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Future Jobs & Skills — What Will You Be in 2035?

We’re excited to launch the Thinkster Learning Lab — where we hold FREE, expert-led webinar sessions for students & parents!

Our first live session kicks off this Thursday, May 22, at 6:30 PM EST, with a talk from Dr. Aimee Lintner.

Click below to save your spot for this session — and explore upcoming events your child can join!

The Summer Side Hustle – A New Way to Learn (and Earn)

The "summer side hustle" is officially in — and it’s about more than just making a few extra dollars. Whether it’s selling digital art on Etsy or editing videos with AI tools, these creative ventures give kids a powerful head start on skills they’ll use for a lifetime.

Financial literacy, time management, digital communication, problem-solving, and even marketing — these are real-world capabilities your child can develop while doing something they actually enjoy.

Top platforms kids and teens are exploring:

• Etsy – Selling handmade goods, art prints, or digital downloads (like planners, stickers, or templates) helps build product development and customer service skills.

• YouTube Shorts & TikTok – Learning to script, film, edit, and grow an audience teaches digital storytelling, consistency, and creative thinking — plus there’s potential ad revenue and creator funds.

• Fiverr & Upwork – For older kids (13+ with parent supervision), offering services like video editing, writing, or graphic design introduces them to freelancing, professionalism, and client communication.

• Canva + ChatGPT – These tools make it easy to design logos, create marketing content, or draft video scripts, sharpening both tech fluency and creative expression!

Why it’s powerful:

These ventures aren't just “kid businesses” — they’re safe, structured ways to:

• Foster independence and ownership

• Practice budgeting, pricing, and customer interactions

• Build resilience through trial, error, and iteration

• Link passions (gaming, drawing, storytelling) with purposeful outcomes

• Spark future career interests — from digital media to entrepreneurship

Getting started safely:

Parents play a key role in making this experience positive and protected. Here’s how to support your child:

• Set up accounts together — Always be the co-manager of any online profiles or platforms. Use your email, read the terms of service, and check age requirements.

• Talk about privacy and boundaries — Make sure your child understands what is and isn’t okay to share online.

• Discuss money management — Whether it's a few dollars or more, use it as a teachable moment about saving, taxes, and reinvesting earnings.

• Keep it fun and low-pressure — Let them try something, evaluate, and pivot if it doesn’t click. The goal is to learn, not to “go viral.”

💡 Pro Tip: Start small. Help your child brainstorm ideas that combine their personal interests with valuable learning outcomes — whether it's creating fan art, recording a mini-podcast about their favorite books, or offering simple digital services to friends and family.

Raising Entrepreneurs, Not Influencers

Let’s be real—making money online can be great, but not every digital venture needs to go viral. Here’s how to help your child find purpose, not pressure:

✅ Set “business hours” with screen boundaries
✅ Celebrate progress, not just performance or likes
✅ Talk openly about online safety, scams, and age restrictions
✅ Use platforms together until they build independence

🎯 Bonus tip: Co-create a “Digital Hustle Agreement” with your child that outlines goals, limits, and safety rules.

Unplug Without the Eye Roll

Yes, kids love their screens — especially when they’re using them to create, build, or grow something of their own. But even the most motivated young digital hustlers need time to reset.

Downtime isn’t a distraction from learning; it’s essential for creativity, mental clarity, and emotional well-being. Unplugging gives the brain space to reflect, process, and recharge — and helps prevent burnout, especially when kids are spending more hours on devices than ever.

Parents can help make this reset intentional and refreshing by building in screen-free moments that feel rewarding, not restrictive.

Ideas to try this summer:

• Nature challenges – Try a “no phones” walk with a scavenger hunt, birdwatching, or photo-free exploring. It reconnects kids with the outdoors and boosts mindfulness.

• Journaling goals and ideas – Encourage your child to unplug and reflect on their business goals, future dreams, or lessons learned from their side hustle.

• Screen-free hours – Tie designated unplugged time to personal milestones, like completing a project, learning a new skill, or even a daily walk or chore routine.

• Tech-Free Tuesdays – Set aside one day a week for offline creativity: drawing, cooking, building, or exploring something new — no screens required.

These small habits can go a long way in teaching balance, something even adults struggle to find in a hyper-connected world.

It’s not about avoiding technology.

It’s about creating space to think, breathe, and grow beyond the screen.

Last week, we asked: “In a world where AI might reshape the job market, what do you think will matter most for your child’s future success?”

The results are in — and one response stood out.

🟩 Top response: Strong communication, creativity & critical thinking skills (8 votes)
🟨 College degree from a top school (2 votes)
🟨 Certifications, online courses, or micro-credentials (2 votes)
⬜️ A strong portfolio of real-world projects (0 votes)
⬜️ A well-developed network and social capital (0 votes)
⬜️ Other (1 vote)

While most parents pointed to essential soft skills like communication and critical thinking, there’s value in all of these options.

The world is changing — and fast. That means no single path guarantees success. What truly matters is helping your child gain skills, experiences, and confidence that expand their worldview and equip them to adapt, create, and lead in the future.

More than ever, raising capable humans means focusing not just on what they know, but on how they think, connect, and grow.

We’re asking parents like you to share their thoughts on topics that matter each week! Cast your vote and see what others think! We’ll chat more about the results next week. 👀

1. Canva – Design stunning graphics, logos, presentations, and more. Great for creative exploration!

2. Notion – An all-in-one tool for organizing ideas, setting goals, journaling, or planning a business. Great for productivity and executive functioning.

3. Duolingo – Learning a new language could be the side hustle boost your child didn’t know they needed, especially for global creators.

4. TinkerCad – For 3D design, prototyping, and early product development. Great for kids interested in inventing or creating physical goods.

5. Soundtrap by Spotify – A digital audio workstation perfect for kids who want to produce music, podcasts, or audio ads for their brand.

6. Pixton – A comic and avatar creation platform, great for storytelling or even social media posts!

7. Miro – A visual tool that’s great for brainstorming business ideas, mind-mapping, and planning.

Until Next Week…

Summer is the perfect time for kids to explore, create, and grow beyond the classroom. Whether it’s launching a small business, learning to manage screen time, or building skills that will prepare them for an ever-changing world, every experience shapes their confidence and future success.

We’re here to support you every step of the way — helping you raise curious, capable, and resilient humans ready to take on whatever comes next.

Thanks for being part of the Raising Humans community. We’re so glad you’re here.

❤️ Loved this issue? Have thoughts, questions, or topic ideas?

Share your vote below or drop us a note at [email protected].