It all started with a post on Reddit’s r/ChatGPT, where a self-described Senior Data Analytics Consultant decided to let ChatGPT break down their job for a five-year-old. The response from the AI was adorably savage.
“A data analytics consultant is like someone who counts things for other people because those people are too busy or don’t know how to count very well themselves… Imagine if your mom asked you to count all the toys in your room, but instead of doing it herself, she paid a stranger to come over and count them. Then the stranger makes a colorful picture showing that you have 10 cars, 5 dolls, and 3 blocks…”
That hit harder than expected. The redditor, both amused and mildly existential, confessed: “I’ve never felt so professionally attacked by such an accurate description.”
It didn’t help that when they shared the result with their mother, her response was: “Oh, so you’re the toy counter! That makes sense now.” Ouch.
Trying to salvage some professional dignity, the redditor then explained the same job to their 6-year-old nephew — only to receive this no-filter gem in return: “So you count stuff? I can do that too. Want to see?”
A Trend is Born
The post struck a chord. Soon, other professionals joined the fun, asking ChatGPT to distill their job titles into kid-friendly metaphors — with unexpectedly delightful (and occasionally soul-crushing) results.
Here are some standout rewrites:
- ER Doctor: “They’re like the superheroes of the hospital—always ready, day or night… So basically: ER doctor = helper for big ouchies and surprises.”
- Welder: “Welding is like using a super hot crayon to glue metal things together… a superhero for metal!”
- Conservation Scientist: “I’m an animal detective who helps keep penguins and butterflies happy and safe using science instead of a cape.”
- Radiologist: “I’m a special detective who takes pictures inside the body with cool machines and helps doctors solve the mystery of what’s wrong.”
Each explanation not only simplified complex roles but also added an oddly empowering twist — turning technical titles into childlike adventures.
When Clarity Hits Too Close to Home
Perhaps the most striking part of this trend is how it humanizes professions we often overcomplicate with jargon. As one Reddit user noted, “They should have a job resource book phrased like that for kids thinking about careers. And maybe adults too.”
And they might be onto something. In an age where LinkedIn bios are packed with buzzwords, ChatGPT’s distilled honesty offers both comic relief and a mirror — forcing us to rethink how we perceive and describe the work we do.
The Internet Reacts
As the post gained traction, netizens flooded the thread with both laughter and low-key existential dread. Many admitted that they too had no clue how to describe their jobs simply — and that maybe, just maybe, their work isn’t as grandiose as their email signatures suggest.
One user summed it up best: “I have two degrees, manage multi-million dollar projects, and apparently I’m just a professional adult babysitter with email access.”