Model Aiden Ricklef @aidenricklef photographed by @Hectordzz wearing socks by The Lonely Avocado. For part two of the exclusive interview head over to www.thelonelyavocado.com
Q: The world is changing so quickly! The old ways of earning income are slowly becoming less available and obsolete; all while new doors leading to alternate ways of earning a living are opening quickly. When did you realize that you wanted to start on your journey towards a career revolving around your online presence? Was it always the main career path in your mind or was this a new idea for you?
A: This is definitely something new for me. You know, it’s so early on in my career that I’m just trying to enjoy every minute of it and to make the most out of the opportunities I’ve been given. Still being in high school, I’m focused on finishing that and going on to college. This is a tricky business and it’s really important to me to have a backup plan.
Q: If you had to think of something that is really important to many people your age group, which you hoped people from older generations would understand and listen to, what would it be?
A: I think the obvious answer is Climate Change. I hear a lot of the older generation making excuses like “the Earth has always had times when the temperature increased, its just part of nature”. OK, maybe so, but we also know that human activity is speeding up the process. I can’t understand why they wouldn’t want to do everything they could to help future generations.
Q: Has online/distanced schooling affected your ability to maintain the grades you had while physically in school? Do you think kids would benefit from a more home-based education?
A: For myself and because of my busy schedule, distance learning has actually helped my grades. I have more flexibility with organizing my time and can use the breaks when I’d normally be just hanging out on campus to work on my videos or talk to my manager. I’m also lucky to be in sports because I get to go to school for a couple of hours a day and practice with my water polo teammates. For kids that don’t have an option to see their friends or socialize, I know it’s a lot more difficult.
Q: Do you find that with the increasing normality of social media and alternative ways of earning income/learning, many kids are talking about avoiding post-secondary education altogether?
A: For me and my friends, we see it as something on top of traditional education. I think kids are just more entrepreneurial these days and these non-traditional income opportunities give you a way of trying out a bunch of different things even before you get to college. To be honest, I’m not in a hurry to grow up! High school and college are experiences I want to have, and I plan to balance them with my career.
Q: If you could change one thing about how High School operates, which you think could have the biggest and most lasting impact on future generations, what would need to be changed?
A: I think that the specific class requirements are a little ridiculous. Listen, I’m not going to be a scientist or engineer, why am I taking four years of upper-division math? Whether you’re going to go get a job out of high school or go to college, I think you should have an opportunity to study subjects that interest you and will better prepare you for that journey.
Q: Do you feel that High School is equipping you with the correct knowledge, which you could use to ready yourself for life outside of school, or are you a bit worried by the lack of those things?
A: I think my school has given me the basic skills I need to get through life – reading, math, etc. For myself and my future, I think I’ve been lucky to have a few awesome teachers who have taught me one of the most important skills I will use going forward, which is how to communicate my ideas with others. I think communication is an underrated skill that more schools should focus on.
