Parents as Influencers – Career Influencers That Is!

One minute you’re waving a tearful farewell as you drop your five-year-old off at school for the first time. Then the next, they’re sitting final high school exams and preparing to walk out the school gate for the last time ever!

In the years leading up to ditching the school uniform, there is much that you can do, say and share with your teen that can have career-long implications. These can be for better or for worse, regardless of your good intentions. We all want the best for our kids, so how do we support the transition to a world beyond the school gate? If you are not sure how to approach this important transition, read on for some of my best tips on supporting your teen in finding a career path that’s the best fit for them.

Then and Now

As a parent or caregiver, you have enormous influence over the career choices of your teen, particularly between the ages of 15 to 24. What should be front of mind, however, is that the digital age has dramatically transformed the world-of-work and things look vastly different than they did when you left school, regardless of how many years (or decades!) ago that was. Keep in mind that the advice that worked for you will now be outdated and that the advice you choose to share with your teen is based on your own experiences and reflect your own points of view.

Get Informed About the World-of-Work

There are many ways to boost your knowledge about the modern world-of-work. You may need to get researching, activate subscriptions, keep abreast of current affairs, attend open days and/or expos or tap into your network for some up-to-date knowledge and extra support! That way, any guidance you do provide will be well placed and current.

Alternatively, you could choose to partner with a Career Coach to help your teen identify a career pathway that lights them up. That is exactly what I do here at Career Logic.

The Benefits of an Active Network

Thankfully, you don’t need to have all the answers. Nor do you need to be the only career influencer for your teen. Make use of your wider community to identify potential mentors, role models and bridging people that can help expand your teen’s world and work views. Even if you don’t know much about an area of interest your teen is pursuing, you will likely know someone who does. Get connecting.

Take a Strengths-Based Approach

Did you know that research has found that awareness of character strengths is beneficial in terms of experiencing more positive emotions, enjoying greater mental and emotional wellbeing as well as the ability to better tackle life’s challenges? If not, then start identifying and naming your teen’s strengths, build their knowledge in this area and always encourage them to focus on what’s strong.

Promoting ongoing engagement in cocurricular and extracurricular activities in order to develop latent talents, interests and passions is a great tool in developing your teen’s sense of identity. If they aren’t quite sure what those activities are yet, then get out there and start exploring with them! Who knows, you might all end up with new interests.

Promote After School Employment

Your teen probably doesn’t realise it yet but after school employment is an excellent way to learn about the world-of-work. Agreed, it is a juggling act when combined with their other commitments, however, the experience will pay future dividends.

Some of the benefits include increased independence and a sense of responsibility, honing time management and communication skills, plus getting a handle on managing finances! It’s also a great way to explore different career options, boost self-confidence and start building a supportive network.

Whether it be through volunteer work, part-time employment, holiday contract work or tapping into the gig economy, part-time employment is an invaluable experience for your teen and will aid in their transition from childhood to adulthood.

Trust Your Teen

As a parent or caregiver, you need to trust that your teen wants to create a life of their choosing. Of course, you want the best for your teen, but so do they!

Be open-minded and supportive of their plans and aspirations. Remember, they are not you, and may not get fulfilment from following the career path you did. Stay relaxed, have faith in your teen, and most importantly, act as a reliable guide and enabler.

Time flies, and before you know it, your teen is talking careers and preparing for life in the adult world. As a parent or caregiver, never underestimate the considerable influence you exercise when it comes to the career choices of your teen – even if you feel like your teen doesn’t listen to you half the time!

If you feel like you need a little support in helping your teen transition to the next phase of their life, get in touch for a free, no-obligation chat to discuss their aspirations and challenges and how career exploration coaching can help. Book a convenient time to chat now.

What’s Next?
Let’s talk about how career exploration coaching can enhance your self-knowledge, increase your opportunity awareness and inspire purposeful action. Three key components in the identification of a meaningful and satisfying career pathway.
Bronwyn Wilde Portraint Picture

Meet Bronwyn Wilde

Career Coach, Auckland, Specialising in Career Exploration

Whether you’ve had a career break, transitioning from education or contemplating a career change, you deserve a fresh perspective – that’s where I come in. I know firsthand how challenging and daunting it can feel to successfully identify a meaningful and satisfying career. I created Career Logic as a coaching space dedicated to helping you, the career explorer, transition confidently into or within the modern world-of-work. Together, we’ll explore and discover a career pathway that can lead you to an exciting and satisfying future.
MBTI Certified Logo

Parents as Influencers – Career Influencers That Is!

