[Erica]

What type of careers would you encourage kids to look into in the next 10-15 years? Ones that pay well but don’t start with a lot of debt or come with insane hours and lots of stress.

As we think about the future and the careers that will shape it, it’s essential to guide our children in considering paths that promise stability, fulfillment, and growth.

In today’s rapidly changing world, the job market is evolving, with some fields emerging as particularly promising.

What careers should kids consider to ensure a good future? We’d love to hear your thoughts on which professions you believe hold the most potential for success and satisfaction.

Are there specific industries that are thriving or skills that will be in high demand in the coming years?

Additionally, how can parents and educators encourage children to explore these career options?

Whether it’s technology, healthcare, environmental science, the arts, or any other field, your insights can help shape the aspirations of the next generation.

Please share your opinions, experiences, and any resources you think would be beneficial for kids as they embark on their journey toward a fulfilling career.

[Kira]

Honestly, consider specialist trades on their list (electrical, plumbing, mechanical etc)

Civil / energy / electrical / mechanical / space engineering and such

[Stella]

Real estate agent or mortgage broker. I invest about $1000 for my license. I spent a lot of time in college; I wouldn’t say I wasted my time, but if I had started earlier, I would have a lot now.

I started late, but I am good at what I do. The mortgage job pays well, but it comes with a lot of stress.

However, being able to handle that stress strengthens my characters.

I have never needed alcohol or seen a therapist to help me in my life.

It is not for everyone but these careers above will pay well with a small investment.

[Kristy]

The trades. Get them into an apprenticeship straight out of high school (or whatever the timeline looks like if you’re homeschooling).

They’ll start earning immediately rather than having to wait 2-4+ years for after traditional college.

We live in a relatively HCOL area and my husband is an electrician and fully supports our family of 6.

I’m able to stay at home with the kids, and homeschool them.

We often talk about the freedom someone would feel making what he makes and being a single person!

And to get started at a young age just sets you up for so much success.

[Jenn]

Nothing in the medical field.
I think most careers that pay well require some sacrifices.

I do not think you should necessarily discourage fields based on these things.

I am a CRNA and it’s an incredible career, but requires some sacrifices for sure.

[Amanda]

Cybersecurity! To enter the field is only a bachelors and sometimes less, HIGH demand and generally really competitive pay and relatively low stress.

Office environment and lots of opps to grow within the field

[Elizabeth]

Electronic medical record work – like Epic support. High job security and fair salaries, without the need for anything higher than an undergraduate degree.

[Vanessa]

Government worker. Great health insurance, lots of time off and a pension.

Not the best for pay unless you get into management, but that doable if you’re a hard worker.

[Brandy]

My eldest is still figuring that out, due to trying to find thw right fit with his disabilities…but my other 3 have planned/are doing:
2nd born is doing his Degree in Agriculture tech.

We will always need farmers but as the farming industry becomes more tech driven they need essentially farm tech support which is what son is doing.

3rd born is in tradeschool doing industrial heavy duty mechanic specializing in Agriculture machinery but also training for semis etc
4th plans to go into EMS, with a goal of becoming a paramedic.

They are still in highschool and wanted medical field but with their LDs being a Dr etc was not the best fit.

But paramedical where it is high pressure focus and then down again until the next call it is a better fit while still in a much needed medical field.

Who knows if they will stick with those fields though. But I wouldn’t be surprised if they change paths as the times change.

I mean I am on my 3rd career path since I became an adult, it is always evolving imo.

[Sonja]

Depends on their interests. Healthcare related careers would be in-demand.

[Cydney-Joe]

I love this question! As a homeschooling mom to elementary aged kids, right now I’m nudging toward robotics/engineering, but other’s ideas would be super valuable!

[Lu]

Not healthcare. More work and decreased reimbursements.

[Tyler]

Over the next 10-15 years the workforce landscape is going to be so different from where it is now.

I would consider career fields that can’t be automated or heavily reduced by technology improvements.

From my perspective, I would make the case for a career in the trades industry.

