Today, children are taught to be career-oriented at a young age. Oftentimes, around 8th and 9th grade, schools in the United States offer career aptitude tests and require students to choose courses of study in high school that align with their future employment plans. With so many job options available, choosing just one career at such a young age can be difficult. In fact, around half of all college upperclassmen change majors by their junior year, and more than half of all graduating college students end up working in an industry different from the one they studied in college. Obviously, some of this has to do with job availability, but another reason so many people are job-disoriented is that none of us really know what the future holds. There’s also a confusing message being applied to students today, encouraging them to choose monetary gains over passion.
Helping Your Child Choose a Career
As a parent, it is important to help your son or daughter choose a career early in life. In doing so, it’s vital to expose them to as many different areas of employment as possible. If she is dead set on being a hairdresser and you worry about her future financial success, think about directing her into the business world, where she can own a string of hair salons rather than just rent space. Remind your child that there are many options, even within their interests, that may offer them more financial success. However, don’t push or emphasize that the only thing that matters is a 6-figure income.
Far too many parents hope, pray, and push their kids in the direction of careers that earn the most money. Yet today, there are millions of adults stuck in high-paying jobs they feel no passion for. Going to work every day to do a job you hate, in order to earn a paycheck, while financially beneficial, can also be a terrible way to live. As parents help their children find careers, it’s important to keep this in mind. Remember — your child’s happiness should come first.
Probably the best advice for parents is to allow their son or daughter to make some choices on their own. If your child has a knack for science and enjoys helping others, encourage them to take healthcare-related classes and seek internships. If your son or daughter is dead set on law enforcement, set up ride-alongs with community police departments so they can get a firsthand look at what the job entails. If your child has a natural talent for art, explore options where they can use their talent. Also, don’t hesitate to enroll them in credited or non-credited classes at local colleges or tech institutes, so they can gain hands-on experience in fields of study that interest them. Online courses can also be an option, enabling students to pursue a different field while still exploring their interests. If they plan on becoming a teacher, you can encourage them to check out online teaching programs or similar courses to learn what best fits their interests.
Should you force your child down a career path or have them follow in your footsteps? According to a report from the United States Board of Education, only 11% of students follow their parents’ career choices. If your child is interested, do your best to give them the best advice and expose them to as many real-world experiences as possible. Your know-how and connections will definitely help them. But if they are not interested, it’s best to keep the doors of opportunity open. Sure, you may be disappointed, but remember that your child, although born from your DNA, is also an individual. At the end of the day, you want your child to be happy and successful — something accomplished more easily when children are allowed to follow their passions. With that being said, ask your kids what they like to do, how they see themselves in ten years, and what sorts of things interest them. Even you, as their parent, might be surprised by their answers.
It’s also okay if your child doesn’t know what they want to do. In fact, most kids don’t. And even if they have an idea, as mentioned earlier, life experience tends to change minds about career choices. Don’t put too much pressure on your child to choose. Be open to them working after graduation for a while or allowing them time to explore their interests and passions on their own. Having a 17-year-old who doesn’t know how they want to spend their life working is not the end of the world. Assist in as many ways as you can without being pushy or stressing them out. The reality is they don’t have to make this choice RIGHT NOW, and even if they do, things are always subject to change.
Your son and daughter have plenty of time. With parents who are invested in their future, you will find that while you can help steer them in the right direction, ultimately THEY have to be the ones to make the choice. Offering as many options as possible and staying conscious of your child’s interests and passions will ensure that they have both a successful and happy future.
