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Parents should not underestimate the influence they have on their child’s career choices and attitudes towards work.
Whether explicitly encouraging or discouraging a particular path, or implicitly passing on values through the way they talk about their own career, they can make all the difference to their child’s future success and happiness.
Experts share their best advice for mums and dads:
BE POSITIVE AND OPEN-MINDED
Raising Children Network executive director Professor Julie Green says parents are one of the main role models for children and young people so what they share about their jobs and attitudes to work will influence how their children feel about their own future working lives. “A positive attitude that reflects the different opportunities that work can open up will likely help foster similar positivity in your child,” she says.
SkillsOne Television’s Kirstin Casey agrees.
“Stay positive, balanced and open-minded in your language when discussing both vocational education and training (VET) and university,” says Casey, who is executive project manager for Skills and Thrills, a government-backed initiative that has released a free online Digital Parents Showcase covering topics from school-based apprenticeships and traineeships through to industry employment trends for the next five to 15 years.
“When discussing VET and university, remember one is not ‘better’ than the other, both are equal options that can lead to a very successful career pathway.
“Your child will be happiest and most successful if they can connect their passion to a career.”
LET THEM EXPLORE
Green says encouraging a child to follow their interests and strengths is a great way to help them think about their future career options.
Casey says parents should facilitate opportunities for their child to meet people from a range of industries.
“This could be conversations with friends (or other) adults, attending open days for TAFEs or universities, completing a pre-apprenticeship program, undertaking a school-based apprenticeship or traineeship and attending a range of careers expos,” she says.
“Children often only consider the careers they know about from those around them (so) expanding this awareness opens up your child to a range of options.”
ENCOURAGE SKILL DEVELOPMENT
Parents can help their children get a headstart on the skills they will need in the workplace.
Green recommends focusing on in-demand soft skills.
“Helping them build their problem solving and relational skills will also help to develop capabilities that will serve them well in any vocation,” she says.
Sydney freelance copywriter Courtney Snowden is already working to develop soft skills in her daughters Annabel, 3, and Eloise, 1, with her husband Todd.
“The same attitudes that will help them succeed in the workplace will also help them be good people, so we try to encourage and model empathy, curiosity, determination, resilience and independence,” she says.
“Annabel has a big, loud personality and a reputation for being a ringleader at daycare (but) she also loves building with Duplo, train sets and Connetix so who knows what she will grow up to be? She could be an actress or a world leader or an engineer.
“Eloise isn’t as extroverted but she is a daredevil. She seems to love destroying her sister’s creations so maybe she has a future in demolition.”
UPDATE YOUR OWN SKILLS
Texthelp Asia-Pacific education and technology lead Greg O’Connor says one of the best things parents can do to positively influence their child’s learning development is upskill on technology.
“Today’s kids are digital natives and have a strong preference for digital and online learning, as opposed to the textbook and pen of yesteryear,” he says.
“As such, parents need to get a handle on the technologies and tools kids are using day to day such as Read&Write, which is designed to improve literacy comprehension.”
STOP SAYING YOU HATE MATHS
O’Connor says parents and other adults need to be mindful of what they say in front of their children so they do not negatively shape their opinions.
“For example, it is not uncommon for adults to openly express their hatred of maths, or belittle their proficiency in the subject,” he says.
“This self-deprecating behaviour only perpetuates the stigma attached to maths and science of them being difficult subjects.
“Instead, parents with low confidence in these subjects should reframe the conversation to focus on finding a solution, rather than downplaying their ability.”
GIVE THEM A TASTE OF WORK
Casey says work experience opportunities allow teenagers to find out what they do and do not enjoy before making a long-term commitment to study or training.
Meanwhile, school-based apprenticeships and traineeships suit those who have clear goals and want a head start in their career while still completing their schooling.
The Skills and Thrills Digital Parents Showcase is available free until May 31.
SkillsOne will also host a video panel discussion with industry representatives on May 11 and parents can submit questions in advance via info@skillsone.com.au.
TIPS FOR NAVIGATING POST-SCHOOL DECISIONS WITH YOUR TEEN
– Show interest and ask questions about their thoughts, interests and plans – not just in relation to work, but more broadly.
– Go along to careers events at their school.
– Take them along to (university and TAFE) open days and encourage them to talk to people in different jobs to help them understand different career options that might be available.
– Let them know their working life is likely to be a journey, and they don’t need to be locked in to something just because that’s where they start off.
– Encourage them not to put too much pressure on themselves to make the “right” decision, and to explore a range of pathways that align to their interests and skills.
SOURCE: Raising Children Network executive director Professor Julie Green
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