What 34 Homeschoolers I Grew Up With Are Doing Now…
One really central part of our experience growing up was the network and support group of homeschoolers that we met with over the years. I’ve mentioned this formative group of friends and community in my post on age-diverse play and learning, but I haven’t written as much on this group as I could have, considering its impact on our experience.
“International Day” with the group, 1988
This was a group far larger than the two-family co-op arrangement that inspired my mom’s journal in the beginning. It started with about 10 families, and it grew to a network of over 40 families at any given time. It was made up of families who were homeschooling in a variety of ways, for a variety of reasons; we gathered once a week to do structured activities or take field trips, to go camping or just hang out at the beach or park. My family was part of the founding group, and we remained connected to this group for two decades, my younger sister continuing after I had moved on in my mid teens.
After the last post, in which I questioned what people pursue when given agency… I thought it would be interesting to reflect on the older cohort of the homeschool group that I grew up with, to see what people are up to now. Since I’m not in touch with many of them now, I used my mom as a source, and I was a little surprised to see the resulting list:
Out of 34 grown homeschoolers, here’s a list of current fields of work:
Two work in computer software,
Two are engineers,
And two work in informatics and data analysis.
One is in nursing school, another in medical school,
Another is a phelbotomist (or lab tech),
And one is a physical therapist.
There is a college anthropology teacher,
An after-school program art teacher,
And a nanny.
There is a shoemaker and wood worker,
Three actors,
A photographer,
Two visual artists,
A dancer,
Two musicians,
And one editor.
There is one lawyer,
Two restaurant managers,
One chef,
A hair stylist,
A manager of a copy & fax services,
An aid to autistic children,
A family counselor,
A Marine,
And one works as a Lego builder and in PR for Lego…
It’s a huge, huge variety. I wonder if a comparable variety would be found if you were to pick 34 adults from any given high school yearbook and check where the adults ended up.
One thing that really surprised me at the beginning of this blog project was how few stats there are on homeschooling demographics. That’s the thing, I guess, about opting out of “the system”…
Even on a personal and small scale, it was really interesting to check in with what people are up to now, where some of us have ended up – or at least where we are at the moment, and what we’re doing for now.
In 1991 I saw a W 5 program with your Mom Wendy speaking about Home Schooling. The a ha moment came instantaneously , and all 3 of my fabulous children were home learners. Where they are today: My daughter is studying at Burklee School of Music in Boston on a full ride 4yr scholarship. My middle son is a professional musician and a renaissance man who is not afraid to tackle any project laid before him. My youngest son is an electrical apprentice in the second yr of school. They are all musicians and are all passionate about their lives and compassionate human beings. Thanks from the bottom of my heart for turning that light bulb on for me Wendy.
Thanks for the comment Gin! Just wanted to clarify, my mom is Cathy Earle – not Wendy. But I have enjoyed making Wendy’s acquaintance online since beginning this blog!
I’ll make sure Wendy sees your comment.
Hi Gin. Thanks for your kind words. I’m so glad that my media appearance all those years ago helped you and your family! My two daughters are now in their early 40s. One is a successful self-employed graphic designer and the other is a conservational horticulturalist who runs a native plant botanical garden. Passion and compassion are a big part of their lives too! 😉
I can tell you from my high school graduating class
My husband is an engineer
2 computer programers (at least)
1 Pharmacist
1 Pussy cat doll
1 model/actress
1 social worker
Several public school teachers
A few stay at home moms
2 accountants
1 fashion designer (costume design for Taylor swift, the voice, so you think you can dance and more)
1 photographer (me)
1 lawyer
Several nurses
1 successful artist (that I know of, hand drawings)
1 real estate agent
And this is all I can think of off the top of my head from my graduating class of 350 students (there were 500 freshman year)
That is quite a variety – and the wide span is particularly impressive because we might think that close friends would be more likely to end up in related fields…
Very interesting. I wonder if the variety is because homeschooling often allows more time and opportunity to explore personal interests and find what one is truly passionate about?
I was homeschooled along with my 6 siblings. We each have multiple interests and career directions.
One does log home construction and is a farm manager.
I’m a homeschooling mom of 4 and a self published author.
Next is a marine.
Fourth is a florist and nanny.
Fifth is a missionary and pro Dragon boat racer in Philippines.
Sixth is a water color artist.
7 has not yet graduated, but already has a passel of life skills under his belt, so he could go anywhere.
There’s definitely more variety in our family than I ever expected.
I have four homeschooled children the oldest a Case worker for DEFAC, The next one is an Artist, I still have two at home, one who is not quite sure yet, Marines or IT, and the youngest Cosmetology. They all are musical, the oldest a Worship leader.
Thanks to all for the comments and feedback!
It’s great to hear about other families, too.
It is great to see variety! It shows that God is a God of variety. If I look at my high school graduating class, many began doing one of only a few things , but almost all ended doing something more individual.
My 8 siblings and I were public schooled and we all did our own thing as well.
My own 8 children are or will be homeschooled (oldest is 15, youngest is 2mths) and I see variety pouring from them already.
Your report was very encouraging!
I would have loved to have heard marriage and children reports. My hope for mine is that they all remain in their first marriage with many beautiful children. Out of my many siblings, I am the only one still married (and that would also be HAPPILY married) to my first love. The others have all been divorced at least once and none are even married at the moment. Just a sad outcome in each sibling.
Sorry…getting too serious…lol… I doubt that schooling choice is the “fix” for this sad trend. Just my curiousity at maximum!
My son really wants to meet (or BE) that last guy with Lego 😉
Yes, I bet a LOT of people would love to do that job. I remember, when he was just a young kid, we used to say, I bet he will work for LEGO. We were mostly kidding – but he did it!!