--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: My generation's parents told their…" description: "\"My generation's parents told their children, 'Become an accountant, a lawyer, or an engineer; that will give you a solid foothold in the middle class.'..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fca/daniel-h-pink-1532_accountants_my-generation-s-parents-told-their-child_1489160.png" --- # My generation's parents told their children, 'Become an… ![“My generation's parents told their children, 'Become an accountant, a lawyer, or an engineer; that will give you a solid foothold in the middle class.' But these jobs are now being sent overseas. So in order to make it today, you have to do work that's hard to outsource, hard to automate.” quote by Daniel H. Pink](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fca/daniel-h-pink-1532_accountants_my-generation-s-parents-told-their-child_1489160.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fca/daniel-h-pink-1532_accountants_my-generation-s-parents-told-their-child_1489160.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fca/daniel-h-pink-1532_accountants_my-generation-s-parents-told-their-child_1489160.png) > “My generation's parents told their children, 'Become an accountant, a lawyer, or an engineer; that will give you a solid foothold in the middle class.' But these jobs are now being sent overseas. So in order to make it today, you have to do work that's hard to outsource, hard to automate.” [Daniel H. Pink](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-h-pink/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Traditional middle‑class careers are disappearing; success now requires skills that machines can’t replicate. **In simple terms:** Jobs that can’t be outsourced or automated are essential today. Key Takeaway Focus on uniquely human abilities. Themes career technology economy skill development Mood concerned optimistic Type advice insightful When to use this quote - job search - entrepreneurship - skill training - career planning Key Concepts automation globalization human capital Questions to Reflect On - What skills can you develop that machines cannot replicate? - How will you future‑proof your career? A Different Perspective Not all jobs are immune to automation; continuous learning is required. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Accountants](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/accountants/) [Children](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/children/) [Class](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/class/) [Generation Parents](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/generation-parents-1053248/) [Generations](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/generations/) [Giving](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/giving/) [Hard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hard/) [Hard Outsource](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hard-outsource-5441250/) [Jobs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/jobs/) [Lawyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lawyer/) [Leadership](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/leadership/) [Middle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/middle/) [Middle class](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/middle-class/) [Mind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mind/) [Order](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/order/) [Outsource](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/outsource-1225195/) [Outsource Hard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/outsource-hard-5441249/) [Parent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/parent/) [Parenting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/parenting/) [Today](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/today/) ## Related quotes > [Empathy is about standing in someone else's shoes, feeling with his or her heart, seeing with his or her eyes. Not only is empathy…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-h-pink/empathy-is-about-standing-in-someone-else-s-shoes-feeling-with-his-or/) [Daniel H. Pink](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-h-pink/) > [“Much later, when I thought about it, I realized that my folks were typical of their generation of parents: Their idea of raising children…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nathan-mccall/much-later-when-i-thought-about-it-i-realized-that-my-folks-were/) [Nathan McCall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nathan-mccall/) > [To my mind, when the Partition happened, the generation of my parents worked to ensure livelihood and better life for their children.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dalip-tahil/to-my-mind-when-the-partition-happened-the-generation-of-my-parents/) [Dalip Tahil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dalip-tahil/) > [In terms of my own experience, my dad is first-generation, so his parents were from China, and my mom was born and raised in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phillipa-soo/in-terms-of-my-own-experience-my-dad-is-first-generation-so-his/) [Phillipa Soo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phillipa-soo/) > [For me, the fall of the Wall came at the exact right time because, I mean, I was 17, basically I hadn't missed anything,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-wlaschiha/for-me-the-fall-of-the-wall-came-at-the-exact-right-time-because-i/) [Tom Wlaschiha](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-wlaschiha/) > [ I also think there is a wisdom and strength in that generation \[of our parents\], in terms of getting through difficult times, and there… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-redford/i-also-think-there-is-a-wisdom-and-strength-in-that-generation-of-our/) [James Redford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-redford/) > [It's astonishing how quickly cultural references change. Each new generation of parents grows up with a new slate of cultural understanding, television shows, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-l-thomas/it-s-astonishing-how-quickly-cultural-references-change-each-new/) [Gary L. Thomas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-l-thomas/) > [This whole generation of parents - I'm guilty of it too - does too much for their kids.