Some kids know, some don’t. Some may never know. Both my kids know what they want to do, one is very specific, the other a bit broader but still a defined area to study. They are 16 and 14 and I can definitely see them staying the course. But before they got to these places, there other things just thrown around.

When I was 16, I looked at the type of lifestyle I wanted as an adult. I wanted a job that paid well, had a flexible schedule, and lots of vacation time. I figured this out because my mom was a doctor who earned a lot but had a terrible schedule and little vacation time. The combo I wanted took a surprising number of jobs off the table, so it helped me to get focused.

Anonymous wrote:I don’t think there’s a rush at 16. How many people are doing now what they wanted to do at 16?

For some there is no rush. But some kids need to start bringing in an income as soon as they finish school and for them, it’s important to think about it early if they want to maximize their earnings potential.

And, even for kids who are going to college, unless you are going to a liberal arts school and view education for education’s sake as a worthy pursuit, kids need some level of direction.

For our kid who is college bound, we started visiting colleges the summer before 9th grade to get her thinking about post high school like - like what area of the country might you want to go, what size school and demographics fit you, which schools offer programs you might want to study, which schools might offer enough aid that you would be able to go there and that sort of thing. It worked to focus her and by the time she had to start applying, she had it figured out.

Anonymous wrote:Nothing. Following their lead. 21, 18 and 15.

Exactly.

He’ll figure it out.

The only goal I actively encouraged my kids to work towards was college. And when they did start college, I encouraged both of them to enter as undecided majors and take a variety of classes to see what interests them (I know have a recent college grad and a college sophomore).

Otherwise I’m a big proponent of letting them be kids.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Don't worry, AI will ruin any good idea he has now.

if you really want him brainstorming, ask him what kind of trade he might be interested in...

maybe cooking?

zookeeper?

I love this!

It's going to be a lot less amusing. My DC are younger than the OP's, but I have no idea what to tell them about things they can be when they grow up, because most of the stuff they imagine jsut wont' be jobs anymore.

Tell them to really think about whether they're choosing a career that can easily be done by AI. Regular coding, for example, would be a terrible choice. AI prompt coding would be good. Contract review attorney would be a terrible choice. Litigation attorney would be good. Any job that requires in person service, like plumber, electrician, HVAC repair would be good. This is definitely a real thing people need to consider.

Mine have specific career interests but came up with them on their own. I think it's safer to be well-rounded since those specific interests and career options may change. One of mine has a new career passion every 6-18 months.

When else can you easily explore tons of things (clubs, books, podcasts, part time jobs) so carefreely? I wouldn't want then to be too narrow yet.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Don't worry, AI will ruin any good idea he has now.

if you really want him brainstorming, ask him what kind of trade he might be interested in...

maybe cooking?

zookeeper?

I love this!

It's going to be a lot less amusing. My DC are younger than the OP's, but I have no idea what to tell them about things they can be when they grow up, because most of the stuff they imagine jsut wont' be jobs anymore.

Anonymous wrote:Don't worry, AI will ruin any good idea he has now.

if you really want him brainstorming, ask him what kind of trade he might be interested in...

maybe cooking?

zookeeper?

I love this!

Anonymous wrote:Nothing. Following their lead. 21, 18 and 15.

This.

I don’t think there’s a rush at 16. How many people are doing now what they wanted to do at 16?

Don't worry, AI will ruin any good idea he has now.

if you really want him brainstorming, ask him what kind of trade he might be interested in...

maybe cooking?

zookeeper?

Kids are also under a ton more pressure and are more stressed these days. Let him be. He'll figure himself out. He probably doesn't want to tell you a plan because then you'll try to make him stick to it and ask a ton of questions if he deviates.

Nothing. Following their lead. 21, 18 and 15.

DS is clueless, works a few days a week with friends. He is going into 11th grade, he still doesn't think about his future. I realize he's young but would love if he would express some interest in life goals, just general ideas. Kids are exposed to so much today, I would think he would be more "pronounced' by now. What have you done to start pointing your child in some direction for more formative thoughts about their future?