If you work in HR, what studies/career avenues would you recommend to a 15-year-old?

[TR888]

My boy is 15 and I have two younger children. I'm aware the labour market is due to undergo a drastic transformation in the next few years and I'd like to help them choose careers with a long-term future.

I'd also like them to be in high-paying jobs if possible. Obviously, they need to enjoy them too. But I just feel that the stress that comes from being constantly short of money is as bad as anything!

Any thoughts?

One last try! 🙂

Tech, specifically automation and AI/ML is super hot now and will be the major growth area in IT for the next decade at least. Engineering, particularly chemical, EE and nuclear is also a good bet as there are huge changes coming in the energy markets. For any STE career, being able to program is pretty much vital so learn Python now.

Having an extra language (German is a safe bet, Japanese, Mandarin or Korean if you are feeling adventurous) is also very useful.

I’m not in HR what you actually need is a careers adviser, well he does anyway.

What are his strengths and weaknesses and does he excel at anything at all. When it comes to money the wealthiest people I know work in the city and oil and gas industry. The next tier down are builders and then academics and engineers plus DH has quite a few Medics in his family and they are now all at senior level.

Success is more complicated than just being academic, encourage communication skills and trying lots of different things. Beware telling them what they should do only guide.

All of that's irrelevant unless they are interested in it, or is wealth the only marker of success?

Wealth is definitely not the only marker of success. But I personally find money worries very stressful, and I'd love my children not to have any as adults. So many issues in life can be resolved or at least alleviated with money...

The most important skills are self-awareness, resilience, emotional intelligence and self management.

Technical (STEM) skills and languages are always going to be useful

Knowing their own strengths and weaknesses and finding ways to make a living from what they're naturally good at and interested in is really important. That doesn't mean only 'follow your passion' but don't be afraid to listen to what comes naturally and what you love and find ways to leverage that in ways that are useful to the world and to other people.