Unusual Careers for Grads
April 28, 2021
Gena Suarez
Look to the Future
Sherri Seligson
Unusual Careers for Your Unique Students
Beth Mora
It’s No Surprise
Dan Beasley
Lifelong Learners: Pillar of Future
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Hey, Mama!
Look to the Future
Hey Mama,
Those little stinkers are driving you batty this morning. They can be so devious at times and LOUD. They don’t care about all the sacrifices you have made (and continue to make daily for them) because they have nothing to compare it to. No life experience. No wisdom to speak of. So they carry on with their ridiculous childish attitudes and you wait, patiently, for the Lord to do His work in them. You continue to pray that God will do that work, and you know He is faithful . . . so you keep on.
But some day they’ll grow up, find a job, get a career, fall in love, get married, and have children of their own: so now they have their own little stinkers. Funny how that works.
Today, in the trenches, it’s hard to look to the future, but it is coming, Mama. Some day your kids will be past this silly stage and looking to make their own mark in this world, and Lord willing, will be courageous warriors for Him. He has great plans for them.
When that day comes, and they need help finding their chosen career or life’s calling, you’ll be standing ready to guide them, just like you’ve always been. So Mama, let the pages of The Old Schoolhouse® Magazine help you.
Finding Your Passion by Exploring Career Options by Matthew Billings Careers in the Kitchen by Jacqueline Warner
Chocolatey Careers by Julie Engelhardt
A Farrier is a Great Career Option by Felicia Johnson
And remember, Mama . . .
You are part of The Mama Club, and it’s a harried and fast-paced life.
You fiercely defend your children; you’d never turn back now. The commitment is there, but the feelings don’t always follow. That’s OK. Don’t put your stock in feelings. Go with what you know is real because feelings wane. They ebb and flow. They are useful tools, but they are not our guide. You know Who your Guide is, and you’ll find all that you need in His Word.
Keep in mind, this, too: that little stinker (whether he/she is 4 or 14) will grow up someday. Fast forward fifteen years. Oh, what a difference! Chances are, they will all be coming over this week for Sunday dinner 15 years from now, your grandbabies in tow. And you all will be laughing and reminiscing over the antics THEY themselves put you through “back in 2021” when you were tempted to sign them up for the yellow school bus. But that’s not going to happen, is it, Mama? God has put you on this path, and you are faithful to stay the course . . . faithful to Him, consistent and stable. He gives us what we can handle.
Joy comes in the morning. The faithful Christian will have trials. But the child of God who walks in obedience to Christ has great blessings waiting for them. And God has a way of showing us that, doesn’t He? Count your blessings (the daily ones and your little ones sitting in your backseat). Look at His hand in your life even amidst the painful or stress-filled episodes, the episodes you think you’re going out of your mind with . . . all their chatter and fussing. Does He not always come through?
Mama, Child of God, Daughter of the King, His hand is on your head. Now and always. Think about your future—think about your kids’ futures; He has big plans for you all. And they are GOOD.
– gena
Sherri Seligson
Unusual Careers for Your Unique Students
Each student is uniquely designed by God. This means that their career path will look unique, too. Parents have the wonderful perspective to help their teens explore potential career paths that best fit their skills and interests . . . and there are some fun possibilities! Here are a few unusual ones that fall within “traditional” categories:
Psychology/Therapy
Students can explore the traditional role of becoming a counselor, but within this field there are also animal therapists, art therapists, music therapists, and more. These careers help a person’s overall well-being, development, or healing process using different forms of expression or interaction. Many of these careers require clinical training and studio or practical training. For example, there are folks who work with horses (hippotherapy) and children with physical impairments to build muscle development. Art therapists use their psychology degree and their art interest for assessments, treatments, and research.
Medical
Careers in this field can include nutritionist, nurse-midwife, doula, and athletic trainer. Some of these require formal university degrees, but others involve on-the-job training or certifications.
Technology
Besides the traditional IT and software technicians, there are many more unique careers such as a mobile app or website developer. Did you know that there are even folks who are ethical hackers? They are paid to legally hack into companies’ computer networks to find any weaknesses. There are many certification courses in this rapidly-developing field.
Just Plain Interesting
Some careers are just fascinating to explore, such as the field of meteorology which studies the atmosphere and its effects on earth. Marine biologists are not just folks who swim with dolphins. They also work with offshore oil companies and fisheries to advise them on sustainability. And how about working for the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA)? These careers involve collecting foreign intelligence and working with government officials. Studying classified data and using problem-solving abilities, agents work in teams to identify subjects that range from potential threats to economic issues.
Have conversations with your teens about things that they like to do and where their passions lie. Think about which school subjects or extracurricular activities they enjoy. Then help them identify the skills involved in all of those areas. Next, it is time to brainstorm. Discuss career possibilities that align with their abilities and passions. And think outside the box! Unconventional ingenuity and creative thinking are common to homeschoolers who have more time to explore their interests and look for a career path that best fits their unique abilities.
