Why Tech Parents Are Now Pushing Their Kids Toward the Arts

For years, STEM careers were promoted as the safest and smartest option for students entering the workforce. But recently, a shift has emerged: many parents who work in high-powered tech roles are now encouraging their children to pursue creative, hands-on professions instead. From the arts to the skilled trades, careers once seen as “fallbacks” are gaining renewed respect.

The driving force? Artificial intelligence. As AI becomes capable of writing code, analyzing complex data, and even performing surgical tasks, parents in the tech world are asking tough questions about whether the jobs they trained for will exist in a decade. Some, like a Boston-based engineering director, even consulted AI tools for parenting advice—and were told to prioritize creativity and people skills for their kids’ futures.
“Maybe they should be contractors or electricians,” he said. “Maybe we shouldn’t push them into technology.”

This shift isn’t limited to conversations in private homes—it’s showing up in enrollment numbers. In Massachusetts, vocational school enrollment has increased by nearly 30% over the past decade. Once viewed as the “lesser” option, trade programs now have waitlists and are being revived in mainstream public schools. Many parents see these programs as a dual-pathway to both college and career readiness—especially appealing in an uncertain job market.
David Ferreira, a state leader in vocational education, noted that parents are rethinking what stability really means. Trade programs that provide hands-on skills are increasingly viewed as a hedge against automation and a way to build long-term resilience.

Many of the tech professionals now encouraging their kids to “go creative” didn’t start out that way. Jeannie Chung, who works in applied AI at a large tech company, initially wanted to major in English but studied engineering after pressure from her parents. A decade later, she’s seeing the volatility of the tech industry firsthand—and telling her friends to follow their creative instincts.

“Your creativity is your value,” she said, explaining that logic-based jobs are often the first to face automation.
Even tech executives are now seeing value in careers once considered impractical. Rajeev Madumba, a global leader in healthcare IT, used to push his kids to learn coding. Now, he’s encouraging his daughter’s love of music and dance, noting that the local dance studio owner seems to be earning a solid living—and is unlikely to be replaced by a robot.

As artificial intelligence reshapes the future of work, even tech professionals are rethinking what kinds of careers they want for the next generation. The growing consensus? Careers that emphasize human creativity, purpose, and adaptability are becoming more valuable than ever.

At Allegro Workforce, our mission is to listen, learn, and lead alongside our communities. That means offering flexible platforms, building responsive programs, and creating tools that reflect the realities and aspirations of today’s learners and workers—whether they’re on a coding path or picking up a paintbrush.