There are several ways to encourage your teenager to pick a specific career.
You can offer to take aptitude and personality tests, help your teenager create an online portfolio, set an example and get a mentor.
All these methods are effective and will increase your teenager’s motivation and self-esteem.
However, it is important to remember that your teen may not be fully aware of the different careers available.
It is therefore essential that you guide your child’s career choices.
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Taking Aptitude and Personality Tests
Taking aptitude and personality tests to help your teen choose a career can be a great way to guide your teen to a specific occupation.
It can also help them to decide which trade school to attend or college to attend.
Career decisions are often stressful, and a career test can give your teen a better idea of what type of job he or she should consider.
These tests do not have right or wrong answers, and they can help your teenager identify what type of job will suit him or her.
The 123 Career Test, for example, is a career aptitude test where the user is presented with eight answers to a single question.
This is a useful test for weeding out potential careers from among the 400+ available occupations.
However, it takes about 12 minutes to complete the test. The test involves sorting through a set of tasks and activities to arrive at an accurate match.
The test does not follow the typical multiple-choice format, but instead presents a series of activities to choose the right one.
Unlike other tests, it does not involve an actual interview with a professional.
Taking aptitude and personality tests to help your teen pick a career can be helpful for both parents and teens.
Career aptitude tests can be extremely helpful for teens as they help them understand their strengths and weaknesses.
Career aptitude tests can help teenagers decide what to do after high school.
They can also help them choose a career based on their strengths and interests. The results can help them make the best choice.
The Cost Of Aptitude Tests
While some career aptitude tests are free, some are more expensive and involve more than one factor.
The goal is to help people find careers they will enjoy and be successful at. These tests can be found online and for as little as $19.
These tests are not designed to make decisions for your teenager, but rather help you understand what their strengths are.
A career aptitude test can also help you to prevent applying for a job you wouldn’t like.
Creating An Online Portfolio
Creating an online portfolio for your teenager to pick a career is a great way to showcase his or her work, but it’s not the best idea for younger students.
It’s easy to create a cluttered page, so be sure to include an introduction and a few of the best pieces.
Ask colleagues for recommendations and include images to enhance the appeal of the page. This way, employers will see what your teenager can do, and can easily see what they’ll be getting.
Using an online portfolio can show hiring managers, clients, or other business professionals that your teenager has the skills necessary for the position.
Make sure to incorporate work samples related to the desired industry. This will show that your teenager is serious about this pursuit.
A good digital portfolio will include links to a resume, as well as contact information for the students. If your teenager doesn’t have an online portfolio yet, he or she should consider building one as soon as possible.
A portfolio can include any type of work, from art to writing. It’s a great way to showcase a teenager’s personality and character while reflecting on their accomplishments.
Your teenager can also include writing samples and photos from campaigns. Creating an online portfolio will help your teenager choose a career and will open up a whole new world of possibilities.
If your teenager is serious about creating an online portfolio, he or she will have the confidence to pursue it.
A portfolio website must be easy to navigate. Don’t use fancy animations, sound that automatically plays, and backgrounds that dominate the content.
Video resumes are another way to highlight a teenager’s work and earn a living online.
Make sure the video player plays when it’s activated and is visually appealing. Also, consider adding social media widgets to your portfolio website.
The social media widgets will allow viewers to share and follow you on Twitter and Facebook.
Having A Mentor
Having a mentor can be extremely helpful when trying to guide your teen toward a career.
It can help them learn the ins and outs of their chosen field, and also give them advice about long-term career outlooks.
Mentors are also great resources for internships and volunteer opportunities.
Many industry veterans started out as teens with limited experience and would be happy to help the next generation of employees get started.
A mentor can be a parent, teacher, or a family friend who has similar interests and goals.
A mentor can provide valuable advice and support and serve as a sounding board for discussions on various subjects. Some mentors are Christian and have similar career and academic goals.
A mentor can be a strong motivator and even a prayer partner. Teenagers should look for a mentor with similar interests and values to their own.
A mentor should be the same gender as the teen, and should be someone who the teenager respects.
Mentors are great resources for children. Find a mentor that is in your child’s chosen field and ask them questions about their career.
Teenagers can benefit from hearing the stories and ideas of their parents and others who have chosen careers.
Mentors can also provide an example of what a career in that field can be like. They can be an inspiration to their children and show them that it can be a rewarding lifelong experience.
College and High School Mentorship Programs
Mentors are also available to help teens with specific problems. Colleges and high schools often host formal mentorship programs.
These programs are designed to help increase retention, improve academic performance, and guide the career exploration of students.
College mentorship programs can be particularly beneficial for students from specific groups. Effective mentors have the time and attention to devote to a student.
A mentor must also have a strong knowledge base in the field of their interest.
When choosing a career, it’s vital to discuss what kind of education your child needs to pursue their goals.
Some careers require no higher education, while others require a four-year college degree. Others require a master’s degree or even a PhD.
If the subject is uninteresting to your child, try encouraging them to explore new areas of interest.
For instance, veterinarians may be willing to let your child shadow them for a year or two before deciding what type of career to pursue.
Setting A Good Example
One way to help your teen decide what to do when they grow up is to be an example of a career that you enjoy.
When you talk about your career as a parent, you’re demonstrating a sound decision-making process that is based on evidence and standards.
Taking your child on a daily walk is a great opportunity to talk about your chosen field with him or her.
Bring up things that you find challenging, and talk about how those tasks apply to a particular career.
It can also help to ask your teen to answer questions about their future.
Asking open-ended questions about their ambitions can inspire new ideas and spark career inspiration.
Be sure to use general questions that will encourage your teen to reflect on his or her interests and strengths.
In addition to fostering an open-ended discussion, asking open-ended questions helps your teenager understand what’s important to them and what’s not.
Help Your Teen To Explore Various Interests
The first step in helping your teen decide what to do after high school is to identify a variety of opportunities and explore your interests.
You can also offer to connect your teen with someone in the industry.
Most professionals are more than happy to talk to a high school student about the job they are currently working in.
As long as the conversation is positive, this step is critical in setting your teen up for success and happiness.
In a time when our world is changing rapidly, it’s important to start setting a good example for your teenager.
Your teen’s life is about to begin without the safety net of high school, and he or she must choose a career and set goals. It’s important to be as open-minded as possible and be sure to offer advice and guidance based on your own experiences and those of others.
Final Thoughts
Besides educating your teen about the benefits of a career, setting an example by doing work you love can inspire your child to pursue it as well.
Teenagers can learn a great deal from professionals they can network with.
Asking questions and seeking guidance from others can be an effective way to motivate your teen to choose a career they’ll love.
There’s no reason not to do it.
Wishing you and your teen all the best!