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.

Steer clear of hospitality and catering! Low pay and crap hours!

Aircraft engineering is pretty well paid , in demand and has benefits like staff travel for free / very low fares .

Being a pilot is being seen as more prestigious but pay can be comparable with engineering giving better hours for family life

It's a hub that can't be taken over by ai

I’d recommend local government and not recommend NHS. All down to how staff are valued and treated.

With the emergence of AI, many jobs that are available today will most probably not be around by the time your son is ready for his proper full time job.
We are at a pivotal time.
The best thing you can do for your child is teach him to become a problem solver and be creative in order to create and innovate.

Teaching. Left 4 years ago - salary has more than doubled in private sector. Not that money is eveything. Work is also easier!

Self employment is low paid and long hours, lots of insecurity. I speak from experience!
I advised my son to go for a high paying job so he’s got a job in the city, he did a computing degree.

Would recommend : Anything which cannot, and will not, be replaced by a computer, AI robot etc etc. Eg vet, builder, hairdresser, plumber, chef.

Would not recommend : Hospitality, retail, anything which can, and will, be replaced by a computer AI robot etc. Eg accountant, journalist, analyst, truck driver, travel agent.

God me too. 25 years down and 13 to go if I don't walk sooner.

My son is adamant he wants to be a Forensic Palaeontologist and has been for some time! I'm happy with that.

I wouldn't want him to be in the Armed Forces, or any of the emergency services. But, having said that, it's not up to me!

Teaching. But I reckon one of them will probably fall into it, because they've grown up with it. Although ds did once suggest that I should have worked harder, then I wouldn't have had to be a teacher. I told him I wasn't sure what grades he thought trumped As at A Level (old school) and reminded him who paid for all his holidays.

Trouble is, I think they ignore me spouting about the bad bits and just hear me waxing lyrical about the best bits and 'my other kids'.

I would hate DD to go into Politics, that’s really my main hate.

Otherwise, I would agree about public sector unless you are reasonably passionate and depending on the role and your personality (you have to be able to deal with external objectives being forced on you, from government).

I agree pharmaceuticals is a good career choice, we live in an area with lots of the big companies and there is definitely a good work/life balance plus good career prospects.

I also agree that it is good to consider whether a passion should become a career or stay as a hobby. Doing anything for 40 hours a week is quite full on.

As an accountant, the positive I would say is that you can choose to work in a field that interests you, be it fashion, health, banking, etc etc. The work/life balance isn’t always great though.

I have been encouraging my eldest two to look at environmentally focused options, there's a whole range of avenues, all pretty future secure, remote working applicable.

Teaching or social work

Yes to -
Engineering, any branch
Economics
Law
Medicine
Environmental engineering / science
Geology
Media
Electrician
Plumber
Accountancy
Dentistry
Dental hygienist
Personal trainer
Logistics
Project management
Financial analysis
Actuarial science
Biostatistics
Nurse anesthetist
Nurse practitioner
IT security, systems management, systems analyst
Hairdressing
Alternative medicine (acupuncture, etc)
Occupational therapy
Speech therapy
Physiotherapy
Armed services - commissioned officer only
HGV driver
Pilot
Marine/ ferry/ port

No to -
Teaching
Childcare
Architecture (nice but not recession proof)
Nursing unless it involves a BSc and therefore opportunities to branch into management or pharma sales, etc.

Architecture and engineering. Lots of study, crap pay, long hours, job uncertainty in this current climate. Still enjoy my work, but it’s tough.

Artificial intelligence is going to change the job market almost beyond comprehension. I'd be encouraging him to find his passion and try and find a way to make that pay.

I think ‘recommend’ is a tricky one - I’m a vet and it’s definitely a perfect fit for me, despite some absolute shit bits of the job, I do overall love going to work and I’d choose this career again if I had the chance. I recognise it’s pretty unhealthy and damaging for some people in the profession though, so I don’t think I’d encourage my kids into it unless I think they’ve got the right sort of personality for it. I think a lot of jobs that are the most rewarding can also be the hardest.

As a parent, I’m going to try and be honest with my kids in the future about the fact that money is really important when you’re an adult - although if they decide to follow their passion rather than the east/well paid option then I’ll be secretly pleased. I’d be a little bit (secretly) sad if my kids ended up spending their lives shuffling spread sheets around, even if it means they drive a nice car…

Veterinary - avoid :(

I've been in the civil service for a few years. I really like it, you don't get the same cut-throat, backstabbers that you see in private business as everyone is trying to clamber up the greasy pole. It's just too political, bitchy and you honestly can't trust anyone. Everyone is so lovely where I work and the pay scales are public knowledge and everyone is paid fairly and given equal opportunity to progress.

@PartTimePartyPooper why do you say that about accounting / finance. DC interested in it

I know a lot of people in trades so electrician, gas engineer, carpenter etc.

They're all self employed but always busy! If he could look at an apprenticeship when he's of age could that be a possibility? I always found working the job to learn much more worthwhile.

Personally I wish my son to take on a trade, preferably an electrician!

I said no to politics for dh, I said no to him applying for a leading public position in the civil service he has been invited apply to. I would suggest not doing something that leads you to being fodder for the tabloids.

Seriously? Teaching is horrendous these days! I wouldn’t wish it on my worst enemy!

@Vet73 why avoid veterinary? Genuine question, it looks well paid and it’s not funded by the government.

One thing I wish I knew is the earning cap for my profession. I’ve nearly reached the cap about 15 years in and I’m unlikely to get much more in the future.