Helping your children start off on the right foot
Your children have reached the point where they must make a career choice. As parents, you want to guide and encourage them in their career search. Their decisions will help shape their future
Helping your children make the right choice
As parents, you can assist your children towards a career choice.
Young people find it easier to commit to studies that correspond to their personal interests. It is important to help them determine their qualities, talents, tastes and needs. It is also important to encourage them to search on their own for information on existing careers and to find out about available programs.
To make an informed decision, your children need your help, support, and time to reflect on their future careers. Here are a few useful strategies.
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Step 1: Reflection
To help your children engage in positive and constructive reflection: |
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Be available, open to discussion and attentive. |
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Allow them to express their preferences and aspirations. |
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Help them identify their strengths. |
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Discuss with them the type of work that would suit them. |
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Draw connections between their aspirations and the realities of the job market. |
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Make them feel that you respect their choices. |
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Step 2: Action
To help your children take responsibility for their career choices:
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Encourage them to seek the help of the school's guidance counsellor, or academic / vocational information counsellor. |
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Go with them to their career-counselling appointments (if they wish). |
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Help them set career objectives. |
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Take them to different vocational training or job fairs. |
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Encourage them to attend open-house days at vocational training centres and to take part in "Student for a Day" activities. |
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Suggest that they visit a business in the field that interests them. |
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Encourage your children to take the quiz provided on this site so they can discover their occupational interest profiles. |
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