At some point in a child’s life, they eventually learn to develop their preferences, interests, and hobbies which are influenced by their environment and the people around them. One of the biggest things that concern this is of course, their dreams for the future and what their career is going to be.
Parents play a huge role in the lives of their child, and they are often whom a child looks up to or imitates. It’s inevitable that they may find inspiration from what their mother or father does, which could steer them on the same career path as they grow up. For a parent, these sentiments are often looked at with much pride and joy, knowing that it could also mean that their young one sees the importance of what they do or may find interesting. In any case, parents always want the best for their child and will support them when they can, however following in their footsteps can actually be a tricky path to navigate.
For some, following in their parents’ footsteps means that they truly see the value in the work that they do or in the business they could possibly be running and are just as passionate about it themselves if not more. On the other hand, others might be in a difficult stage of their life where they haven’t really figured out what they want to pursue, and their parents’ line of work could be a good avenue to explore and know more about. And of course, there are those families who have run a successful business and continue to flourish by passing it down onto the next generation. There is certainly a little more pressure on those who might find themselves in this position, as it isn’t just about themselves but also about keeping a family legacy intact.
However, whatever exact reason there may be for following in your parents’ footsteps, the pros and cons are more or less the same. If you’re having doubts or just need a push in the right direction, here’s a list of the positives and negatives that may help you decide.
Pros
1. Your parents are your mentors
Given their experience from the years they’ve worked in their respective fields, it’s a no brainer that they are experts at it. They know the ins and outs, and can give more relevant advice than others. They can easily be approached for advice and even feedback at no cost, and when you’re going through a rough time through it, they understand these issues better than other people do. It’s also important to note that you don’t only learn from them directly teaching you because by being in an environment where you are able to see the processes of their work, you also are able to gain a better understanding of what it’s really like.
2. Beneficial opportunities open up through your parents’ connections
You may find it easier than most to gain access to beneficial opportunities like internships, mentorships, etc. through your parents’ connections as they’ll have an easier time finding out about these since they’re more involved in the field than others. It does partly lessen the hustle for you as you don’t have to start from the ground up when building your network in the field and trying to make a name, however you will still have to work hard if you want to be trusted and recognized for your own capabilities.
3. Inherited skill sets and talents
Another factor as to why following in your parents’ footsteps could be a good move for you is because of the abilities, skills, and knowledge you may have inherited from them that could prove to be useful when working in the same career. This not only makes you well-suited for the job but it also does give you a boost in confidence knowing that you’re prepared and know what to expect.
Cons
1. Your parents might be the first to dissuade you
It’s exactly because they know a lot about their line of work that they think it wouldn’t be right for you or are just trying to convince you of the difficulties surrounding it that could hinder other areas of your life. For example, your father could be a soldier and you may want to follow in his footsteps, but he might not necessarily agree to it and even your mother may find it difficult to let you go. In such cases, parents can also be the first people to try and dissuade you from following in their footsteps. It could also mean that they might not support you at all even though they’ve allowed you to go through with it (albeit hesitantly). It’s going to be especially tough knowing that they aren’t in favour of what you want which could make things harder.
2. Expectations
Perhaps the biggest challenge comes from the expectations that other people will place on you, especially if your parents are particularly known in their field. It can be hard to live up to those expectations, and disappointments are bound to occur if they aren’t met. Depending on your situation, your parents might be the first to show their disappointment in you, while on the other hand you could be harder on yourself because of these standards that you have to meet. The pressure adds to more stress which can hinder your performance.
3. Limited exposure to other careers and fields of work
Lastly, following in your parents’ footsteps means being confined to one career path for possibly the rest of your life. You might not discover other jobs where your talents, skills, and knowledge shine the most as you’d be focusing on fitting into this one profession.
Choosing a profession isn’t the easiest decision one can make, especially when there are so many factors to consider. Whether or not you choose to follow your parents is a choice that should be based on what is best for you. Consider your hobbies, interests, skills, personality, and values when looking for the right career.
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