Do you have to nag your teen to complete their schoolwork, do the laundry, or get up in the morning? If so, this podcast is one you both need to hear. What are those prerequisites for a long-lasting and satisfying career? Tune in to find out.

Prerequisites for a Long-Lasting and Satisfying Career ~ Episode 564

Welcome to Vintage Homeschool Moms, I’m your host, Felice Gerwitz, and today we’re continuing our discussion on AI, Tech Jobs, and Blue-Collar Workers with part two: exploring the prerequisites for a long-lasting and satisfying career. As homeschool families grounded in faith, we know the value of preparing our children not just academically, but with the character and skills that honor God’s design for work as a form of stewardship. Sometimes we feel that we are lacking, but with God all things are possible! Including the impossible. If you had a child like mine who lost their math book each day (at least once), you may wonder if she would grow up to be a welcome member of society. The good news is yes. The child in question is a college grad (in three years) and now a very organized homeschool mom of nine children who co-authored three books with me as a homeschooled teen.

It can be done, but it takes persistence, perseverance, and tenacity to follow through with your children. But what about a fulfilling work life and a long-lasting career?

My husband jokingly says that work is what you do, and it does not necessarily need to be something you love. Before college, where he received a full-ride baseball scholarship, he sold all of his carpentry tools, telling his family he would never do that again! Fast forward to post-college, and two years later, he was married to me, and he started his own construction business. He decided it was the fastest way to make a good income, so I could stay home with our children when we had them. I had a degree in education and taught middle school for two years, and I was ready to “retire.” Little did I know that I would not go back (as was the plan when I had school-aged children), and instead, I homeschooled all five children. My husband and I believe that often, a job, even if it’s not a dream job, is designed for an income to support a family. As homeschoolers, many of us moms and some dads are living in a single-income family, and with that comes budgeting and decisions on job selection based on the idea of mom staying home. As a side note, he prayed that the Lord would take away his dislike for the job and instead fill his heart with gratitude. And, God did!

Today, our topic focuses on some of the attributes necessary to find and keep a job. I believe this is something not often discussed regarding blue-collar workers, and they are every bit as important if you are considering this field as a possibility. These are the skills you need before deciding what job you might want to know more about, going on a job hunt, or even starting a job, whether it is a blue-collar or white-collar job.

1. Are you self-motivated and self-disciplined?

This is important in any career choice. (Employers look for personnel who actually show up for work, vs. those who are slack.) The person who has to be woken up to do their schoolwork or nagged to complete chores is not going to last long in a competitive job field.

• Establish daily routines in your homeschool schedule to build habits of punctuality and consistency, such as starting lessons at a set time each morning.
• Assign independent projects that require self-starting, like researching a trade skill and completing a report without reminders.
• Incorporate chores or family responsibilities that mimic job deadlines, teaching the value of reliability in blue-collar settings like construction or plumbing.

2. YouTube

Many teens and tweens use readily available, free do-it-yourself videos to get started on career selection while still homeschooling and in high school.

• Search for beginner tutorials on platforms like YouTube for trades such as carpentry basics or electrical wiring safety, and integrate them into weekly homeschool electives.
• Use free video series from conservative creators focused on practical skills, pairing them with hands-on follow-up activities at home to test what was learned.
• Track progress by creating a homeschool portfolio of completed DIY projects, which can demonstrate initiative to future employers in the trades.

3. Apprenticeship

This is one of the best ways, and it is so important when trying out a job idea, to see if you are a good fit.

• Seek local church or community-based apprenticeship programs in trades like HVAC or welding to gain supervised experience without full commitment.
• Start with short-term shadowing opportunities through family connections or homeschool co-ops to evaluate interest in blue-collar roles.
• Document reflections after each session in a homeschool journal, noting strengths and areas for growth to discern vocational calling.

4. Financials.

How much can you make in the near future, and what is the pay increase in your field? How is this going to set you up in the future to support a family or contribute to the family income?

