Parents in the Trades: Has AI Changed the Career Talk You're Having With Your Kids?

Question

A few years ago, the AI convo was mostly about which white-collar jobs might disappear.
Now?? Parents are starting to see the trades as one of the safer bets.&nbsp;

If you're a parent working in the trades, has that shifted how you talk to your kids about the possible career choices in the home service industry?

Turns out AI is making the trades more appealing, not less.That's one of the bigger findings in Jobber's new report!Worth a read 👉&nbsp;Annual Blue Collar Report

roselvaggio · Answer

Our two teenagers have both gotten a different perspective from us regarding college- one wants to be a video editor and the other wants to be a lawyer. With AI getting smarter by the days, we've been stressing different avenues due to the unpredictability of these roles in the coming years! (Crazy how I stopped at nothing to create the possibility for my kid to even think of law school! LOL)

pestfreecanada · Answer

I am building my business to leave for my children. Every day I think about what I will leave for them, when I am ankle deep in rat droppings, crawling under a filthy deck, in a hot sweaty attic or 40 feet up on a ladder. It is all for them. I don't think jobs in finance, technology, advertising, education or retail is going to last for their generation. Those jobs are proving quickly to be obsolete with the onset of massive computing power and AI.

The youth who have spent their formative years glued to their phones have no real life skills anymore, and they need people like the us in this community to do all the things they can't. I want my kids to have their summer jobs with me, learning the ins and outs of the business and let them build up off the foundation I created. I want them to see what a good mindset, amazing customer service and a pair of skilled hands can do.

tpsd · Answer

I really appreciate your perspective on this. My wife and I have four children, and balancing family life can be challenging—especially while I’m working a full-time job and also building a business that I hope will eventually become my full-time career. Some days we feel like we’re balancing everything well, and other days we’re simply doing the best we can. 😂

I love seeing parents support their children’s dreams while also helping them think realistically about the future. AI is changing so quickly that it’s understandable to wonder what certain careers may look like years from now. At the same time, I think we have to let children be children, encourage the gifts and interests they already have, and guide them as opportunities and technology continue to evolve. A supportive parent who listens, teaches, and helps them adapt may be one of the greatest advantages they can have.

mims01 · Answer

I think this is an important shift. The trades gave many people the opportunity to build a career, a business, and a future. With the right mindset and willingness to learn, the next generation can use technology like AI as a tool while still mastering valuable skills that will always be in demand. 🚀

mims01 · Answer

I love that you're supporting their dreams while helping them think realistically about the future. Whether they become a video editor, a lawyer, or something completely different, having parents who encourage them to grow and prepare for change is one of the greatest advantages they can have.

Wishing both of them the best as they chase their goals, it'll be exciting to see where their paths lead!

Forum Discussion

Parents in the Trades: Has AI Changed the Career Talk You're Having With Your Kids?

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