There can be few more rewarding ways to invest in our future than providing inspiration to the next generation.
The chances are, however, most of us can’t do it in song. Just like the late, great Whitney Houston, we may long to “teach our children well and let them lead the way”, but with a voice like X Factor’s Wagner, it might come down to a day job.
The good news is, if the difference between a good job and a really great day job is the satisfaction we get from work, helping kids lead happy and fulfilling lives is up there with being Mark Zuckerberg’s accountant.
Moreover, when it comes to careers involving children, the choice is huge.
Education, Health, Social Care, Law, Charities and Sport – all of these may be the most obvious child-centred sectors but there are also opportunities in Business, Publishing, Architecture (someone has to design all those school buildings and playgrounds) and, last but not least, ladies and gentlemen, the world of Entertainment.
They may be some of the hardest jobs out there – demanding a huge amount of energy, patience and sensitivity – but the rewards can be huge too.
And we don’t just mean those bouquets, bottles and boxes of chocs showered on Nursery Managers!
The starting point for working with children is to decide exactly how you want to help.
Yes, you want to instil in them a love of learning? Support their emotional and physical wellbeing? Help them overcome challenges? Look after their rights?
But, also, there’s the question of age.
If you want to work with babies and young children, suitable careers might include Paediatric Nurse, Health Visitor, Early Years Practitioner, Primary Teacher or Childminder.
If you see yourself as more suited to helping older children and teenagers, however, there is a similarly varied range of suitable occupations, including Youth Worker, Secondary School Teacher or, for the get-up-and-go active sort, Sports Coach.
Some jobs cover the whole age range, right from babyhood to late teens.
As a Speech and Language Therapist, for example, you could help a young child with speech difficulties for many years.
So, too, a Child Psychologist might support a youngster with behavioural and emotional challenges from their early years right into their late teens.
There are some jobs where the work doesn’t stop when you leave the office. Being a Foster Carer, Nanny or Childminder, for instance.
Foster Carers and Childminders really do have to love children and, as for being house proud, forget it – you’re going to have to be comfortable in an environment that sports fruit juices and mashed-up banana on the floors and walls.
Of course, there are jobs where children are not exclusive – such as being a Librarian. Here you get to work with the grown-ups, too, but the best bit is introducing little ones to the delights of books without the hard work – such as reading the same book of nursery rhymes to the twins every night – yes, every night! – for a year.
And, remember, unlike some professions that fade in importance or even disappear due to economics or technological innovations, there will always be children to teach, help, inspire and protect.
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