I have no doubt you want the best for your children. Chances are you spend countless hours supporting them at sporting events, with dance classes, music lessons, academic tutoring, scouting activities and lots more. But how much time do you spend helping your kids explore careers?
It’s too soon, you say? Or perhaps you’re waiting for the school guidance counselor to take the lead?
In some cases career exploration is a high school counselor’s fourth priority behind (1) helping students schedule classes, (2) preparation for college and standardized tests and (3) dealing with student behavior issues and personal development. For that reason, it gets little attention.
Not surprisingly, research shows that students make uninformed career decisions. A recent Gallup poll indicates 70% of U.S. workers don’t like the work they do. An estimated 75% of college students change their majors at least once. And 57% of college graduates say they chose their major because it would land them a higher paying job – not career satisfaction.
We’ve all heard the horror stories of college graduates regretting their major and wishing they had made a more appropriate decision – after starting work!
So what can caring parents do? Can you help your child make better career decisions based on research, self-reflection and awareness of their own personal goals?
If your child said they wanted to be a (you fill in the blank), could you provide the support and guidance they need?
Should your child’s school or other organization (PTA, church, community association, etc.) want to host a local workshop, contact me for more details at 410-382-0697 or janet@careersareus.info
Sincerely,
Janet Blount
410-382-0697
