Last year, my eldest teenager finished his four-year VMBO-t program and opted for commercial vehicle engineering. It caught me off guard—he'd always been passionate about economics—but I fully supported him. As a parent, I don't dictate my kids' careers. My only wish? That they find joy in their work and can put food on the table. Whether it's as a garbage collector, nurse, supermarket worker, teacher, crane operator, lawyer, painter, lab technician, or newspaper deliverer, fulfillment trumps prestige every time.
Recently, in my physiotherapist's waiting room, I overheard a young boy excitedly flipping through a construction site picture book. 'Mom, I want to be a crane operator!' he declared, pointing to a massive yellow excavator. His mother responded curtly, 'I thought you wanted to be a doctor!' Undeterred, the boy insisted on the crane. She countered with 'lawyer?' then 'pilot?' I sat there stunned, biting my tongue to avoid blurting out, 'What's wrong with being a crane operator?' Thankfully, it was my turn for therapy.
My husband works with several skilled crane operators who masterfully demolish buildings with precision and safety. Recently, a 17-year-old intern joined—a hands-on talent, not bookish. Yesterday, he aced his practical exam with a nine, grinning from ear to ear. Stories like his inspire me. We need more young people who thrive in practical roles, showing up eager every day.
Next year, my youngest will finish VMBO-T, facing exams and future decisions. During a recent sniffing internship, he rotated through office work, workshops, demolition crafts, weighbridges, and even a crane. Daily photos buzzed with excitement—he loved it all. On the final day, he messaged from the crane cab: 'I know what I want to be!' Time will tell, but as parents, we'll back him. There's nothing wrong with becoming a crane operator.
I wish I'd shared a crane operator's contact with that waiting-room mom—maybe her son could shadow for a day. Either way, I hope he pursues a career that lights him up.
