accomplishing great things

One of my third grade kiddos asked me yesterday during a lesson on pronouns: "Should people be able to achieve great things without formal schooling?"  Usually unrelated questions aren't that cute or substantial!  We talked about it during snack time, and they asked me how people get jobs, what the best job is (a really good attention getter...everyone sat up a little straighter), and which makes the most money.  Money still makes the world go round, I think a lot more consistently than love or music does.

The whole conversation reminded me of how little that kids really know about finding a job or career, where they're expected to end up, like being required to work hard at making something but having no idea what it looks like.  Some with a clearer idea than others, which is great!  Since everyone needs a first love and a little idealism.  Some of my kids want to be artists or scientists, but they don't know they can't be an umbrella term like that.  I think it's the nature of life to figure out things along the way, but it gets complicated with things like expensive college tuition and time, which aren't sympathetic and won't soften to your cause.