Kids Say The Darndest Things

At the request of McCulloch Intermediate School teacher Lauren Luster, reporter Bradford Pearson and I discussed journalism with separate groups of fifth-graders last Tuesday. The toughest question I got from the first-period students was “Is your job hard?” (Short answer: “Yes, but I enjoy it.”) But a kid in second period fired this fastball at Brad: “How much money do you make?”

After assuring a horrified Ms. Luster that everything was OK, Brad came up with this diplomatic answer: “Less than all of your parents.” He then advised the kids that, if they choose to follow his career path, it would be wise to follow in his footsteps in another way: propose to a lawyer.

By Dan Koller Oct. 24, 2011 | 9:04 am | 7 Comments | Comments RSS
7 comments to "Kids Say The Darndest Things"
  1. Rodknee @ October 24, 2011 at 1:51 pm
    Mr. Pearson’s response, though off the cuff as it was, seems inappropriate. Rather than discouraging a career in journalism by spouting he makes less than their parents, and advising them to marry up, wouldn’t he better serve those students by telling them a salary range and explaining that there’s more to a career than a big salary?
    Many HPISD kids already grow up with a skewed sense of financial reality, professionals who have the opportunity to speak with them should try to emphasize the less tangible benefits of their chosen profession.

  2. XT @ October 24, 2011 at 3:29 pm
    Lighten up, Rodknee. They’re 5th graders. I thought his response was funny (and true).

  3. A. B. @ October 24, 2011 at 3:34 pm
    Yes, but those. are. the ninety-nine percent! Art majors, from what I gather, make up about 99% of the 99 % . Journalists make up the remainder.

  4. CommDegree @ October 24, 2011 at 5:40 pm
    Can you imagine the absolute horror/confusion an HPISD alum would feel upon receiving their first paycheck as a journalist? “OMG! This is less than the allowance I got in fifth grade!”

  5. sls @ October 24, 2011 at 5:56 pm
    I figure I’m probably one of only half a dozen or so adults over the age of 25 in the Park Cities that doesn’t have at least one college degree. My solution? I married well. I think it’s a great answer, Mr. Pearson!

  6. HP Mom of 5 @ October 24, 2011 at 6:56 pm
    Wow, no critique from me. I appreciate both Mssrs. Pearson and Koller for their continued support of our schools and kids! I like the child for asking the tough, even if – or not- inappropriate question, because at that age (and any age), perhaps money is a driving force for career choice. Plus, I bet both our local journalists covered why they love job and the attending less tangible benefits of the profession. Having worked 80+ hours a week in a big firm with a newborn (I loved seeing the back of her sleeping head every day when I got home from work), a more flexible career choice, albeit one with its own deadlines, sounds pretty good.

  7. upmom @ October 25, 2011 at 10:10 am
    I agree with Rodknee. Bradford, playing into stereotypes doesnt help. Encouraging kids to follow their passions does. You are very young – probably by the time you are a 55 year old parent (yes, some of us 5th grade parents are on the downside of 50) you will have saved and worked hard and you may even have started your own business. Dont disparage the parents who have put in years and year of hard work to be here in this place.

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