One minute you’re waving a tearful farewell as you drop your five-year-old off at school for the first time. Then the next, they’re sitting final high school exams and preparing to walk out the school gate for the last time ever!

In the years leading up to ditching the school uniform, there is much that you can do, say and share with your teen that can have career-long implications. These can be for better or for worse, regardless of your good intentions. We all want the best for our kids, so how do we support the transition to a world beyond the school gate? If you are not sure how to approach this important transition, read on for some of my best tips on supporting your teen in finding a career path that’s the best fit for them.

Then and Now

Coaching is a structured, yet collaborative, process designed to equip you with the knowledge and tools you’ll need to identify a career pathway of your choice. Your investment in the coaching partnership is an important step in a lifelong commitment to yourself to live a life that is powered by clarity, energy and fulfilment in your work and in your contribution to the world.

Whatever your age or career stage, I offer a coaching package designed to support you to confidently identify a career pathway that can lead to a satisfying and rewarding future.

Get Informed About the World-of-Work

There are many ways to boost your knowledge about the modern world-of-work. You may need to get researching, activate subscriptions, keep abreast of current affairs, attend open days and/or expos or tap into your network for some up-to-date knowledge and extra support! That way, any guidance you do provide will be well placed and current.

Alternatively, you could choose to partner with a Career Coach to help your teen identify a career pathway that lights them up. That is exactly what I do here at Career Logic.

The Benefits of an Active Network

Thankfully, you don’t need to have all the answers. Nor do you need to be the only career influencer for your teen. Make use of your wider community to identify potential mentors, role models and bridging people that can help expand your teen’s world and work views. Even if you don’t know much about an area of interest your teen is pursuing, you will likely know someone who does. Get connecting.

Take a Strengths-Based Approach

Did you know that research has found that awareness of character strengths is beneficial in terms of experiencing more positive emotions, enjoying greater mental and emotional wellbeing as well as the ability to better tackle life’s challenges? If not, then start identifying and naming your teen’s strengths, build their knowledge in this area and always encourage them to focus on what’s strong.

Promoting ongoing engagement in cocurricular and extracurricular activities in order to develop latent talents, interests and passions is a great tool in developing your teen’s sense of identity. If they aren’t quite sure what those activities are yet, then get out there and start exploring with them! Who knows, you might all end up with new interests.

Promote After School Employment

Your teen probably doesn’t realise it yet but after school employment is an excellent way to learn about the world-of-work. Agreed, it is a juggling act when combined with their other commitments, however, the experience will pay future dividends.

Some of the benefits include increased independence and a sense of responsibility, honing time management and communication skills, plus getting a handle on managing finances! It’s also a great way to explore different career options, boost self-confidence and start building a supportive network.

Whether it be through volunteer work, part-time employment, holiday contract work or tapping into the gig economy, part-time employment is an invaluable experience for your teen and will aid in their transition from childhood to adulthood.

Trust Your Teen

As a parent or caregiver, you need to trust that your teen wants to create a life of their choosing. Of course, you want the best for your teen, but so do they!

Be open-minded and supportive of their plans and aspirations. Remember, they are not you, and may not get fulfilment from following the career path you did. Stay relaxed, have faith in your teen, and most importantly, act as a reliable guide and enabler.

Time flies, and before you know it, your teen is talking careers and preparing for life in the adult world. As a parent or caregiver, never underestimate the considerable influence you exercise when it comes to the career choices of your teen – even if you feel like your teen doesn’t listen to you half the time!

If you feel like you need a little support in helping your teen transition to the next phase of their life, get in touch for a free, no-obligation chat to discuss their aspirations and challenges and how career exploration coaching can help. Book a convenient time to chat now.

What’s Next?
Let’s talk about how career exploration coaching can enhance your self-knowledge, increase your opportunity awareness and inspire purposeful action. Three key components in the identification of a meaningful and satisfying career pathway.
Bronwyn Wilde Portraint Picture

Meet Bronwyn Wilde

Career Coach, Auckland, Specialising in Career Exploration

Whether you’ve had a career break, transitioning from education or contemplating a career change, you deserve a fresh perspective – that’s where I come in. I know firsthand how challenging and daunting it can feel to successfully identify a meaningful and satisfying career. I created Career Logic as a coaching space dedicated to helping you, the career explorer, transition confidently into or within the modern world-of-work. Together, we’ll explore and discover a career pathway that can lead you to an exciting and satisfying future.
MBTI Certified Logo

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