By the time your child gets to high school, you may start hearing about what they want to do with the rest of their life.
However, some teens will tell you they have no idea what career they want.
As a parent, you want your teen to be focused on the future, but at what point do you step in to help?
Here are some tips to helping your child choose the right career path, without choosing it for them.
What Do You Want to Be When You Grow Up?
For many students, the answer to this question will help determine which high school elective classes, as well as college preparatory classes, they will take.
Some students may have high aspirations for their career, while others may not. Take care not to discourage your teen from their dreams.
Your child may want to be an NFL star and you may know in your heart that it probably won’t happen. However, let your child try for what they want.
Teachers and Counselors
If you can convince your teen, try to set up a meeting with their school counselor or one of their teachers. These individuals can give your teen a list of careers that he or she could really excel at.
You also need to pay attention to the subjects that your teenagers does well in and those that are not so good. Ask them what they enjoy doing.
You may be surprised to find out that they really enjoy researching for a school paper, but they abhor writing it. It’s the little things like this that will help your teen see which career path may be right up their alley.
Career Testing
There are a number of websites that offer free career testing. While these are not proven science, it can offer some suggestions about what your teen may enjoy doing for the rest of their lives.
The best part about the results is that your teen may be interested in a career they hadn’t thought of beforehand.
A Day in the Workplace
A great way for your teen to see what a chosen career path may offer is for them to spend a day at the workplace. Some schools will offer programs such as these and you should encourage your teenager to participate.
Many businesses will also allow a teen to spend day learning about the job. Your teen simply needs to make a few phone calls or stop in for a visit and ask.
Be Supportive and Help Your Child Make the Right Choices
The best thing you can do to help your child choose a career is listening and pay attention. Offer your advice when asked for it, but don’t try to push your child into a career they simply don’t want. This can make for some very hard feelings later on.
Just because their father is a dentist does not mean they want to be one too. If your child does not excel or must choose another career because of their grades, then support them instead of constant criticism[dealing with criticism]. If your child has made a mistake it’s better that they determine so now, instead of years down the road.
