Talking to Your Child About Future Careers

Tired of eye roll responses when you bring up career discussions? The way you approach talking to your child about selecting a career path can have a big influence on their ability to choose wisely and ensure they come out of school with marketable skills and multiple job prospects. Need some help getting your conversation started? Here are a few suggestions on questions you can ask NOW to help your child gain some insight into careers that may be a fit:  

We recommend breaking the canned questions habit of asking your younger child or high school student what he wants to do when he grows up. Instead, consider more insightful questions like, “What gives you energy?” Or, “What kinds of problems do you like to solve?” Or, “What makes time fly by for you?”

By exploring open-ended questions like these in a bit more of a practical (non-aggressive) way, you’ll begin to receive valuable insight into potential careers that may be a natural fit. You may also gain a reputation for being a great conversationalist, which will earn you big points at your next family reunion or dinner party. Career discussions aren’t just for students—this is a topic everyone can relate to because as adults, we are always evaluating ways to achieve greater career satisfaction.

Do you notice your child “light up” when he talks about a certain subject? This is a great indicator of passion, and career satisfaction is all about doing work you’re passionate about—or more specifically, doing work that is stimulating and meaningful.

Start career conversations early and keep them short and casual. Listen for common themes, notice hobbies, and pay attention to things that hold your child’s interest for an extended period of time. If your child isn’t sure how to parlay these things into a career—it’s time to do a little researching. Think of jobs that might use some of the skills or interests that come naturally to your child and then scope out people you know who might be in jobs that use those skills. Job shadows are a great way to test potential careers to see if they might be a good fit.

Know a recent college graduate who needs a little help jump-starting a career? Networking is by far the best way. Most jobs come through leads from people you already know. So, if you’re in the job market—it’s time to be social! The more people you tell about your job search, the better. If your graduate needs a little push in the right direction, check out our blog, 10 Job Search Tips for College Grads.

Happy Job Hunting!