The digital age has officially thrown a wrench into the traditional career ladder, leaving parents everywhere scratching their heads and wondering where they went wrong. Forget doctor, lawyer, engineer – kids these days want to be YouTubers, influencers, and professional viral video reviewers. In a recent interview, Interior PS Raymond Omollo, a government official and a parent, bravely waded into this chaotic territory, offering some sage advice (and maybe a few nervous chuckles).
The central dilemma? How to deal with your child suddenly announcing they want to be the next MrBeast instead of, you know, a respectable accountant. “How do we bridge that gap?” PS Omollo pondered, “where parents start to open up and see opportunities that are unconventional in terms of education?” It’s a valid question. After all, explaining to your grandma that your career goal is “going viral” is a recipe for a very awkward Christmas dinner.
Dr. Omollo, ever the diplomat, stressed that education is still really important. “I think education still remains that big thing because without it, you actually lose the entire society,” he stated. Which, fair enough. We don’t want a society run entirely by people who can only communicate in emoji. However, he also wisely acknowledged that learning isn’t just about memorizing dates and formulas anymore. Thanks to the magic of the internet, you can now get a degree from a prestigious university while wearing your pajamas.
His advice for parents? Talk to your kids. Actually listen to them. Find out why they want to spend their lives filming themselves unboxing toys or whatever it is the kids are doing these days. As PS Omollo explained, using a very relatable personal anecdote: “I am a scientist, so why would I want my son or my daughter or my nephew or my niece to also be a scientist? Part of it will be maybe they need to look at how I do my things, how I carry myself, and then they were like, ‘Okay, I would want to be like you,’ or ‘I would want to be like so and so.’ And from there, then you can have a conversation on what it takes to get there.” So, basically, if your kid wants to be like you, you’re doing something right (or very, very wrong).
PS Omollo also gave a shout-out to educational institutions for trying to keep up with the times. They’re adding more practical learning, which is good news for anyone who’s ever wondered when they’d actually use algebra in real life. The goal, he says, is to let talented kids pursue their passions while still, you know, getting some kind of actual education.
But here’s the bottom line: while being open-minded is key, PS Omollo also emphasized the importance of parental guidance. “Not everything a child says we just have to accept it because the world has changed,” he wisely cautioned. “We must be able to insist on certain things, but with some level of measure.” So, maybe don’t let your kid drop out of school to become a professional video game streamer just yet. Unless, of course, they’re really good. Then, maybe… just maybe… you can start looking into sponsorship deals.
