“Which Career Will Make My Child Happy and One They Will Like?”
In the last 11 years of my work at Holistree working with more than 4000+ students, I have understood something very significant about career decisions. When parents and children start the career journey, they often ask:
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“Which career will make my child happy and one they will like?”
At first, this seems like the most logical question. After all, every parent wants their child to enjoy their work and lead a fulfilling life. But over the years, I have seen how this question can actually misguide them—leading to confusion, unrealistic expectations, and, at times, unnecessary disappointment.
Let me explain why—and what you should ask instead.
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Why Happiness Shouldn’t Be the Starting Point :
Children are in a stage where they are still exploring who they are and what they want. Regardless of which career they choose, they will go through ups and downs, fears, insecurities, and challenges.
Many parents assume that if their child is struggling, the career is wrong. But in reality, the career is just a trigger—it brings out their personal growth struggles that they would have faced in any field.
Through my experience, I have seen that happiness in a career doesn’t come at the start. It is something that develops over time as a person:
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• Learns how the real world works
• Builds relevant skills
• Overcomes challenges
• Adapts to different situations
Instead of trying to find the perfectly happy career from day one, what’s more important is choosing a path that is functional and executable right now.
The Right Question to Ask Instead
Rather than asking, “Which career will make my child happy and one they will like?”, ask:
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“Which career is the most functional and executable for my child right now?”
A functional career is one that:
✔️ Matches their current skills and strengths
✔️ Provides exposure to real-world experiences
✔️ Allows them to grow and adapt
✔️ Opens doors for future transitions
✔️ Takes Care of Survival & provides space to express
Through my work, I have seen that when children take small, practical steps in a functional career, they naturally start to find alignment and fulfillment—not because they picked a “happy” career but because they grew into it.
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Why “Liking” a Career Can Be Misleading
Another common concern is: “My child should like their career.”
But over the years, I’ve seen how liking a career is much more complicated than it seems.
A profession is not just about the core activity—it also involves:
• Dealing with different personalities and work environments
• Handling pressure, uncertainty, and responsibility
• Navigating industry demands and unexpected challenges
Your child might enjoy one aspect of a career, but the reality of working in that field might feel very different. Instead of focusing on whether they like it from the start, help them take small, functional steps toward making it work for them.
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Career Growth Is a Long-Term Process
Rather than searching for an instant “perfect” career, I have seen that the best approach is to start with a functional choice. As children build resilience, skills, and adaptability, they will eventually find alignment and fulfillment—not just in their career, but in life.
So, let’s stop asking what will make them happy right now, and start asking what will help them grow into happiness over time.
