Its result time for 10th and 12th grade students. Those anxious, tensed and nail biting moments are over. By this time most of the results are out and children will be stepping in another important phase of their life, higher education, which is a formal beginning of their career building process. Taking admission in right course is a key to successful career. At this crucial juncture of life many children are still wondering what to do and some cruise with confidence and move ahead. It is generally observed that, children whose parents understand and are supportive in the career building process do well.
As it is said, the journey of miles begins with a small step, the career building also starts at home. The foundation of this building is laid down by parents and they play a very important role in the architecture of this building. Children may refer to any counselor or teacher for career building but their parents, no doubt are their primary counselors.
Learning about the child is the beginning of the career building process. Who could be the better judge than parents? Parents have to learn more about their children and they are in the best position to discover the abilities and weaknesses. They can further enhance the abilities of the children or can help them to overcome any weakness by proper training by experts. In this process they can also involve teachers, as interaction with teachers is next to parents.
Career building is a process which gradually shapes the mind of children for the future challenges based on their abilities and interest. To create awareness at early stage is an important aspect of the process. This can be started as early at middle school level. However, a teen aged student may not be interested in formal discussion at this stage so it can be started by informal discussion, like, parent’s career. They can tell about their career and how they have reached current positions, important milestones, the path they chose and worked upon, good and bad points about their career etc. Parents are children’s first role model; such discussion brings early awareness in children, and helps them to have some clarity about the career path they can take.
Parents should act as guide, philosopher to the children. They should try to understand their feelings, their dreams and goals by discussing compassionately. They shouldn’t force their opinions, dreams on children; in fact they should encourage brainstorming of ideas with them in a playful manner.
Parents have to be practical and realistic about their children. They have to evaluate whether their children’s interest is genuine, not influenced by peer pressure and will suit them. Encourage them to visit fairs, exhibitions, interact with people of their interest, work in summer holidays etc.
As the children grow, parents get more clarity of their strengths, weaknesses and interest. Based on which, possibilities of different career options can be explored, without being stereotyped with particular career option. Help your child to explore variety of options, discuss the educational requirements, job requirements, duties and obligations of different occupations. After reviewing, short list the opportunities around school and higher secondary level.
Evaluating periodically, the options available with child is an important process of career building. Evaluate the short listed opportunities in context with child’s assessment, changes in economies, life style and technology. Here one can consult the professional counselors. Parents can send children for professional aptitude test to have clear understanding and to remove any confusion.
Finance also plays important role in career building. Based on inclination of child, parents have to find the estimated cost of education accordingly they have to provide for the educational expenses by smart investment planning. They can start investing in small amounts at a very early stage of child, so that lump sum amount is available at crucial stage of career and for higher education.
Modern world is very dynamic. Things are changing very fast. Yesterday’s technology becomes obsolete today. The whole concept of workplace is changing rapidly, so are the opportunities and skills required. Thus, children should explore more than one career options so that same skill set, with little improvement can be used in different occupations.
Finally, children need to have formal education and qualification for successful career. So encourage your children to stick to good curriculum with focus on studies to have formal qualification. Alongside, they can always develop other areas of interest to make life more enjoyable and worthy of living.