How To Prepare Teenagers For Their Future – Advice From A Parent Who’s Been There
As someone who has spent a fair amount of time advising teenagers, brothers and my own kids, on their future, I can attest to how difficult this task can be. While it may seem simple enough to just offer some guidance and advice, the reality is that there are so many different factors to consider that it can quickly become overwhelming.
One of the biggest challenges when advising teenagers is that many of them simply don’t know what they want to do yet. They may have a few vague ideas or interests, but they may not have any concrete plans or goals in mind. In these cases, it can be difficult to provide any sort of specific guidance, as there simply isn’t much to work with.
Another challenge is that teenagers are often under a lot of pressure to make decisions about their future, whether it’s from their parents, their peers, or society in general. This can make them feel like they need to have everything figured out right away, which can be incredibly stressful and overwhelming.
On top of all this, there are a multitude of different career paths to consider, each with its own set of pros and cons. Some careers may be more financially lucrative, while others may be more personally fulfilling. Some may require extensive education and training, while others may not require any formal education at all.
Also, as a father, keep in mind the fact that the job market is transforming. Many careers that were in high demand just a few years ago may be on the decline now, while new fields are emerging all the time. This can make it difficult to provide guidance that will remain relevant and helpful over the long term.
Another challenge is that teenagers may not have a good sense of what a particular career is really like in practice. They may have a romanticized view of what it means to be a doctor or a lawyer, for example, without understanding the day-to-day realities of those professions. This can lead to unrealistic expectations and disappointment down the line.
As a father, it’s important to try to understand each of your kids’ unique situation and goals, and to provide guidance that is tailored to their specific needs. This means taking the time to understand them, to understand their interests and skills, and to help them explore different options and opportunities.
It’s also important to be realistic about the challenges and obstacles that may arise along the way. Teenagers may need to navigate financial barriers, family expectations, and societal pressures as they work to achieve their career goals.
The Game Plan
- Start with an open mind: It’s important to approach the advising process with an open mind, and to avoid making assumptions about what the teenager should or shouldn’t do. This means listening carefully to their interests and goals, and helping them to explore a wide range of career options. Just talk to your kids! At this stage, they need a friend more than a father to help them.
- Help them identify their strengths and weaknesses: Before they can choose a career path, teenagers need to have a good sense of their own strengths and weaknesses. This means helping them to identify their skills, interests, and personality traits, and to understand how these factors can be applied to different careers. This stage can be hard, as they also may have a false expectation of their capability. In this stage, you just need to listen to them and don’t judge them. Share your own stories and stories of people who you know. That might help them understand themself better. Be a storyteller.
- Provide information and resources: Once you have a good sense of the teenager’s interests and abilities, it’s important to provide them with information and resources that can help them to explore different career options. This may include career assessment tools, job shadowing opportunities, or access to online resources and job postings.
- Encourage exploration and experimentation: It’s important for teenagers to have the opportunity to try out different things and to gain hands-on experience in different fields. This may mean encouraging them to take on summer jobs, volunteer work, or part-time jobs in areas that interest them.
- Provide guidance and feedback: As the teenager begins to explore different career options, it’s important to provide guidance and feedback to help them make informed decisions. This may mean discussing the pros and cons of different career paths, or providing realistic feedback on their abilities and strengths.
- Help them create a plan: Once the teenager has a good sense of their interests and abilities, it’s important to help them create a plan for achieving their career goals. This may involve researching educational programs, networking with professionals in their desired field, or creating a timeline for achieving specific milestones.
- Support and encourage them: Finally, it’s important to provide ongoing support and encouragement to the teenager as they work towards their career goals. This may mean checking in regularly to see how they’re doing, providing emotional support during difficult times, and celebrating their successes along the way.
Advising your own teenagers on their future careers is a complex and challenging task. It requires patience, empathy, and a willingness to listen and understand. While it can be difficult at times, it’s also incredibly rewarding to see your own kids discover their passions and achieve their goals, and to know that you played a small part in helping them along the way.
