As a kid, I always wanted to be a trash truck driver. The way they stand on the grid platform and hang on to a handle at the back of the truck was the coolest thing ever to me. My other dream job was to be a train conductor. Maybe once IT bleeds out and dies I'll switch to one of those.

[–] volvoxvsmarla@lemm.ee 16 points 4 months ago (1 children)

Apart from one young teenager I knew who really wanted to become a tax consultant - all kids I've ever met, be it while I was small myself or while I was tutoring or parenting - want to have "simple" jobs, hands on jobs. Ask kids on the playground and you will hear vet, doctor, and astronaut said along with trash truck driver, waiter, and cleaning lady.

It always breaks my heart that these kids grow up and learn that society gives a crap about certain jobs, be it their low social status and appreciation for their work or their pay. Sure, interests also change when you grow up, but I bet if working conditions, social appreciation and pay were right, we would have much more people happily and freely choosing "low life jobs".

PS as far as I know the teenager now has a career as a blogger focussing on queer issues with his bf in Berlin, he didn't become a tax consultant after all.

[–] alyth@lemmy.world 7 points 4 months ago

That is a beautiful observation. Kids are so pure. Sounds like your acquaintance has it made for himself!

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