How to Encourage Teens to Consider Their Careers

The teen years can be some of the most important ones when it comes to career planning.  While your kids might spend much of their time using their devices, they might be thinking about their future at the same time. It’s a good idea to encourage open communication so they can make the right decisions. There are several things you can do to encourage them to think about their futures.

Talking About College

College isn’t for every student, and it is possible to earn a good living without ever getting a degree. Still, having one can open many doors for your child, especially if they are interested in working in a professional type setting. If you are thinking about sending your kids to college, you can do so with a low-rate Private Parent loan to help cover the costs and help out your children at the same time.

Building a Portfolio

If your kids have an interest in something that lends itself well to a portfolio, have them create one online to showcase their accomplishments and talent. For example, things like photography, videography, and graphic design all lend themselves well toward an online portfolio. Then they have a quality portfolio on the right platform, they might be more likely to make connections with great colleges and gain better scholarships. It can even be a starting point for getting better jobs in later years.

Giving Them Options

You might suggest they take a personality test so they can learn more about themselves. Of course, many don’t offer scientific results, and they shouldn’t be used as the one factor in deciding on a career, but they can be helpful for self-discovery. They can help your student think about their characteristics, personalities, and skills. Then they can choose something that suits them. 

Once they have a few ideas in mind, you might want to have them job shadow someone in an industry that interests them. Even if they just spend a day or two with a professional, they can start thinking about what their future might look like. If your teen attends a high school, you can ask the advisor or guidance counselor about getting these experiences set up. It lets students get a better look into the industries they might be considering. And they can also rule out things that might not be a great fit for them.

Understanding Goals

Your child’s career choice should be based on their future goals. That’s because a job can dictate everything from where someone lives to how fulfilled they feel. So, if your child’s goal is to work remotely in a field that interests them, they probably won’t be pursuing a career as a doctor or nurse, even if the medical field interests them. 

It’s a good idea to encourage them to get a job. Of course, many jobs open to teens will not be the ones they end up with, but it’s good for teens to experience what part or even full-time work is like. Plus, working will teach them good time management skills. There are many modern day parenting challenges you will have to troubleshoot but as your kids set their own goals into motion some of those challenges will fade away.