[fma]

The survey was very interesting... #1 aspirational career in China being astronaut and the US being influencer.

I have a 1st grader and one day she said she wants to be youtuber when she grows up. She learned this from her peers.

Prior to this answer, she wanted to be a doctor.

I asked her what happened to being a doctor, and she says, she can be both (thank goodness, probably the best answer I can wish for).

[no_wizard]

How is this different from the past where people wanted to be actors on TV and/or movies?

When I was growing up I remember some said they wanted to be Barbie, or GI Joe.

Cultural influence will always be a “thing” as it were. Doesn’t mean it stays a primarily thing or wha t have you. I don’t think it says anything meaningful about someone’s future per se

[fma]

My point isn't about the career choice. My point is many parents, and probably many more here on HN, may think they can avoid TikToks influence because they don't use it. However it's moot since their peers will have influence, and it starts as young as 1st grade.

[yawpitch]

Not sure I like to speak truth to 1st graders, but the days of YouTube influencer being something you could aspire to are kind of over.