6 Jobs Almost Every Malaysian Parent Would Disagree Their Kids Doing

When we were younger, we’d be inevitably asked the question, “What do you want to be when you grow up?”

Of course, being the little kids that we are – we would have an idea. Most of the time, we’d have more than one even!

But every Malaysian kid would have gone through that moment when our parents think the career we chose wasn’t really the right one for us. And these are some of the usual ones (which most of us can relate to):

1. Artist (Painter, Designer, Sculptor etc)

What parents usually say: “This type of job can not earn money lah.”

And it didn’t help that Malaysia has this whole stereotype where smart students go to the Science stream class, while Art stream is for the ‘bad’ students.

Here’s how they probably imagined us:

Little did they know that artists have creative minds that most ordinary people do not even possess. These amazing minds should not be oppressed either! I mean, just look at Datuk Jimmy Choo!

2. Professional gamer

What parents usually say: “That’s not a real job! Gaming won’t earn you money!”

Gaming runs deep within some of our veins, DOTA 2, Counter Strike, LOL, you name it. And a lot of us dreamt of getting paid while doing it. I mean who doesn’t want that right?? But until today, a lot of people deem gaming to be not a ‘real’ job.

However, multiple Malaysians broke that stereotype, especially when gaming tournaments reward VERY handsomely. The highest earning DOTA 2 players in Malaysia are ChuaN, Mushi, and Ohaiyo with approximately an RM2 million, RM1.6 million and RM400k win respectively!

What we’d do just to be them!

3. Chef/Baker

What parents usually say: “You’ll be slaving over the stove all day. Plus, there’s no good money to be made in that industry.”

Being a culinary/pastry chef seems great. You get to beautifully prepare those mouth-watering dishes, not to mention taste them as well. It’s practically like creating magic with your own hands.

Unfortunately, our parents probably think we end up in some kedai tepi jalan/hawker stall.

However, Chef Wan, Chef Martin Yan, Chef Florence (who’s also the international ambassador for Nyonya food for the Malaysian Tourism Board), and many more definitely proved this thinking wrong!

Plus, no Malaysian will ever complain that there’s too much food!

4. Media personality (Radio DJs, TV presenter/host etc)

What parents usually say: “No good lah. When you’re old, no one will hire you anymore, and you’ll have no job.”

But to us, these people always seem to have it great – from talking about music, presenting at the Grand Prix to interviewing famous celebrities! Not to mention hot chicks 😉

5. Athlete/Sportsman

What parents usually say: “That’s not a real job! You cannot earn money from playing sports!”

Sports is only regarded as a past-time for parents, and should never become a career. Not even if you aspire to join the Olympics, because, hey, what are the chances of you winning right?

Wrong! We can look up to our inspiring local athletes like Datuk Lee Chong Wei and Datuk Nicol David that proved anything is possible once your heart is set to it.

6. Performer (Actors, singers, musician etc)

What parents usually say: “Everybody also wants to do this job. You think so easy pick you ke?”

Watching actors and musicians that produce amazing content people watched or listened to dazzled our little kiddies’ minds.

They were good-looking and talented, and God knows, almost everyone aspired to be like them!

Just look at Joe Flizzow who went from rapper duo, to solo artist/producer, and then venturing into a couple of other businesses such as a barber shop and restaurant.

Plus when you’re younger, you’re darn confident that you looked good enough to be a superstar.

Despite what we were told, especially for a job that does not seem to earn a lot of money, it’s passion that truly drives us in life. Because when it comes down to it, money wouldn’t seem worth it when you’re stuck doing something you hate day after day.

Plus, we are living in this amazing era where everything is connected through the Internet! Performers, gamers, artists and more can now showcase their talent online.

So put yourself out there, and ultimately, BE YOU!

Also read: 9 Baby Words Every Malaysian Will Know Thanks to Our Chinese Parents