your curiosity. Try a job just because it interests you and see where it takes you.

[Villages PL]

Advising a high school age person to do what they love can backfire. Some end up thinking that they are supposed to love everything they do and might decide they don't love going to school. So they quit school or stop going after high school.

Others go on to college and major in subjects like art, sociology, philosophy, music or physical education. They may love it, but their chances of finding appropriate employment are slim.

So think twice before telling someone that they should love everything they do.

[Bavarian]

Study a career that is Marketable!

[Madelaine Amee]

Originally Posted by graciegirl

What will you or have you told your children AND grandchildren about selecting a career, preparing for a job and independence and being new in a job?

Having been raised by an extremely overbearing and controlling Mother, I have always stayed out of the discussions regarding the career paths in which my grandchildren are interested. It is not my job, it is their parents job. BUT, that said they know where I am and have asked my opinion on their potential careers. I help in any way I can if I am asked, otherwise I stay out of situations like this. If, however, I was raising them, I would certainly expect to have an opinion. I enjoy being the good guy, I take them shopping, I spend money on them and just love them to pieces.

[SALYBOW]

Originally Posted by graciegirl

What will you or have you told your children AND grandchildren about selecting a career, preparing for a job and independence and being new in a job?

I told them I worked for 28 years at a job that paid well but I did not care for it. I switched to something that I loved but did not pay well. The second job, though emotionally challenging was definitely where I belonged. Moral of the story, Mimi is a cheap old thing!!!