Practical Ways to Help Kids and Teens Explore Career Interests

As parents, what can we do to prepare our kids to make decisions about career?

Talk about your work with your kids. Do they know what your work entails? Talk about what your friends do for work with your kids. Make it a habit to ask this question in conversation. For example, Uncle Lawrence is an insurance agent. What do you think he does? Make this a habit. And then the next time you see Uncle Lawrence encourage your child to ask him what he does. Ask if your teen can visit your friends and family at work.

Host regular career nights where you invite friends and community members to your home to share about their careers. Start among your own friends and family. Or make it a habit of asking friends and family to share with your kids when you have gatherings.

Start an exploration club with regular outings to places of work. Talk to your school counselor about how you might start something at the school. Ask them what resources are available.

Consider applying for on an interest or more experience-based charter school such as Orange County School  of the Arts or Samueli Academy. http://www.samueliacademy.org  where students are practicing the work of career professionals instead of just learning about it.

Regularly affirm your child’s strengths and talents. Tell them what you think they are good at, when they look very happy, when they are “in their element” so they can become self-aware.

For example, “I noticed how you took charge of the project by setting up a meeting to get started. That shows leadership.” “Auntie Wendy noticed you don’t  say a lot in discussions but what you do say is very insightful and you get to main point. It is something a consultant would do.” “You have a lot of friends and are always looking out for them. Relationships are important to you.”  “Wow, you put that bookshelf together so quickly. You are really good at building things!” “You love skiing and pushing yourself athletically. Do you think you are competitive? ” “ You love roller coasters and big cities. I think you are an adventurer.”  "You are always prepared and punctual. You are going to go far in life!"

Encourage them to express their interests and to reflect upon their likes and dislikes. I really like….I really don’t enjoy….. “ I really love ballet, mom. I don’t know why I am so happy when I’m dancing.” “I am really tired. I am going to go upstairs to rest. Sometimes after being around people I like to be by myself.”  “I didn’t enjoy Boy Scouts today. I couldn’t find anyone to sign off on my achievements and I was doing most of the cleaning up by myself.” “History class is boring.” “ I really like chess.”

Give kids opportunities to try new activities and interests. At the same time, encourage them not to give up on interests too easily. Angela Duckworth discusses the key role perseverance and passion plays in success in her book GRIT.

Read up on personality tests such as Meyer Briggs, Enneagram, StrengthsFinder, etc.

Share any relevant findings.

Teach your kids financial literacy. How to manage money, how much things cost. Encourage them to work. Help them make a connection between work, money, income, and interests. We don't want to scare them, but we don't want them to be shocked by "reality" either.

Be a model. Talk about your own likes, dislikes, personality, strengths, and weaknesses.  Develop hobbies and share your dreams and passions. Also share your struggles and regrets. Set new goals for yourself and let your kids see you work toward them. Transition to work you enjoy. Talk about your own career trajectory and what you have learned. 

Talk about money with your teens and your household finances, debt, loans, investments, the cost of college and your current income. Let them let see how careers and interest are worked out practically. Share with them your joys and challenges.

Most of all, let your children feel you will always be on their side to support them as they embark on their own futures. A great resource for parents of teens is Love Languages of Teens by Gary Chapman. Its premise is that teens need to feel loved by parents but often do not because parents are not speaking their particular language of love (gifts, words of affirmation, quality time, physical touch, works of service). Teens will disconnect and find support in other ways, sometimes good and sometimes bad, if they do not feel loved by their parents.

This is just my initial brainstorm. Please share your ideas. Let's continue to explore this issue together.