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/this-whole-generation-of-parents-i-m-guilty-of-it-too-does-too-much/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I think, at the end of the century we'll have a generation of parents and a generation of children who won't have had the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alison-gopnik/i-think-at-the-end-of-the-century-we-ll-have-a-generation-of-parents/) [Alison Gopnik](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alison-gopnik/) > [The trimmings of wealth are not as important to me and my generation as they were to my parents' generation.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ian-schrager/the-trimmings-of-wealth-are-not-as-important-to-me-and-my-generation/) [Ian Schrager](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ian-schrager/) > [Like the Caribbean Windrush generation, my parents came to this country from the Commonwealth in the 1960s. They, too, came to help rebuild this…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sajid-javid/like-the-caribbean-windrush-generation-my-parents-came-to-this/) [Sajid Javid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sajid-javid/) > [You can't be a professor without having been a student. You can't be a consultant without having been a research associate. So, if you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nirmalya-kumar/you-can-t-be-a-professor-without-having-been-a-student-you-can-t-be-a/) [Nirmalya Kumar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nirmalya-kumar/) > [Master your strengths. Outsource your weaknesses.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ryan-kahn/master-your-strengths-outsource-your-weaknesses/) [Ryan Kahn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ryan-kahn/) > [Perhaps we can get to the point where we can outsource our own personal experiences entirely into a computer - and possibly our own…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sebastian-thrun/perhaps-we-can-get-to-the-point-where-we-can-outsource-our-own/) [Sebastian Thrun](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sebastian-thrun/) > [The entire intelligence community is so bloated and so reliant on contractors. There's no question there's many tasks that make sense to outsource, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/valerie-plame/the-entire-intelligence-community-is-so-bloated-and-so-reliant-on/) [Valerie Plame](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/valerie-plame/) ## More by Daniel H. Pink > [Human beings have an innate inner drive to be autonomous, self-determined, and connected to one another. And when that drive is liberated, people achieve…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-h-pink/human-beings-have-an-innate-inner-drive-to-be-autonomous-self/) [Daniel H. Pink](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-h-pink/) > [“morning people to be pleasant, productive folks—“introverted,”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-h-pink/morning-people-to-be-pleasant-productive-folks-introverted/) [Daniel H. Pink](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-h-pink/) > [“tweeters felt active, engaged, and hopeful—generally rose in the morning, plummeted in the afternoon”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-h-pink/tweeters-felt-active-engaged-and-hopeful-generally-rose-in-the/) [Daniel H. Pink](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-h-pink/) > [“The longer it takes for a boss to respond to their e-mails, the less satisfied people are with their leader.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-h-pink/the-longer-it-takes-for-a-boss-to-respond-to-their-e-mails-the-less/) [Daniel H. Pink](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-h-pink/) > [For creative tasks, the best approach is often just to hire great people and get out of their way.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-h-pink/for-creative-tasks-the-best-approach-is-often-just-to-hire-great/) [Daniel H. Pink](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-h-pink/) > [“The less evidence of extrinsic motivation during art school, the more success in professional art both several years after graduation and nearly twenty years…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-h-pink/the-less-evidence-of-extrinsic-motivation-during-art-school-the-more/) [Daniel H. Pink](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-h-pink/) > [If you look at the very best presidents, the most effective presidents, they were always decent salespeople. Ronald Reagan was an extremely effective salesman,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-h-pink/if-you-look-at-the-very-best-presidents-the-most-effective-presidents/) [Daniel H. Pink](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-h-pink/) > [“the more they chat and gossip—the more they get done”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-h-pink/the-more-they-chat-and-gossip-the-more-they-get-done/) [Daniel H. Pink](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-h-pink/) > [“continuing to think about job demands during breaks may result in strain.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-h-pink/continuing-to-think-about-job-demands-during-breaks-may-result-in/) [Daniel H. Pink](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-h-pink/) > [“The quality of the problem that is found is a forerunner of the quality of the solution that is attained . . .” Getzels concluded.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-h-pink/the-quality-of-the-problem-that-is-found-is-a-forerunner-of-the/) [Daniel H. Pink](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-h-pink/) > [When we make progress and get better at something, it is inherently motivating. In order for people to make progress, they have to get…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-h-pink/when-we-make-progress-and-get-better-at-something-it-is-inherently/) [Daniel H. Pink](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-h-pink/) > [“innovation and creativity are greatest when we are not at our best”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-h-pink/innovation-and-creativity-are-greatest-when-we-are-not-at-our-best/) [Daniel H. Pink](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-h-pink/) > [“Temporal landmarks slow our thinking, allowing us to deliberate at a higher level and make better decisions”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-h-pink/temporal-landmarks-slow-our-thinking-allowing-us-to-deliberate-at-a/) [Daniel H. Pink](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-h-pink/) > [“Jobs that offer autonomy but little challenge bore us.