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What are some career options (other than teaching) for people who like interacting with children and adolescents?
I like interacting with children & adolescents, but am not particularly interested nor skilled in teaching. What career options are out there that can serve/interact with children other than teaching?
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Kiersten’s Answer
What *are* you skilled at? What do you enjoy doing in your free time?
If you like sports or the outdoors, you could work at a gym (big facilities like the YMCA, but also individual businesses like dance studios or gymnastics centers) or camp.
If you're interested in science, you could be a pediatrician, nurse, therapist, or other pediatric medical professional.
If you like animals, you could work at an aquarium, zoo, natural history museum, or national park.
If you like history, you could work at a history museum, national park, or historical reenactment site.
If you like to read, you could be a children's librarian.
If you're religious, you could be a youth minister.
If you're good at making connections with people and asking good questions, you could be a college counselor or therapist.
For almost any area of interest, you could work at a related museum or after school/extracurricular program.
If you just want to spend time with kids in a more playful way, you could work at a daycare, after school care program, or children's museum, or be a nanny.
If you like sports or the outdoors, you could work at a gym (big facilities like the YMCA, but also individual businesses like dance studios or gymnastics centers) or camp.
If you're interested in science, you could be a pediatrician, nurse, therapist, or other pediatric medical professional.
If you like animals, you could work at an aquarium, zoo, natural history museum, or national park.
If you like history, you could work at a history museum, national park, or historical reenactment site.
If you like to read, you could be a children's librarian.
If you're religious, you could be a youth minister.
If you're good at making connections with people and asking good questions, you could be a college counselor or therapist.
For almost any area of interest, you could work at a related museum or after school/extracurricular program.
If you just want to spend time with kids in a more playful way, you could work at a daycare, after school care program, or children's museum, or be a nanny.
Kiersten recommends the following next steps:
This was super helpful, thank you!!
Aly
Updated
Sonja’s Answer
There are so many ways to have a meaningful impact when it comes to working with children/adolescents and giving back to the community. I'd suggest taking the time to best understand what you are skilled at and then try looking into options that work within your skillset. Even if your day-to-day position or career is not 100% revolving around kids and adolescents, many careers offer the opportunity to take part in volunteer and giving opportunities that could allow you to make the impact you are seeking. No matter what you do or what your employer supports, there will always be plenty of opportunity available in the community - find a sport or talent you like/are good at and coach, find a local group that advises youth and volunteer, volunteer at a local food pantry, check in for giving opportunities, donate clothes and drive fundraising opportunities to support children in need, look for ways you can support local schools. Start with what you can do now and if you aren't sure what you can do, starting with volunteering and giving your time and support can help orient you toward what it is that you are most passionate to continue forward with. A career can be whatever you make it! Don't be afraid to create your own lane and just try many opportunities.
Updated
Sam’s Answer
To interact with children and adolescents, you can either become a mental health counselor or personal well-being trainer or even a psychologist. These are people who interact with people across ages on a daily basis. You can understand more about a person, share your experiences and knowledge to see how you can help them as well.
This was super helpful, thank you!
Aly
Updated
Iker’s Answer
Social Worker, counselling or academic advisor, working as a caretaker in a health facility for children, working in NGOs focussing on children.
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Natalia’s Answer
I would also consider looking into becoming a BCBA or therapist for children with different needs/abilities.