Sherri Seligson is a 21-year homeschool veteran and marine biologist. She has authored Apologia’s General Science and Marine Biology courses as well as the instructional videos for all upper level sciences. An international conference speaker, Sherri encourages moms and teaches families the value of studying God’s Creation. Connect with her on social media and at sherriseligson.com.
Beth Mora
It’s No Surprise
There are a lot of uncommon careers out there, and most meet the criteria for a great career: not immoral or illegal and a salary that will enable one to live on their own and raise a family. So, there’s a lot of wiggle room for the unusual.
For those students who have no problem envisioning a future that requires an explanation, you have a unique role. These students need your support. It’s time to shelve your inner naysayer, and it’s time to make a list of the opportunities your student needs to investigate the possibilities. After all, the high school years are one big brainstorming session that requires trying lots of different options and refraining from premature judgments. Each exploratory journey helps your child build valuable skills for the next. I can assure you, your student’s newly acquired skills are never wasted. It’s a wild ride. Trust the journey and your child’s Creator that He will get your child where he or she needs to be.
But what about the student who has no clue that unusual careers exist? It’s time to start making an extensive list of these obscure opportunities. Do it as a family, and post it where all can see the growing list. Add the low, median, and top salary to each entry. You might want to assign a writing prompt where your student chooses an unusual career on the list, researches the job, and records what a day in the life looks like for someone who works in the profession.
It has been said that the riches are in the niches. It’s no surprise that our homeschool high schooler can imagine out-of-the-box careers. We raised them that way! We taught them to explore unique answers to ordinary problems. In the last miles of your homeschool journey, stay the course and encourage your student to try on a few atypical vocations.
Beth Mora, creator/teacher-on-camera for Here to Help Learning’s Homeschool Writing Program (grades 1-6) and homeschool conference and women’s events speaker, loves to blog at Home to Home. She serves up HTHL’s Writing Tip of the Week for those teaching their kiddos to write. Everything she does, whether laughable or heart gripping, is done to honor One. God’s grace is the salve that has healed her own life and is what she offers liberally to others.
Dan Beasley
Lifelong Learners: Pillar of Future
The older I get, the smaller my K-12 education experience appears in the rear-view mirror. Yet its impact is just as vivid today as when I finally received that high school diploma signed by Mom and Dad (yes, I was homeschooled through high school). Its impact was foundational not only because of the knowledge I acquired but because of the drive to never stop learning that it instilled.
Commencement speakers will no doubt tell graduating seniors across the country that this important milestone is just a stepping-stone, but that message is surreal to 17- and 18-year-olds surrounded by friends, cake, and cash-filled graduation cards.
Homeschooling parents have a unique opportunity to focus on inspiring this longer-term vision throughout their child’s educational journey.
The benefits of homeschooling don’t only show up on report cards, transcripts, or college readiness tests. The ability to tailor an educational experience to a child’s unique needs and goals, for example, can have a long-lasting effect beyond the classroom: it can spark vision and a love for learning that doesn’t fade as the years pass by.
I hope homeschoolers everywhere will value the joy of learning regardless of what their next step happens to be.
Does your child love art? Peruse the various styles of art classes from pencil drawing to painting. Do you have an avid reader? Take a look at the literature-based courses. Do you have a passion for the Charlotte Mason method of education? Many Charlotte Mason-style courses are available with a membership. SchoolhouseTeachers.com is unique because it provides options for every subject! Each grade has several history options, a variety of math options, and a plethora of electives! For a limited time, use code: OUTSIDE to pay only $179 (reg. $224.97) for an Ultimate Annual Membership to SchoolhouseTeachers.com. Purchase a membership during the Get Outside and Homeschool Sale and receive a free insulated 4 Pillars Tote! (New members only. No refunds. Totes are publisher’s choice and US only.) One membership gives you access to all available courses and content.
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History by Mail
History by Mail
History is fascinating, and teaching my kids real history is an essential part of our homeschool. Whenever I can add an element to enhance history, I try to add that extra allure to capture their imagination to the past. History by Mail is a unique way for your kids to learn about history. There is just something special about holding a piece of history in your hands and seeing the documentations yourself that makes history come alive.
History by Mail is a subscription mail service that mails you historical replicas of documents and letters from our rich American heritage. The focus is on American history with some historical events outside of America that may be relevant to the historical themes and enhance learning about our history.
My daughter could not wait to see what shows up each month. Every letter that we received she wanted to see if she could find out more about the history and people behind the document. We would dig deeper into each historical topic and/or the people within the documents.
History by Mail would make a wonderful gift for someone who loves history and a homeschool family. This is a fun and educational way for younger kids to learn more history from various sources. Older students could use the topics for a research paper, biographies, and other writing assignments. There is a lot that you could do with History by Mail to enhance your homeschool. Make history come alive as you dive into historical documents and letters.
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