8/13/2019 Careers Support by Parents

1/3

1

HELPING WITH BIG DECISIONS

The choice of a career path is one of the most important decisions that young people have to make. A

decision, that will have a major impact on the pattern and quality of their adult life.

During the high school years your teenager really needs you though he/she may not admit. The role of a

parent is significant and has a strong bearing on the future success of your child. They need to learnabout various occupations they might be suited to and need to get a real picture of what individual

occupations involve.

By year 9 students have tested themselves against many subjects and interests. By helping them identify

these areas of interest you will be helping them to make successful career decisions. Your role is critical

in starting to prompt their thinking from early high school. Studies conducted by Donald Super (Social

Scientist) proved that individuals in 9th

Grade who displayed a good knowledge of an occupation, and

used planning and interest strategies were significantly more successful as young adults.

YOU CAN

Talk about people you know who have interesting jobs-neighbors, relatives, friends. Encourageyour teenager to talk to them and help them plan the questions they can ask Arrange to visit work places of some people who interest them and arrange work experience

placements for them during vacation

Encourage them to read Newspaper and Magazine articles about various careers and peoplewho are successful in them.TV series and films can also create interest.

Encourage them to read job advertisements in Newspapers in order to familiarize themselveswith details of work involved, qualifications and personal requirements needed for each job

Make them aware of new jobs being created and special skills required for these jobs in order tokeep their options open

Discuss why some jobs are highly paid, some are secure and others are tiring. By starting the job search process early your teenager will avoid having to make a difficult careerchoice in haste. Have at least 5 career options in mind because there may be a decline of interest in a subject

that proves to be demanding, there may be limited university places for a course in high

demand, there may be a decline in job opportunities or stiff competition for few jobs available.

Encourage them to expect several jobs during their working career and the possibility ofcontinually building on their skills base

Both you and your teenager need to be realistic about their chances of meeting requiredqualifications for a course in order to avoid disappointment and a loss of self confidence Future

promotion success and happiness comes from something you do well and enjoy

Teenagers should be taught the value of good education that enhances their abilities andprovides a solid foundation to their future careers

Give extra encouragement to daughters to seek specializations in non traditional areas e.g Tradeand Engineering

Be supportive, positive and confident of eventual success. Be available, show interest in theirefforts in course/occupation search and be prepared to help

Help them in their applications, resumes and interview preparation Help him sieve through the information overload regarding university and course choices

8/13/2019 Careers Support by Parents

2/3

2

DO NOT

Emphasize occupations you have liked to pursue yourself or the ones you would particularly likethem to do

Talk about all the bad aspects of your current job-Give them a realistic picture of what the realjob involves

Avoid race, gender, minority groups stereotyping- Women are home makers-Men are breadwinners

Develop faulty reasoning, beliefs or faulty logic by imposing your assumptions on the teenager.This will deter him from making wise decisions e.g. All bankers are rich because they drive big

cars. You should become a banker

Create unpleasant and stressful interactions with family resulting in poor self regard or selfesteem and the feeling of being misunderstood. There may be a conflict with family over a

career choice- an individual view versus a collective cultural view. Reflection can eliminate

inappropriate thinking Cause emotional instability in the teenager due to personal family problems or financial

affluence

Let Parental status affect the occupational level of your teenager. It may discourage thedevelopment of a positive attitude, concerning appropriate levels of education and career plans

Career Maturity implies a stabilized identity that provides individuals with a framework for making

career choices. It is a continuous developmental process that develops key characteristics, essential for

successful career development.

The main Characteristics are:

-Decisiveness and decision making skills

-Independence

-Knowledge of Occupational Information

- Planning skills

-Successful accomplishment of tasks

-Achieving a positive relationship with peers-essential to social adjustment

-Socially responsible behavior implies that steps have been taken to achieve emotional independence

from parents and other adults and affects individual adjustment to rules and life roles including workroles

- Career confidence refers to self determination and individual control on ones future by fostering

independent actions. One outstanding source of career confidence is success in school activity that

helps build positive attitudes, beliefs and competencies

8/13/2019 Careers Support by Parents

3/3

3

Significant factors influencing a career choice are:

-Ability

-Skills

-Interests

-Values

-Changes in work organization at work places

- Family resources (financial, material, emotional)

-Uncertainty associated with Global Economy

-Work experience

Group Activity - Group leader to present summary of discussions

Write a brief summary of the academic abilities and interests of your teenager. Mention theextra-curricular activities that he is taking part in. List his most outstanding achievements in high

school. List his inherent special talents.

Discuss how you, as parents, can build on careers maturity of your teenager at home. Identifymajor foreseen challenges and devise solutions to the challenges.

Assess each factor influencing a career choice in relation to your teenager son/daughter andwrite down ways in which you can assist in strengthening each factor. Think of additional ways

in which you can assist in the career decision making process.

Reflect on your past experiences in your own careers decision- making process. Write down thepositive and negative influences on your decision. List the negative effects that you will

consciously avoid repeating, while guiding your teenager towards a future career path.