Assigning a Blank Notebook to My Teenagers

This year I assigned a my older kids a task for their school. I gave them a blank notebook to gather ideas for jobs and careers in fields related to their interests. I got the idea after a conversation with someone who told me that he wished he had known the range of jobs available to him. When he was younger, he wanted to work at NASA. He wished that he had known that NASA had many more jobs than just astronauts. He ended up in chemistry and wished he had known that NASA hires chemists.

My 7th grader, 9th grader, and 11th grader are now gathering ideas based on what fields sound interesting. I told them that I don't care if they are interested in the specific job; I just want them to begin to explore how many different kinds of opportunities there are in fields that might be interesting.

I told them about all the jobs I noticed in the Missionary: Obeying the Great Commission documentary that I watched. I noticed that the movie required a writer, photographer, and editor. I also realized that musician had to write and record the soundtrack. A graphic designer created the opening and closing sequences.

If I think a little harder about it, the documentary required a project manager to book the travel, plan the interviews, and make sure every part of the project was on track. Someone had to design the camera and other recording equipment. Someone had to build each part. Another designer had to create the packaging. Someone had to order the DVD's. Someone else had to design the website where people can order the DVD. A marketer/salesperson has to get the word out about the movie so that churches will buy it. Most of this applies to any movie, so someone interested in working in movies would have a range of jobs that he or she could do.

It's only been a few weeks, but it's already been fun to hear the kids point out jobs or ask if something is a job. If you have a teenager, encourage them to get curious before they have to get serious.


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