TEENAGERS PICKING THEIR PROFESSIONAL CAREERS

There seems to be a big push today to decide in High School, and even middle school, a career path. This is certainly the course in some European systems but no so much here. I recently spoke with a High School Freshman who was distraught because her father had told her the different interests she had would not be good career choices. The future she saw was working in a cubical and being unhappy for the rest of her life. I believe we need to help our children look at their gifts and talents and think about their future but at times we try to lock them in too early to a career choice. In middle school and high school they need to be exploring their gifts and talents to find out what they are good at. If they know they want a certain career that is certainly fine. My oldest daughter knew she would be a vet since she was very young. I didn't encourage or discourage this but supported her. As a junior in high school she worked part time for a vet and determined that mostly vets spayed and neutered dogs and cats and she would be bored. This was a crisis of identity for her. She navigated the waters of this crisis and did fine but she had embraced being a vet as part of who she was. If your teen does not yet know what they really want to do please don't worry. Help them find opportunities to find out what their gifts and talents are. This will help. I also believe that in college they are exposed to many new things and that opens door they may not have known were there. Relax, enjoy the ride.

Comments

[carers sydney]

You are right. Let them choose the careers they want. Support and guide them towards a better decision.

[Sharon Cook,m LCSW, LMFT]

You have made some great comments. IT is helpful to hear from readers. Sherri

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