Tips for parents of high school students
Below you will find suggestions for how you can be involved in your teen’s career development at this age level. For additional detail, more suggestions, information, and activities, explore other sections of this Web site.
Common characteristics you might observe in your adolescent:
- Develops a sense of self-identity
- Begins a more prominent and realistic work/career search
- Develops a concern with social issues
- Matures sexually with physical and emotional changes
- Increases independence
Career-related development you can support:
- Understand how individual personality, abilities, and interests relate to career goals
- Understand how education relates to college majors, further training and/or entry into the job market
- Demonstrate transferable skills that can apply to a variety of occupations and changing work requirements
- Be able to use a wide variety of career information resources
- Show responsible decision making
Other ways you can help:
- Help your child make independent decisions.
- Encourage exploration of all kinds of post-secondary education opportunities.
- Involve yourself in your child's future planning.
- Give certain economic responsibilities.
- Encourage job awareness.
- Be flexible as the decision-making process evolves. It takes patience and numerous modifications.
Adapted from the American School Counselor
Association's
article, "Building Your Child's Future Together," at http://www.schoolcounselor.org/content.asp?contentid=226