How to help your child choose a career

As long as your child continues to progress in their learning and other aspects of life, they would soon need to make a career choice. Most often than not, children are at a loss as to what career path they would follow. When

There is a need for parents to help their children start to explore their interests as early as possible. Nurturing their interests and discovering new skills and passions would eventually serve as a good pointer in choosing a career path for your child. How exactly can a parent successfully help their kids choose a career without lording it over them?

How to help your child choose a career

Below are 5 things you can do to help your child choose a suitable career.

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1.      Help your child discover their strengths and passions

Every individual has their weaknesses, strengths, and passions. The same applies to your child. Often, the challenge is how to discover what those weaknesses, strengths, and passions are.

Pay attention to what the child loves to do. What activities interest them? How well do they do some tasks? What subjects do they love most? How long can they stay on some activities?

These simple questions will help you have a clue of what your child loves or doesn’t love to do.

You can also discuss with your child their hobbies and extracurricular activities. Try and understand why they love certain sports or subjects more than others. Let them express themselves freely as much as they can and take good notes.

Continue to observe and take notes as your child grows, knowing that these interests and passions would likely change from time to time. 

2.      Use career assessment tools to identify their strengths

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Some tools can be used to assess a child’s strengths and weaknesses as a guide to helping them choose a career path. These tools are often used by career guides.

Tools like personality assessments and standardized tests such as the SAT (Scholastic Assessment Test) or ASVAB can help to highlight a child’s strengths. Knowing their strengths will allow you to start looking at professions that will allow them to use their unique talents best.

Expose your kids to reading too. Let your children read a lot of books that can open their imaginations and open them up to new concepts and ideas. The knowledge they gain will come in handy in the future when they would need to make career choices.

3.      Discuss career options with your child

Career talk is something you should have with your child from time to time, even before they enter their teenage years. Although at that point, you are not supposed to ascertain any career for your child, you are only opening their minds up to possibilities.

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Make research on possible career paths for your child based on what you understand about their skills, interests, and weakness.

Include things like salary range, prospects, and opportunities for each profession you research. You can find information about different career fields online, at career fairs, and by consulting professionals in that field.

4.      Look outside the box

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Many career fields exist today that we knew nothing of ten years or even five years ago. For instance, Blockchain Engineering. This profession was birthed as a result of the proliferation of cryptocurrency and blockchain technology. In a few years to come, we cannot imagine the new professions and careers that would have emerged.

So, when guiding your child in choosing a career, keep your mind open and allow your child to explore new career choices away from the traditional jobs that you are used to.

The skills that would be needed for future jobs are not the same as are required now or what was required back then, so allow your child to go for new career choices as long as they are passionate about it or skilled in it.

5.      Help them learn from experiences

Once you are able to identify a possible career path for your child, then begin making efforts for them to be able to learn from people in that profession.

For instance, if your child likes to become a Data Scientist, why not look for a successful Data Scientist around you and ask them if they would be willing to talk to your child who also wants to build a career in their profession? 

It would be beneficial for your child to learn about the educational requirements and training he or she needs to have to start out in that particular career path. The child may also want to learn about the salary range, possible risks, and other prospects in the field.

In conclusion, these tips will help you provide the best guide for your child as they prepare for their future career. When you’re their support system, your child won’t feel afraid to talk to you about what they love to do with their life. As they evolve and make informed decisions based on the guidance that you provide, you will be there to help them celebrate their wins and learn from their mistakes.