Careful steps needed on teen career path

Parents can have a strong influence on high school pupils’ study and career plans, but it’s not as easy as encouraging them to “follow their dreams”.

Choosing a career as a teenager can be difficult — but spare a thought for parents.

Family members, and parents in particular, hold a lot of sway over the decisions of their teens so it is important they provide the right message and guidance.

A Twitter poll by SEEK reveals one in five Australians base their career decision mainly on advice from a parent or teacher.

SEEK resident psychologist Sabina Read says mums and dads should take on a coaching role, rather than telling their teens which career to pursue.

“Do not expect your child to follow in your footsteps,” she says. “Your pathway, strengths are going to be different.”

Read says there will be many jobs in the future that people do not yet know about so a parent’s personal experience in the past may not always be helpful.

“Encourage them to find out what else is out there so they are driving the process,” she says.

Read encourages parents to think about what gets their teen out of bed in the morning and what they spend their time talking about, then explore how associated activities can be translated into a career path.

Marion Jones says her daughter Hannah is realistic about the challenges of pursuing a career in music. Picture: Steve Pohlner

Former WorldSkills Australia chief executive Brett Judd says parents should avoid setting unrealistic expectations.

“All the evidence is starting to point towards an extended period where young Australians have been studying to pursue a career that’s over-catered for or is something that the person really doesn’t enjoy doing,” he says.

“I still say ‘follow your dreams’ but make sure you’ve done research and testing to ensure it’s your dream and not your parents’ well-intentioned, but misguided, vision of your future.”

He recommends young people look into vocations in high demand such as electrical, mechanical, heavy vehicle, engineering and welding trades.

“There’s a bunch of ICT skills (in demand, too) — cyber security, IT systems administration, software development, 3D game design, computer-aided design,” he says. He also highlights demand for healthcare and human services as the population ages, and early childhood and teaching.

Marion Jones is guiding daughter, Hannah, 14, but says: “I haven’t pushed careers. I want her to enjoy being a free child as long as she can.

“She wants to be a music star but is realistic that it doesn’t come easily. She needs a back-up plan but what that is, I don’t know. She likes writing. I think it will be something in the creative side of music.”