As school starts again, I am busy working with young adults and their parents. I thought it might be helpful to discuss a few key issues raised by parents in considering their student’s transition from high school to higher education to work. As a parent myself, I truly appreciate it when a parent trusts me enough to work with his/her most precious asset. I firmly believe that we can give no greater gift to our children than guidance and encouragement as they face those incredibly difficult decisions about their life’s work. Here are the most common concerns I hear from parents, as well as some advice that might help you sleep better at night.
Concern One: My child does not seem excited about any careers or education.
My first question is always to ask the parents what the child seems to most enjoy. Usually from their response I begin seeing potential career fields that prize those interests. Career assessments like the ones I use synthesize the many personality strengths, talents, and interests of the student into a list of career fields wherein those strengths, talents and interests can be used. I try to encourage the parent that once a child (and even the parent) sees these results, the child often gets excited about a career identity that they had never before envisioned for themselves. Then they want to know what they can do to move toward that career.
Sidenote: In addition to the insight provided from the assessment and my expert knowledge about how to help the student understand these results, I have worked as a university instructor and administrator so I can coach the student as to how to approach college personnel, what questions to ask them, and how to approach college, in general.
Concern Two: We want our son to be a lawyer or doctor, but we don’t think his grades are good enough. What can we do?
Another tough one. What does your son think about this situation? Is he just as passionate about this profession as you are? If the answer is yes, then we can work out a plan to situate him in a position to make that dream more feasible. It may take years to come to fruition, but trust me, not all lawyers, doctors, etc. were perfect students in their younger years. If the (honest) answer to the first question is no, then we use career assessments to together find an area in which your son will excel. I firmly believe that we are all gifted in some way – differently gifted, but gifted in a way that can translate into career success.
Concern Three: We want our daughter to go to (insert name of prestigious university), but we don’t think her grades are good enough. What can we do?
What does your daughter want to study? Often the parent either looks at me perplexedly or answers, Pre-Med/Biology or Business. After realizing that the parent and the student are both unsure about choices I explain that it is critical to review career assessment results. These often reveal career choices that neither the student nor the parent has ever considered. The goal is sustained, lifetime career satisfaction. Assessment results reveal types of careers that will likely be a great fit for the student. If we can begin the college choice process by first considering the career pursued after college, the student is more likely to choose a college that is a fit for them. While it is great to attend a prestigious university, it is important to know what you want to study before you begin either spending or borrowing big money on tuition and fees.
Of course, every case is unique and merits more discussion than a blog post allows. So please, if I can help, don’t hesitate to contact us at [email protected] or (832) 4-Career. We’re here to help
Concern One: My child does not seem excited about any careers or education.
My first question is always to ask the parents what the child seems to most enjoy. Usually from their response I begin seeing potential career fields that prize those interests. Career assessments like the ones I use synthesize the many personality strengths, talents, and interests of the student into a list of career fields wherein those strengths, talents and interests can be used. I try to encourage the parent that once a child (and even the parent) sees these results, the child often gets excited about a career identity that they had never before envisioned for themselves. Then they want to know what they can do to move toward that career.
Sidenote: In addition to the insight provided from the assessment and my expert knowledge about how to help the student understand these results, I have worked as a university instructor and administrator so I can coach the student as to how to approach college personnel, what questions to ask them, and how to approach college, in general.
Concern Two: We want our son to be a lawyer or doctor, but we don’t think his grades are good enough. What can we do?
Another tough one. What does your son think about this situation? Is he just as passionate about this profession as you are? If the answer is yes, then we can work out a plan to situate him in a position to make that dream more feasible. It may take years to come to fruition, but trust me, not all lawyers, doctors, etc. were perfect students in their younger years. If the (honest) answer to the first question is no, then we use career assessments to together find an area in which your son will excel. I firmly believe that we are all gifted in some way – differently gifted, but gifted in a way that can translate into career success.
Concern Three: We want our daughter to go to (insert name of prestigious university), but we don’t think her grades are good enough. What can we do?
What does your daughter want to study? Often the parent either looks at me perplexedly or answers, Pre-Med/Biology or Business. After realizing that the parent and the student are both unsure about choices I explain that it is critical to review career assessment results. These often reveal career choices that neither the student nor the parent has ever considered. The goal is sustained, lifetime career satisfaction. Assessment results reveal types of careers that will likely be a great fit for the student. If we can begin the college choice process by first considering the career pursued after college, the student is more likely to choose a college that is a fit for them. While it is great to attend a prestigious university, it is important to know what you want to study before you begin either spending or borrowing big money on tuition and fees.
Of course, every case is unique and merits more discussion than a blog post allows. So please, if I can help, don’t hesitate to contact us at [email protected] or (832) 4-Career. We’re here to help
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