The holiday season is a time for family, food, and conversation. Amid the festivities, many parents naturally turn their thoughts to their children’s futures, particularly their careers. However, discussing careers with young people can be challenging. The question “What do you want to be when you grow up?” often triggers anxiety rather than clarity. It’s not surprising—young people face an overwhelming number of options and decisions, making it difficult to know where to start. As well as working for over twenty years in early careers recruitment I have also had the great privilege to recently be part of the Yes Futures programme, a charity which offers young people the opportunity to have four career coaching sessions to help them navigate their career and build skills for the future. Here is what I have learnt about the key areas to focus on to help young people navigate their careers.

1. Focus on what they like doing, not just what they’re good at
The best jobs are those that align with both our strengths and our passions. Encourage your child to think about what they genuinely enjoy doing. For example:

  • What activities make them lose track of time?
  • What subjects or hobbies bring them the most satisfaction?

While it’s important to recognise their talents, the sweet spot is where their skills overlap with their interests. A person who loves writing and is good at problem-solving, for instance, might excel in roles like content creation or marketing analytics. Remind them that finding joy in work is a major factor in long-term career satisfaction.

2. Identify and build work-ready skills
Rather than focusing solely on specific job titles, talk about developing transferable skills that are valuable in any career. Traits like problem-solving, teamwork, resilience, and decision-making are in high demand. Together, explore where their skills currently stand and identify gaps they could work on. For example:

  • Problem-solving: Are there puzzles or challenges they enjoy? Could they take on a project at school or home that requires innovative thinking?
  • Teamwork: Encourage participation in team sports, group projects, or volunteering opportunities.
  • Resilience: Discuss times they’ve faced setbacks and what they learned from those experiences.

Help them brainstorm ways to gain these experiences, whether through part-time work, internships, extracurricular activities, or personal projects.

3. Find sources of information and inspiration
Career exploration becomes much easier with the right resources. Encourage your child to research careers that pique their interest and seek guidance from people already in those fields. Here are a few suggestions:

  • Tap into your network: Do you have friends, family, or colleagues who work in areas your child is curious about? Arrange for them to have a chat or shadow someone at work for a day.
  • Leverage online resources: Websites like targetjobs.co.uk and others offer valuable tools, guides, and career advice tailored to young people.
  • Look for local events: Check for career fairs or open days at universities and businesses in your area.

The goal is to help your child gather insights and inspiration while reducing the pressure of making immediate decisions.

Career conversations don’t have to be intimidating or fraught with expectations. By focusing on interests, skills, and exploration, you can turn these discussions into opportunities for connection and growth. Over Christmas, take the time to listen, guide, and encourage your kids as they navigate their future. A thoughtful conversation could be the spark they need to move forward with confidence.

If you are interested in my career navigator programme for 16-24 year olds or would just like an informal chat, then please email me at hannah@higherwoman.com

Find out more about Hannah & her work via her profile page here.

November 29, 2024