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Toronto Sun
29-05-2025
- Science
- Toronto Sun
Astronaut one day, artist the next: How to help children explore the world of careers
Published May 29, 2025 • Last updated 11 minutes ago • 5 minute read (AP Illustration / Peter Hamlin) Photo by AP Illustration / Peter Hamlin / AP Reviews and recommendations are unbiased and products are independently selected. Postmedia may earn an affiliate commission from purchases made through links on this page. NEW YORK — When Angelina Rivera was a third grader, she wanted to be a scientist and was excited by bugs, rocks and everything in the natural world. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account But a family trip to visit relatives in Honduras changed her perspective. Police stopped her family's car and aggressively questioned her father about a crime someone else committed the night before. The experience left Rivera, then 8, shaken but also realizing that people may be treated differently based on their appearance and location. Over time, that pivotal experience evolved into an interest in politics. After studying international relations in college, Rivera, now 22, works as an assistant at the Consulate General of Japan in Detroit. 'The more I tried to explore different interests(,) … I found that it was hard for me to ignore that urge, that calling, to go into diplomacy,' she said. Sometimes career paths follow a straight line, with early life ambitions setting us on a clear path to training or a degree and a specific profession. Just as often, circumstance, luck, exposure and a willingness to adapt to change influence what we do for a living. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Developmental psychologists and career counselors recommend exposing children to a wide variety of career paths at a young age. 'It's not so that they'll pick a career, but that they will realize that there's lots of opportunities and not limit themselves out of careers,' said Jennifer Curry, a Louisiana State University professor who researches career and college readiness. Sometimes children assume they can't work certain jobs because of their gender, race or background, Curry said. 'That's what we're trying to avoid, because kids do start limiting very young, like age 5,' she said. Here's what experts have to say about how to talk with kids about careers. Start young Toddlers begin making sense of occupations while visiting a pediatrician's office or waving to garbage truck crews. Encourage their curiosity by pointing out the people working at a post office or bakery, or appearing in books or on television. Your noon-hour look at what's happening in Toronto and beyond. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. You can ask young children, 'What jobs do you see? What kids of things do they do?' advised Curry, who consults on career content for the PBS show 'Skillsville,' which is geared toward children ages 4-8. Once kids identify different jobs in the community, they can try those roles while playing at home. If children enjoy pretending to be a doctor, explain that nurses, X-ray technicians and receptionists also work in hospitals. If they love building with Legos, talk about how architects, construction workers, brick masons and welders all played a part in building a certain bridge, Curry said. 'If we were to give kids lots of exposure and access, and ask them, 'What do you think of yourself in that career? It seems to me you enjoy this kind of thing,' that can really open the door for kids to see themselves and those possibilities.' Curry said. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. There are many occupations that children don't learn about in early reader books, which frequently portray police officers, firefighters or doctors. After finding no children's books about public relations, Curtis Sparrer wrote one, placing a 10-year-old at the center of the action. Sparrer, who co-founded a public relations agency, Bospar, wanted to help young readers avoid the confusion he felt growing up, when movies made him think being an actor meant flying around on spaceships. Before he found his niche in PR, he worked in television production but didn't enjoy the late-night shifts. 'Once you figure out what you really liked and why you liked it, you can really zero in on your passion,' Sparrer said. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Aside from topic interests, there are personality traits to consider. Children know from an early age whether they like to be around a lot of people or by themselves, whether they prefer using their hands or enjoy reading, according to Jobs for the Future CEO Maria Flynn. 'Very early you can start helping kids get a sense of what are they drawn to, and make that connection, how those skills and attributes show up in jobs,' said Flynn, whose nonprofit organization focus on education and workforce initiatives that advance economic opportunities. When her daughter played video games with friends, Flynn noticed strong communication skills and pointed out that providing clear direction to teammates and solving problems together were skills she could apply in future jobs. