Jobs you would or wouldn't reccommend to your children

[Maine234]

My son is still young but is starting to think about what job he would like to have when he is older and it got me thinking about the types of jobs I would reccommend to him.

I dont have any experience with emergency services or teaching but as an outsider looking in, it seems to me that both areas are overworked, underpaid, understaffed, underappreciated and very stressful with a poor work life balance. So I would be telling my son to think very very carefully before going down these routes.
I would also advise against anything strongly reliant on tourism as that seems to be the first place people cut back when money is tight and every recession sees thousands of job losses in tourism.

If I had to reccommend some industries I would go for phamaceitucals, waste management or food producion. They are the first industries that spring to mind when I think about stability because people will always need medicine, food and a way to get rid of their rubbish.

Interested to hear what other jobs or Industries people would or wouldn't reccommend.

Anything public facing. The public are a complete nightmare with their "the customer is always right" attitude.

Emergency services here (20 years). I wouldn’t want either of my daughters to do this. You hit the nail on the head with understaffed, underpaid, overworked and incredibly stressful not to mention very traumatic at times. I’m hoping to leave next year for pastures new.

Teaching, of course.

It’s important he follows his passion/interest/strengths. The worst thing is going into jobs every day and hating it. At a young age he won’t have developed those interests yet so give it time.

Prison staff. Absolutely amazing people I've met but my goodness it's an underpaid and thankless job. My oldest has his heart set on being a teacher and I'm keeping my fingers crossed he stays on that track.

Nursing. I am actively trying to get as far away from the NHS as I can. I've tried and tried, but I'm worn down from it and I'm not the only nurse who feels this way.

If my kids wanted to follow a career in health care, I'd do everything that I could to persuade them otherwise.

I recommend generals dentistry or hairdressing.

I used to recommend accounting & finance but not any more. Steer clear.

Of the top 30 jobs, most have either 'engineer' in their title or are legal or medical. They also have the best return on investment for education costs.

Things I wouldn't recommend? Poorly paid, devalued, traditionally female jobs. Childcare, caring, service. Live like a woman, work like a man.

I'd recommend something that they had a real interest in combined with achieving a reasonable wage. It's pointless chasing the cash if it is something that you have no interest/dislike.

For example emergency services is undervalued and understaffed but if that's what my DC wants to do then I would fully encourage them.

I have 2 DC. One wants to be a scientist, the other a tree surgeon. Both get my full support regardless of salary etc.

Teaching

Nursing/healthcare

Restaurant work

My kids are too young to have a serious view of what they want to do but I'm trying to get across to them that getting the best grades possible will open the most doors to potentially enjoyable jobs (whether or not they then choose to follow through with a job requiring strong academics).

No to teaching. I speak from.experience

I wouldn’t recommend the Police / Teaching or childcare.

I would recommend IT / PR / Media

Who amongst us hasn't dreamt of a career in waste management?

yes to Geotechnical engineer/ geologist

No to teaching, or any job that has you sat at a computer ALL day

I would love my children to become builders, have a practical skill- sadly right now they’re ant to be mermaids.

otherwise IT is always guaranteed work.

dear god not an influencer !

Definitely not teaching (from experience). Mine are still young but dd says vet, she’s very bright so probably could, but no idea what that’s like? I can see ds doing something involving maths.

Teaching
social work
care work
childcare
many jobs in the NHS

Sad, really.

If he wants a decent wage and any perks then avoid all public services or state education roles.

I don’t know any happy teachers. This makes me very sad because my teachers played such a huge part in shaping who I am today. I feel we let such an important profession down as a society.

People I know in emergency services (paramedics, police, fire service) love their jobs. Most lawyers and accountants I know seem to enjoy their work and are well-rewarded. Most of my creative friends love their work despite being poorly rewarded.

I know a lot of civil servants who are totally miserable. They’re there for the pension- never talk about their work positively. I’d hate my DCs to have no joy in their work.

As a teacher I would 100% discourage them from entering the profession.
Also social work and law.

I have cousins who are dentists and all have it pretty cushy so wouldn't mind encouraging that or engineering as the engineers and dentists I know all seem to have a pretty good work/life balance whilst making a good income.

I would recommend being an undertaker. Always work available, clients don't talk back.

Another teacher here. Thankfully both my DC have no interest in it.

I'd suggest getting a legal qualification. There is always plenty of work and easy to move roles if you wish to do so.

On a more general note I'd strongly advise anyone to limit their career choice to roles that can be done from anywhere.

Even with current technology it is easy to do many jobs from almost any location. That is a huge plus point when considering things such as housing. Jobs that require you attend a specific physical place of work everyday are extremely limiting in terms of life choices.

In pre-tech days I used to be somewhat envious of people such as authors who lived in remote cottages. I thought that was the ultimate freedom to be able to live wherever you wanted to while still working. Nowadays there are a huge number of jobs that would allow you to replicate that.

My daughter is set on a career in graphic design (and she's well on her way with distinction ** in college)..she can gladly peruse that all the way!

My son wants to be an engineer in the RAF, he's currently in the cadet and loving it and at 14, is already scoring 7's in gcse science & maths papers. Again, happy for him to crack on!

The only jobs/careers I would dissuade them from would be customer service/hospitality/nursing & teaching. Anyone in these jobs is a superhero with all the bullsh!t the have to put up with. I have worked in every one of these sectors and they are the absolute definition of over worked & underpaid!!