Spark

Preparing Your Child for the Workforce

If you’re a parent who has a high school- or college-aged child, it’s about time to prepare them for their future. It’s not easy to talk about hopes and dreams alongside potential stressors. But your input makes a difference. With your guidance, they’ll be able to navigate any problem that’s thrown their way.

Here’s a list of ways to ready your kid for the workforce:

Discuss Their Skills and Interests

Everyone says that if you can’t wake up to a job that you love, there’s no point. For the most part, that’s true – when your daily tasks spark joy, you’re a happier person automatically. But what if your child doesn’t know the answer to that question? Not every teenager can envision their future. As you’re probably aware, your passions don’t always align with your work.

So, it’s necessary to discover your child’s interests and strengths. Do they want to be an art teacher, or would they prefer to work as a lawyer? Once you’ve narrowed down their goals, you can help them succeed. They should seek out career paths that highlight their skills – and passion can follow. If they’re able to find a role that they enjoy, work won’t feel like a burden.

Be Open and Honest About Difficulties

Today, more than 20 million Americans struggle with substance abuse – three-quarters of those individuals hold jobs. It’s no secret that work can cause immense anxiety, stress and worry – no matter what you do. Similarly, a particular social culture exists within various sectors. For example, construction employees tend to drink heavily amongst their peers. High-level business professionals fall prey to addiction, too.

Aside from drug problems, workplace struggles may lead to depression or isolation. Sometimes, a new role brings about “imposter syndrome” – when you take on a position that feels far out of reach for your abilities. In any case, work isn’t always easy. Like school, there’s a ton of various pressures and expectations. Plus, many employees aren’t treated fairly by bosses or supervisors.

Do your best to communicate these realities to your child. If they’re aware of potential hurdles, they’ll be more likely to overcome them. Additionally, they’ll know that you’re on their side.

Get a Head Start

As a future employee, your child should know about desirable skills and attributes. Whether they’re about to attend university or recently entered their freshman year, it’s crucial to have a leg up on other applicants. The job market continually changes, but various programs at their school can help them prepare. From seminars and lectures to study abroad internships, there are several valuable opportunities.

Encourage your child to take part in “exploratory days,” where they can shadow professionals across several fields. If they’re able to set aside time for an internship, those temporary roles can teach them a lot about their future work environment. In any case, they should build relationships with counselors and teachers so that they can create a professional network.