These days, parents whose children are studying in the final grade or college, academic lyceum have increased concern. Is it better for the child to choose his own profession? Won't you make a mistake? Should I force him? So, we hope that the following tips will help parents who are confused by such questions.
Basic aspects in choosing a profession
It is necessary to take into account the interests of the child. Interests and abilities of a 15-year-old child become more visible. It is necessary to stimulate these interests and develop talent.
The profession should match the characteristics and abilities of the child. For example, if he reads well in literature, he may not become a physicist, if he has high performance in sports, he may not be able to write an essay well. Therefore, it is necessary to pay attention to the strengths of the child. Of course, there are those who do both, but not always.
Availability (high) of demand in the labor market for the profession to be chosen. People work not only to develop their skills, but also to earn money. So, analyze how much money people are willing to pay for which profession.
Financial situation of the family. For example, in the region where you live, there is no educational institution that prepares you for a certain profession, for this you need to send the child to a big city. Can you afford it?
Recommendations
1. "Who do you want to be?" - this is not a casual question. Sit at the kitchen table and talk to your child about his future profession.
2. If your child has not chosen a field and does not know what to do, be interested in the reason. Maybe he is hesitating, maybe he is afraid, maybe he doesn't believe in himself. Make it clear that he can trust you in any situation.
3. In the last years of school, on vacation days, the child can be involved in one or another profession: let him become an apprentice to a master, let him attend preparatory courses.
4. If you don't like the direction your child has chosen, don't choose the ways of banning, pressure, and bullying. Why did he choose this profession? Be interested in the reasons. Although the child has enthusiasm, he can make mistakes due to his inexperience. But this needs to be explained. If you force him, he will not be able to become a master of the profession you mentioned.
5. If your 14-15-year-old child doesn't do anything practical and gives in to a dream, help him clarify his goal and make a clear plan to achieve it.
6. There should be a backup option in case of failure on the chosen route. Be careful with any other profession.
Together, but not instead
Parents can help the child choose a career, but they should not choose it for him. In the past, it was enough for children to decide on a profession before finishing the 11th grade. Of course, there is a difference between the thinking of a 15-year-old and a 17-year-old. Now, as our children have to choose a profession earlier, the participation of parents will be more in this place, of course. But this participation should be in the form of advice, discussion and guidance, not pressure or harassment. Do not be afraid that he will make a mistake. A mistake is also necessary, it will be a lesson. He is still young, he will have time to correct the mistake. The worst thing is to do something you don't want to do every day. From this, the child will receive neither material benefit nor spiritual well-being. So just help him. Participation and responsibility in choosing a profession should be divided between parents and children in the ratio of 60/40, and 50/50 in the long term. Of course, more responsibility and desire is on the side of the child. A child's right choice of profession is realized only in conditions of trust between parents and a stable family environment.
7 steps to a solution
So, the task of the parents is not to force a ready-made decision on the child, but to help him make a decision himself. How can this be done?
Step 1. Write down the list of professions and their characteristics on a piece of paper. When a person chooses a profession, he chooses not only a means of livelihood, but also a lifestyle and social environment. Let the child think about what requirements his future profession should meet (whether it should bring a lot of money, whether it will be possible to advance in the career ladder faster, whether it should make his profession known, etc.). It helps to define future goals.
Step 2. What professions are there? Find answers to questions about which occupation does what. We know the common ones, for example, doctor, teacher, journalist, baker. But there are narrow specialties that are always in demand: for example, machine builders, microbiologists, nanoengineers, etc. Be interested in these too.
Step 3. Collect information! Gather information about the labor market together with your child. Various reference books, periodicals with job announcements and websites will help you in this. Think about the future of professions: in 10 years the demand for the field that is needed today may decrease. Also consider this.
Step 4. Go from talk to work. It is not good to be limited to dry conversations. We know that teenagers do not always agree with their parents. In this, the experience gained by them is more useful. If the child is interested in a certain direction, give him the opportunity to engage in this profession for a certain period of time in a club or enterprise: let him try to fix a car, make a business plan, etc.
Step 5. Have the child take career selection tests. Currently, such tests are conducted in schools, in which the child's ability, ability and way of thinking are checked for this or that profession. If such testing has not been conducted, the Internet will help. They will help to correctly evaluate the internal potential of your child.
Step 6. Organize a tour of the educational institution. Currently, the center of secondary special, vocational education and the Ministry of Higher Education hold open days in various educational institutions. Take your child to these activities. Let him decide whether he wants to study in this school or not.
Step 7. Discuss the alternatives. What will happen if he cannot enter this institute? Or if it is entered on the basis of a contract, but the funds are not found? You should have an additional option for such situations. For example, he will act next year, until then he will learn some trade. Maybe this profession will become your child's future.
In any case, do not leave the issue of choosing a profession just like that. This is the biggest mistake parents make. Forget about earning money, choosing a profession based on family traditions, or just working somewhere to avoid unemployment, you and your child! This is not a solution, but the foundation of future problems.
