Interesting. So Gus has a falling out with his father, and rejects his army "heritage" and goes fully into the world of software/hardware.

Gretchen likely then works as a librarian or as a public service educator, and has to make ends meet by supplanting her income online.

Spinelli doesn't strike me as a coffee aficionado, but she is highly strung and so probably would thrive in a hands-on demanding environment like a coffee house.

Mikey, as a youtuber who consumes lots of food. Yes, I could probably see that. I hoped more that he would be literally on stage performing theater, but I suppose youtube is a stage of sorts where you find your ideal audience, and so food and performance seems like a good fit.

TJ as a mechanic. I guess so, though it feels like a waste of his inspirational, organizational, and creativity skills, though the same could be said for many kids with failed dreams.

Vincent in middle management. Perhaps his passion for sports did not translate well into adulthood and he had to find himself a normal job.

Nah, Gus is a military drone operator bombing weddings in Afghanistan

that's a (major) background worry that could be applied to anyone. I'm asking specifically about the recess characters

Other than Vince, I'm fully on board with a lot of these, though wondering exactly what Mikey does to "fill the world with love"

I always imagined her as a mechanic

Dunno. I can't imagine Spinelli taking orders from anyone unless it's someone she respects, like TJ.

I can definitely imagine her in the trenches however

Definitely was! Randall giving Ms Pfizer a spongebath might not be a joke that would fly now

I can see all of these, except maybe Gus. TJ as a charming mofo flipping houses I can see, though when the price gouging hurts his neighbours In wonder how he'll act

Im happy for you?