Paychecks are not always the motivator when teens graduate into the working world

A group of area high school students spoke clearly about what they are seeking in future employment, and it's not dominated by what they want to earn.

Among them, they are either pursuing interests they have had since they were children, following in family members' footsteps or looking for a place where they can be themselves, able to express who they are in apparel or hairstyle without adhering to rigid protocol.

Norwayne High School senior Gavin Maibach, a student in machining technologies at the Wayne County Schools Career Center, isn't primarily concerned about what he will earn when he takes a job after high school. He just wants to make sure he can take care of his future family and thinks a salary in the low six figures or high five figures should accomplish that.

An employee at Premier Building Products in West Salem, Maibach has been working at one job or another since he was 10 or 11 years old, acquiring skills to put himself in the best possible position for employability.

His passion as a machinist is being able to put back together things that are broken.

College is not on Maibach's agenda. He said the only way he would enroll is if someone paid for it, for example, a company willing to give him extra training.

Young people more savvy about money

Kristin Samson, work-based learning manager at the Career Center, described "young people today (as) so much more money savvy."

"They're conscious of how they're spending their money and want to avoid taking on debt," Samson said. They have been learning "the value of a trade-related career" despite "outdated stereotypes... associated with attending a career center."

But college can be combined well with learning a trade.

Career Center student Kierstin Skelly, a senior from Northwestern High School, placed third in electronic technology at last year's state Skills USA competition. She is studying industrial electronics and robotics and automation programs.

"I was the kid who took apart a pen and put it back together," Skelly said.

Taking advantage of training and employment at Schaeffler, Skelly plans to combine the company's co-op program with earning a bachelor's degree at the University of Akron.

She may want to move ultimately into management, encouraging internal growth and helping people grow and become better employees.

While salary isn't a top concern, Skelly definitely doesn't disregard compensation as a motivator, hoping to start out her career at an annual salary of $75,000-$80,000.

Skelly is already used to challenges, primarily because of being "the odd one out" as a female in her field.

Planning a long-term career at Schaeffler, Skelly demonstrates a commitment this generation allegedly isn't known for, according to Danielle Starlin, the Career Center's marketing and communications manager.

Starlin has heard members of this generation are suspected of being less loyal to a workplace than their predecessors.

Young job seekers put expressing themselves into the mix of employment goals

It's a little more complicated than that, in her opinion.

"I have found that this generation will continue to search for employment that's really the right fit for them," Starlin said. "They aren't willing to settle for good enough; they are thinking the big picture and want the right fit all around.

"Having the opportunity for growth and personal achievement matters just as much as pay," she said.

It's true for Maibach, who said up until now, when he had learned what he could in each job setting, he was ready to move on.

Although Jasmine Lehman's childhood dream was to be a veterinarian, the senior whose home school is Wooster High School is studying cosmetology at the Career Center.

"I want to be a hair stylist," said Lehman, whose internship with Sheer Professionals landed her a job to which she is committed.

On the other hand, when a job at a fast food establishment didn't feel comfortable to her, she switched to another, supporting Starlin's theory.

Students seek creative outlets in career choices

Lehman began to see cosmetology as a creative outlet when she took art classes. She also views the career as an opportunity for lifelong learning due to styling trends changing and additional classes being required at different levels of training for stylists.

Lehman's career choice took into account her desire to be able to express herself in her own personal style, from hair color to nails.

Apparently, that's more possible now than five to six years ago, even for people not employed in a salon.

Starlin said, "I've noticed a shift towards softening some of the restrictions regarding physical appearance, things like hair color or tattoos, formality of attire ... Things that would have once been frowned upon are becoming more acceptable in some industries.

"I think that's a direct result of young people wanting to be more expressive," she said, and who are willing to search for a company with a culture supporting it.

"Individuality and being who you are has never been more significant," Samson said, "and I believe more and more businesses are embracing this. The environment in which you work matters."

Since the pandemic, remote work is a job perk many are seeking, but not Lehman. She likes being part of a team who rely on one another.

She also believes cosmetology is a way to "change people's appearance" and make them feel better about themselves.

"I like helping people," she said.

Always a hustler, business attracts Waynedale junior

Like his Career Center classmates, Tristan Franks, a junior from Waynedale High School, took into consideration his interests when he enrolled in the business program, an area that has always been of interest to him.

"I've always been a hustler," he said, having started a lawn care business in the fifth grade. His brother has been helping him.

"I enjoy that aspect − finding what people are good at," Franks said. "I think business fits in with all of that. It's a very broad topic."

He expects to explore it further as a high school senior and when he goes to college.

Franks is willing to adapt to donning business attire at the potential expense of self-expression.

"I can express myself other ways," Franks said.

"That career path works for you," Starlin said.

Maibach said his apparel choices will be respectful.

In Skelly's opinion she can be simultaneously professional and show her personality.

"It makes you an interesting person," she said.

Starlin said, "Finding a match in terms of company culture is just as important as finding a match for their skills.”

Careers of interest: Engineering, finance, art therapy,

In February, Junior Achievement Inspire, held at the Wayne County Fairgrounds Event Center, was attended by an estimated 800 high school students from about a dozen school districts and 50 businesses. Among the participants were several students who talked about where they are headed following high school.

Brayden McFarlin, a junior at Smithville High School, attended already knowing the career path he wants to take.

His dad, an engineer, influenced his decision to pursue that field.

Compensation is a factor, he said, but more important is how much he would like to work in that field.

A disadvantage might be it is more sedentary than he would like, but the advantage is he can use his artistic abilities.

Richard Spigelmire, a sophomore at Triway High School, also was influenced in his career choice by a relative, his grandfather, who is a financial adviser.

While Spigelmire thinks he will be able to make $100,000-$200,000 a year, believing "the more I work, the more I get paid," he has another reason for his career choice.

"What it appeals to me is helping people, helping them live comfortably," and also educating them, he said.

Emilee Richards, a senior at Rittman High School, also attended Inspire.

She is headed to college at Kent State University for art therapy.

"I've liked art all my life," she said, and her intended career will embody several of her interests and skills.

For Rittman classmate, senior Charley Ullman, attending the College of Wooster will be all about combining her interests, which include psychology, theater and music.

"I don't care how much money I make," she said.

For students needing more direction for the future, options and opportunities are abundant.

Help in to 'define' what students are looking for

Career and technical education, combined with job exposure and hands-on experience, can help students "define exactly what it is that they are looking for in terms of a career," Starlin said.

At the Career Center, Samson said, students get "a step ahead... learning skills to secure fulfilling employment and very high demand fields throughout Wayne County."

The skills they are developing could turn into, if not a job, "a hobby later in life or even supplement their primary income," Samson said.

"Learning about new or evolving career fields can trigger an interest they've yet to tap into," she said, adding, "Career exploration opportunities are being introduced to students at a younger age."

Junior Achievement Inspire takes students to the next level in career exploration, said Lori McCleese, president of JA North Central Ohio, in a press release about the event.

Inspire participants were able to "engage in activities that match their interests and skills to real-world professions, gaining insights into soft skills crucial for success in the professional world," McCleese said. Additionally, they could meet with professionals in a variety of endeavors to figure out the steps to achieving their career goals.

This article originally appeared on The Daily Record: Money isn't biggest motivator for Wayne teens deciding career paths