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Some high schools offer elective courses in fields like marketing, computer science and health care. They also are again investing in vocational classes such as wood shop, welding and mechanics, which fell out of fashion as school systems came under criticism for not preparing enough students for college. Meanwhile, some middle schools are offering career exploration courses. 'Really help them see — at an earlier age, even in middle school — what is the apprenticeship option? How does that work?' Flynn said. 'How does the pay work on things like that? What are different trade school options?' Some young people have questioned the value of four-year degrees because of spiraling costs, student debt loads and difficulty finding jobs. Many want to be able to earn and learn at the same time, Flynn said. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Enrollment in two-year and four-year college programs remains below where it stood before the COVID pandemic, according to the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center. By contrast, enrollment in two-year vocational programs that emphasize learning skilled trades has grown, surpassing pre-pandemic levels, the non-profit organization said. 'The public has really started to get the message about the benefits' and is seeing career and technical education as a viable option, said Catherine Imperatore, research and content director at the Association for Career and Technical Education, a nonprofit organization that advocates for career-readiness initiatives. Programs offering certificates in fields such as information technology and health care are providing another path to a stable job and decent salary, she said. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. In addition to exposing children to career routes through early conversations and school courses, experts recommend teaching children about artificial intelligence and how it is reshaping the world and work. Employers are looking for people who can leverage AI to make their workplaces more efficient, but many employees don't know how to comfortably use the technology, said Hadi Partovi, founder and CEO of a nonprofit that works to expand K-12 access to computer science education. Partovi encourages parents and teachers to help children learn about artificial intelligence at a young age. For example, they can speak with first and second graders about the benefits and drawbacks of self-driving cars, he said. Children also would benefit by learning to write computer programs, ideally when they've learned to read, although even preschoolers can learn some skills, Partovi said. If parents are unfamiliar with AI, they can learn about it alongside their children while also encouraging enduring skills such as resiliency, curiosity, collaboration and teamwork, Flynn, of Jobs for the Future, said. 'We are living in an ever-changing world, and I think it's important for kids at a young age to start getting used to the fact that things are moving and changing quickly,' Partovi said. 'Teaching kids how to harness AI is going to be the most important thing after reading and writing.' Sunshine Girls Sunshine Girls Tennis Columnists NFL
Boston Globe
24-05-2025
- General
- Boston Globe
Workers are saying ‘no' to toxic environments. Here's how to set limits or know it's time to leave.
Related : But eventually, she found a way out. When a full-time job opened up at a newspaper where she worked a part-time photography job, she resigned from the insurance agency. The new position paid $400 less per month, but Grouette reduced her expenses to make it work. Get Love Letters: The Newsletter A weekly dispatch with all the best relationship content and commentary – plus exclusive content for fans of Love Letters, Dinner With Cupid, weddings, therapy talk, and more. Enter Email Sign Up 'You can't put a price tag on it,' she said. 'It was the best 400 bucks a month I've ever spent, worth every penny. I was a little tight at first, but it didn't matter because I was happy.' Advertisement Growing intolerance of toxic behavior As mental health awareness increases, so are conversations about about what constitutes unhealthy behavior and the kinds of treatment people will not — or should not — tolerate for a steady paycheck. 'We're developing language now around things like toxic workplaces,' said Jennifer Tosti-Kharas, a professor of organizational behavior at Babson College in Massachusetts. Younger generations entering the workforce, including millennials and members of Generation Z, are less willing to endure bullying behavior from colleagues and managers, and better at establishing boundaries, she said. Advertisement At the start of her own career, 'if I encountered toxicity in the workplace, I had more of a 'Suck it up' attitude,' said Tosti-Kharas, who identifies as a member of Generation X. 'I don't think we were as vocal about taking care of our mental health as we should have been.' How do you identify a toxic work environment? Conflicts and difficult relationships may be inevitable in any work environment. But there's a difference between an occasional disagreement and persistent abuse. 'What makes something toxic: it's more pervasive, more consistent over time,' Tosti-Kharas said. 