Nataliey BitatureEmpowering Africa's Next Generation: Leadership, Innovation, and Impact with Dr Nataliey.

Have We Outgrown the “Office Job Superiority” Mindset?

22 May 2026 · 1 min

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In this commentary, the speaker critiques the persistent societal stigma that elevates office-based careers over trades and creative or entrepreneurial paths. They highlight how, despite high earnings potential for plumbers and electricians in countries like the UK and the US, local perceptions still undervalue these professions. The speaker also discusses parental resistance to non‑university routes, especially entrepreneurship, noting how such attitudes can demoralize young people seeking alternative careers. The overarching call is for a cultural shift that respects all forms of work, ensuring everyone can earn with dignity and respect.

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We still have a stigma some jobs are better than other jobs. Better to be in an office than to be a plumber. Yet in other countries, like think about how much you pay plumbers in the UK or in America, electricians, it's so expensive. You can build an entire business and look after your family very well. But here we still don't have the value. Like you're saying, it's 'cause the talent is not yet there and the skills are not as developed. But there's also a lot of stigma around these things. The same way there's stigma around the creativity and the arts, there's stigma if you don't want to go to university stigma if you don't want to get a job. How many parents pay school fees and then when their child says, I want to be an entrepreneur, oh dear, oh dear, oh dear. That's something we've talked about a bit, but we have to sort of get past that. It's easy to say we'll accept once you're making money, but like I said, it's challenging to get to that point, and it's demoralizing, and it's hard. And it's hard enough being a young person and trying to find your way. Now, how can we adjust that and shift that? Because Everyone needs to earn. Everyone needs to have dignity and respect.