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-h-pink/jobs-that-offer-autonomy-but-little-challenge-bore-us/) [Daniel H. Pink](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-h-pink/) > [“richest experiences in our lives aren’t when we’re clamoring for validation from others, but when we’re listening to our own voice—doing something that matters,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-h-pink/richest-experiences-in-our-lives-aren-t-when-we-re-clamoring-for/) [Daniel H. Pink](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-h-pink/) [Explore all 230 Daniel H. Pink quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-h-pink/) ## More Accountants quotes > [Once we allow ourselves to be disobedient to the test of an accountant's profit, we have begun to change our civilization.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-maynard-keynes/once-we-allow-ourselves-to-be-disobedient-to-the-test-of-an/) [John Maynard Keynes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-maynard-keynes/) > [I deliberately look for colorful people. They're very right for theatre. Theatre has to be theatrical. If you can get color into the accountant,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lanford-wilson/i-deliberately-look-for-colorful-people-they-re-very-right-for/) [Lanford Wilson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lanford-wilson/) > [I could never have been an accountant. I got a D in math.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rob-marshall/i-could-never-have-been-an-accountant-i-got-a-d-in-math/) [Rob Marshall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rob-marshall/) > [My greatest reward is knowing for certain, as I do with many other acts and artistes, that without Jonathan King being alive and involved,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-king/my-greatest-reward-is-knowing-for-certain-as-i-do-with-many-other/) [Jonathan King](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-king/) > [It is a maxim of cryptology that what one man can devise, another can unravel. This principle keeps armies of tax lawyers and accountants…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-wriston/it-is-a-maxim-of-cryptology-that-what-one-man-can-devise-another-can/) [Walter Wriston](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-wriston/) > [Fact is, the work place to a great extent is "where we live." We need star accountants. Boffo saleswomen. Over-the-top creatives in marketing and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-peters/fact-is-the-work-place-to-a-great-extent-is-where-we-live-we-need/) [Tom Peters](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-peters/) > [Films are now made by accountants. They pick a pretty young female or male face out of the air and give them a part…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-lee/films-are-now-made-by-accountants-they-pick-a-pretty-young-female-or/) [Christopher Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-lee/) > [She was my accountant, so I just believed her.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-howard/she-was-my-accountant-so-i-just-believed-her/) [John Howard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-howard/) > [The rich hire lawyers and accountants for a reason - to pass the tax bill on to you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-w-bush/the-rich-hire-lawyers-and-accountants-for-a-reason-to-pass-the-tax/) [George W. Bush](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-w-bush/) > [A lot of labels are hiring a lot more accountants than people that know music.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/taylor-hanson/a-lot-of-labels-are-hiring-a-lot-more-accountants-than-people-that/) [Taylor Hanson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/taylor-hanson/) > [We're living in a time period where if a kid is on a plastic scooter that's one inch off the ground, mom and dad…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ramin-bahrani/we-re-living-in-a-time-period-where-if-a-kid-is-on-a-plastic-scooter/) [Ramin Bahrani](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ramin-bahrani/) > [And it does no harm to repeat, as often as you can, 'Without me the literary industry would not exist: the publishers, the agents,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/doris-lessing/and-it-does-no-harm-to-repeat-as-often-as-you-can-without-me-the/) [Doris Lessing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/doris-lessing/) > [I didn't do anything differently than what my father was doing. It's a really hard family to rebel in. I could have become an…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/justin-townes-earle/i-didn-t-do-anything-differently-than-what-my-father-was-doing-it-s-a/) [Justin Townes Earle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/justin-townes-earle/) > [While Donald Trump was busy with his accountants trying to figure out how to keep living like a billionaire, and all the while he…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hillary-clinton/while-donald-trump-was-busy-with-his-accountants-trying-to-figure-out/) [Hillary Clinton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hillary-clinton/) > [Property is my major investment. My accountant has put money into various long-term savings arrangements. To be honest, I am a bit vague about…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anne-robinson/property-is-my-major-investment-my-accountant-has-put-money-into/) [Anne Robinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anne-robinson/) [Browse all 226 Accountants quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/accountants/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "My generation's parents told their children, 'Become an accountant, a lawyer, or an engineer; that will give you a solid foothold in the middle class.' But these jobs are now being sent overseas. So in order to make it today, you have to do work that's hard to outsource, hard to automate.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Daniel H. 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