• Research entry-level wages for trades using resources like the Bureau of Labor Statistics or conservative outlets like Fox News opinion pieces on blue-collar opportunities, to understand starting pay and growth potential.
• Create a homeschool budgeting exercise simulating future earnings in a trade, factoring in family support and biblical principles of provision.
• Explore long-term projections for job stability in skilled trades, emphasizing how consistent income aligns with stewardship and family priorities.

5. Ability to be flexible.

Many jobs require flexibility, as things don’t always go right.

• Practice adaptability in homeschool by adjusting lesson plans for unexpected changes, such as switching from indoor to outdoor activities.
• Engage in group projects through co-ops where roles shift, mirroring the dynamic nature of blue-collar teams on job sites.
• Incorporate problem-solving drills, like troubleshooting a simple home repair, to build resilience when plans deviate.

6. Ability to follow directions.

Are you teachable? This is very important, especially when working for other people. No one wants to hire a “know-it-all,” especially one who is extra talkative or wants to boss other people around. If you are new to the job, listen, take outside cues and learn. You may have your chance to be the boss at some point. Entry level is not that chance.

• Give your child tasks that emphasize step-by-step instructions, such as building models or following recipes, to hone obedience to guidance.
• Encourage feedback sessions after assignments, teaching humility and openness to correction as key to growth in trades.
• Pair with mentors in faith-based groups who model teachability, reinforcing the Biblical value of learning wisdom from others.

7. Ability to get along.

Not everyone needs to be your best friend, but getting along with others is essential in any job setting.

• Participate in homeschool co-op activities or church youth groups to practice collaboration with diverse personalities.
• Role-play conflict resolution scenarios focused on workplace harmony, drawing from Proverbs on peaceful relations.
• Foster team-based learning at home, like family service projects, to develop interpersonal skills for blue-collar crews.

8. Tenacity.

Do you have the ability to stick with or the motivation to try something and do it to the best of your ability?

• Set long-term homeschool goals, such as mastering a skill over several months, to cultivate perseverance in the face of challenges.
• Incorporate endurance-building tasks, like ongoing trade-related experiments, rewarding completion to instill grit.
• Research others, such as Mike Rowe, on the rewards of “dirty jobs.”

9. Discernment.

Trying your hardest doesn’t always mean success. Understanding your capabilities and knowing when a job is not a good fit for you.

• Teach self-assessment through homeschool evaluations, identifying strengths and weaknesses in potential trade areas.
• Discuss Biblical discernment to prayerfully consider the best career path.
• Encourage exploring multiple trade options briefly to recognize when to pivot without discouragement.

10. Believe in yourself.

Have faith in yourself that you can accomplish whatever you set your mind to, even if it is difficult and everyone else says you can’t. Ignore them and press on IF this is really what you want to do.

• Build confidence through incremental successes in homeschool challenges, affirming God’s equipping for tasks.
• Use affirmations rooted in Scripture, like Philippians 4:13, (I can do all things in him who strengthens me.) during daily devotions.
• Read or talk to others with inspiring stories. People who have overcome the odds and are successful. (Remember, success is not just monetary.)

For more on building these skills, check out our Vintage Homeschool Moms episodes like “Life Skills 101 – Life and Career Skills for Homeschoolers” and “Work Ethic with Cindy La Joy”, which offer faith-friendly insights into preparing for meaningful work.

Thanks for joining me on Vintage Homeschool Moms. Visit ultimateradioshow.com for more episodes. Until next time, take care, God bless and I’ll talk to you soon!

Listen on:

• Apple Podcasts
• Spotify
• Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network

Additional Resources:

• The Epoch Times: What Types of Jobs Will Survive the AI Revolution? – Insights on resilient blue-collar careers.
• Fox News: Forget AI, Dirty Jobs Help You Clean Up – Opinion on the value of hands-on work.
• Explore more homeschool career preparation tips on our site.

Listen to Part 1: AI, Tech Jobs, and Blue-Collar Workers

The post Prerequisites for a Long-Lasting and Satisfying Career appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.