Comments on: Barbie the Computer Geek

By: Daddy Forever

Daddy Forever — Sat, 23 Jan 2010 17:07:18 +0000

Well, my brightest and oldest daughter wants to be a cashier at Target because she would love to get all the money people give to the cashier.

By: Daddy Forever

Daddy Forever — Sat, 23 Jan 2010 17:05:42 +0000

My brother has a PhD in Philosophy and all he can do is teach with it. And in today’s cutbacks, philosophy is one the areas that usually get cuts first.

By: Daddy Forever

Daddy Forever — Sat, 23 Jan 2010 17:02:58 +0000

It’s too bad kids are not encouraged to work for a couple of years before they choose a major in college. They have to pick a college and a major before they are even 18.

By: Chris H

Chris H — Sat, 23 Jan 2010 07:36:57 +0000

Career advice?
do what makes you HAPPY.
Life is too short to be doing a job you hate.

By: Keith Wilcox

Keith Wilcox — Sat, 23 Jan 2010 01:57:24 +0000

I am really stern with my kids about making the most out of their education. When I was a kid it seemed all the experts were telling parents to just be ultra supportive no matter what. While I want to be supportive, I also want to be realistic. I had a double major in History and Spanish, neither of which were any help to me in the real world. I could have learned Spanish on my own. I should have studied Engineering (which is what I always wanted to do anyway), but I didn’t because I took the easier rout. Instead of telling me not to be a lazy ass, my parents were completely laid back about it and allowed me to choose subjects that had no real world application. I would have appreciated a little more guidance.

So, that’s what I want to give my kids. I stress scientific study with them. My oldest says he wants to be a Tennis Player. That’s fine; I’ll even support that dream in the form of lessons and I’ll drive him all over to make it happen. However, he also has to have some brains. My littlest wants to be a business owner; he wants to own a bakery. I think that’s awesome, because that’s a usefull skill. To be a baker and to know about business is a really good thing.

Anyway, as long as they know that nothing comes easy, and they continue to work hard for what they really want, I’ll be supportive of them. Ahhhh, I got it off my chest! :-) Feels so much better!

By: Desert Songbird

Desert Songbird — Sat, 23 Jan 2010 00:18:37 +0000

Hubby has multiple degrees and is now a software engineer. They make a great living, but they are prepared to job hop every few years because of the cyclical nature of the various industries. He’s worked automotive, industrial controls, commercial aviation, and is now in defense. He loves his work, and he makes a high salary, but most importantly, his current employer has wonderful health care benefits – yippee!

I really want my kids to understand that they need to be happy with their choices first, and then the money, if they are passionate enough, will either come or it won’t. I also want them to know that whatever they choose to do does not mean they need to be locked in that for a lifetime. It’s extremely rare that anyone stays with one employer and/or in the same type of position for a lifetime.

Additionally, we have to realize that our kids are being educated in an archaic system that is not preparing them for jobs in a world where we don’t know what will be the important ones. We have no idea what careers or jobs will be available to our kids in the future.

I feel pretty strongly that the best thing we can do to prepare our kids for the future is to instill in them the ability to solve problems creatively, to communicate clearly and effectively, and to use technology to their greatest advantage. They need to learn how to THINK for themselves.

By: Daddy Forever

Daddy Forever — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 20:49:52 +0000

Unless she becomes a model.

By: Daddy Forever

Daddy Forever — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 20:49:20 +0000

I think I would have liked law too. Does reading John Grisham novels count for anything?

By: Holly Schwendiman

Holly Schwendiman — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 16:05:16 +0000

I hear you on apps and software. That’s hubby’s specialty and he loves it. I love it too because I know I can always ask him if there’s a faster, better way to do something automatically and not only can he tell me, he can provide me something to do it! :) I always thought I’d be a teacher. I have a license for cosmetology which I still do some of out of my home. I did a few years of college but didn’t finish anything. Then I thought nursing, now I’m thinking IF I went back for something it would be a law degree. Nothing like continued indecisiveness eh? :)

Hugs,
Holly

By: Vicky

Vicky — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 14:59:34 +0000

Yeah, 34k a year isn’t much at all. And the real benefits– the health insurance have gotten worse.

By: Kay

Kay — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 13:48:28 +0000

Ooohhh … interesting … at least she’s not just another pretty face now.

By: Daddy Forever

Daddy Forever — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 06:10:27 +0000

That’s said a lot when your hubby is a teacher. Teachers don’t get pay a lot in Oregon either.

By: Vicky

Vicky — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 05:49:35 +0000

Greaat post! The only requirement we have for our children is to not become a teacher.

By: peepnroosmom

peepnroosmom — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 03:07:49 +0000

Perfect! If I had a girl, she would be locked in her room till she was thirty anyway.

By: Daddy Forever

Daddy Forever — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 01:59:41 +0000

Oh man, why did you bring up s-e-x? I’m not ready to deal with that yet.

By: Susan Anderson

Susan Anderson — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 23:20:08 +0000

Yeah, but imagine if they had wanted to be a male stripper. Imagine what your blog would look like then :P I think that I would encourage my girls to go after their passion. Lawyer, Artist, Stripper…I don’t care as long as they love it. My husband just screamed no to stripper over my shoulder. However, he desn’t want the girls to live in a dorm in college because of S.E.X. Dads …sheesh. LOL

By: Daddy Forever

Daddy Forever — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 20:45:28 +0000

That’s just perfect for me. The Little Princess is into arts and crafts. I guess she’ll be one of those struggling artist who will live with us for a very, very long time.

By: peepnroosmom

peepnroosmom — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 20:23:42 +0000

I really like this blog topic!
With Teenager being in high school, his career choices need to be made now. He is very interested in automotive design and engineering. I always say if you choose a profession you love and are passionate about, you will never “have to go to work” a day in your life. So I guess ask her what she is interested in and guide her from there.