[Linda]

This should be driven by their aptitudes and interests. You will know as they get older whether they are the math or engineering type, healthcare or more of the business/entrepreneurial type.

Whatever parh this is just encourage and nurture its development along with internships, shadowing, etc.

[Denise]

STEM if they want to go to college get a STEM degree or go to community College and get a bunch of certifications (tech careers are ever advancing so stay up to date for the most opportunities).

If not, go into welding or electric.
Get into entrepreneurship as well.

[Lisa]

They can’t focus on money, they need to focus on what THEY love to do. My son focused on money and spend two miserable years, dropping out and admitting he never wanted to be a chemical engineer, he’s slats wanted to be a history professor.

He’s getting his PhD now at Syracuse.

It all worked out but would have saved him time and us money if he’d been honest with himself and us and did what he loved.

So don’t discuss money as being top priority.

[Negrita]

Family Daycare provider specializing in infants/toddlers.

Will always be needed (especially infants) and it’s extremely fun and highly rewarding.

If you have the character for it, it’s not stressful at all. (At least the kids aren’t, can’t say the same about the parents.)
Pays well and you’re home for your angels!!

[Samuel]

Planning around personal finances, estate planning, and tax planning will only grow more complex. I think they’ll be increasingly in demand, too

[Damon]

We focus on exploring their interests, work ethic, developing critical thinking, communication, business skills, and having equity stake in the projects they contribute to.

Then expose them to as much as we possibly can. Ages 7-12.

[Luke]

Military, plumber, welder, electrician.
All can pay extremely well. All offer OJT and seldom require money to start

[Terri]

I don’t think it would be accurate to say that a high paying job is widely possible without hard work (stress)— whether it be schooling or training. Are there unicorns? sure.

But I am sure if you ask any engineer (often suggested in this thread) or engineering student if they have a low stress, they’d say no.

My daughter is in school for nursing and it is hard, stressful, and competitive.

She has been working and study hard to excel in math and science since high school- and it has doubled down in college.

Offen, the high paying jobs are high paying because it is hard, competitive, and stressful to achieve the skills and knowledge needed for that job.

Doe you want your average Joe/Jane as anything of consequence? Not really

That being said Data Science (although there are lots of people studying that right now), medical (not just doctors and nurses but radiology technicians and such), and cybersecurity are 3 areas that come to mind.

[Kyle]

Accounting, sales, real estate, HR, federal government, college administration, finance, cybersecurity, air traffic controller. Best of luck!

[Suzanne]

I’m an engineer. It’s one of the highest paying careers you can enter with just a bachelor’s degree. While there are positions out there that involve long hours & stress, there are plenty of positions that don’t.

I’ve chosen a role where I can work my 40 hours and go home (technical expert type job).

Work from home 2x a week, in the office 3x. I also had an opportunity to work part time for seven years when my kids were little.

Lots of engineering jobs at fortune 500 companies that have excellent pay and excellent benefits.

I get BOTH a pension and a 401(k) with 6% match. Annual bonus, employee stock purchase plan… it definately makes FIRE easier to be in the right career.

Salary wise, there’s overlap between the more highly paid engineers and the lower paid physician specialties.

And you don’t have to deal with medical school debt and residency.

All that said, you have to like math and be willing to work HARD in college.

Put in the long hours in college studying, and you won’t have to put in the long hours later in life.

[Carla]

Accounting, data analytics, computer engineering, AI development, cyber security, network infrastructure.

Accounting is seeing a large reduction in enrolled students partnered with the fact that many CPA’s are retiring leading to this field being pretty secure for the future.

While you will hear horror stories about accounting and long hours, there are MANY MANY MANY ways to achieve work/life balance and low stress as an accountant.

[Erin]

I’m a court reporter, and there is a HUGE shortage. So I would definitely recommend that a high schooler look into that.

The schooling is trade school self paced, and it’s not more expensive than a state bachelor’s degree.

But the income potential is insane, right off the bat

[Author]

Posts