'You may have tried some things and it's not getting better. ... It's very deeply entrenched.' AP Illustration / Annie Ng/Associated Press Possible indications of an emotionally harmful workplace include a widespread lack of trust and fear of being shot down if you speak up, she said. Loud screamers aren't the only kind of toxic co-workers and supervisors. There are quieter forms of toxicity, such as passive-aggressive behavior by leaders who use sarcasm, backhanded compliments, indirect criticism and exclusion to control their employees, according to Alana Atchison, a clinical psychologist based in Chicago. 'It is a relationship where you can't communicate clearly or directly, so you have to silence yourself. You can't say truly what you need to say and feel safe,' Atchison said. To spot a potentially toxic environment when applying for a new job, follow your gut instincts and consider warning signs. For example, frequent ads for the same position may reflect high turnover resulting from a negative environment. You can also search employee reviews online. 'I'm reading Glassdoor reviews like crazy to see what the environment is like, what the culture is like, on anyplace I'm applying to, because I can't lose my hair again over a job,' said Grouette, who recently was laid off after several successful years at the newspaper. Advertisement What might explain toxic behavior? When on the receiving end of toxicity, consider whether the offending behavior says more about the person perpetuating it than the recipient. 'It's almost like a smokescreen to hide their deficits,' Atchison said. 'If someone feels insecure about their role or fears being overshadowed, they might resort to undermining others, gossiping or sabotaging projects to regain a sense of control or safety.' Since the COVID-19 pandemic, Atchison's clients have increasingly complained about toxic work environments. She attributes that in part to the social isolation that accompanied lockdowns and restrictions on public activities. 'Socializing is a skill set, and that skill set has declined,' she said. Voice your concerns If you find yourself in a toxic work situation, talking about it with a trusted friend or professional therapist can help you process what is happening and develop a plan to deal with it, instead of letting it fester in your mind. Stephanie Strausser, 42, a video production manager, said she sought support from friends and family members when she worked under an extreme micromanager who made her feel unsafe and whose decisions she considered unethical. 'Don't hide it or keep it in. Talk to people. Even if you're talking to ChatGPT,' Strausser advises those who find themselves in similar circumstances. 'Don't internalize it. And don't take someone's perception as fact.' Related : Amanda Szmuc, a Philadelphia lawyer who considers some of her past work environments to have been toxic, recommends documenting your concerns in case it becomes necessary to escalate them. Writing down the details of troubling interactions as they happen and keeping copies of inappropriate messages or approved meeting recordings may come in handy if the human resources department gets involved, for example. Advertisement Maintaining a record may also help you avoid gaslighting and reinforce your determination to protect yourself. Set boundaries If leaving a toxic environment isn't financially possible or you want to try to make your circumstances more bearable, think about exploring ways to limit your interaction with the difficult party may be an option. Possibilities may include negotiating a role that puts distance between you and the toxic person, such as working different shifts or on different projects, Tosti-Kharas said. You can also set deadlines for yourself to keep things from deteriorating, according to Szmuc. Examples: 'I'm going to give this two weeks. Is there any improvement?' she said. 'Is there a way internally where I can maybe change my circumstances or get someone else's opinion?' Find a way out Ideally, an employee who feels mistreated could appeal to someone from human resources or the offending employee's manager with evidence to show a pattern of conduct violations and disciplinary action would be taken, Tosti-Kharas said. But that doesn't always happen, leaving the reporting party in close proximity with the person they reported. 'In the real world, you may realize they are unlikely to go anywhere, and it's you who has to go somewhere,' Tosti-Kharas said. In extreme situations, it's best to look for another job, she said. Related : If an inspector found radon in your house, 'you wouldn't say, 'Let me try to work with the radon,' or 'How can I keep it there but maybe lessen the effects?'' she said. 'You would get the toxin out of the situation or you would get yourself out of the situation.' Advertisement Most people can't afford to leave their jobs without another one lined up. Carving out time to apply for different jobs is difficult when you feel under assault but also is empowering and may lead to a better situation. 'If somebody gives you an impression that you're not able to leave this job, that's just not true,' Grouette said. 'Those sorts of people don't have the reach or respect that they claim to have, because if they're volatile to you, they're volatile to others.'
