www.careerconstructionsite.com
Career discovery for youth
If you don’t know where you are going, it doesn’t matter which road you choose. Chesire Cat
When SHOULD one begin planning for a career? 12th grade? Graduation? Before enrolling in college? 1st year of college? 2nd?
The typical teenager picks electives that sound fun or easy, passes the required state exam, thinks about college or future plans (a little), thinks about friends and social events (a lot), studies subjects just enough to get by, stays under the radar of teachers and administrators (and sometimes parents), decides on a college in 12th grade just in time to apply or gives up on it, goes to prom, graduates, then says…….
The typical teenager picks electives that sound fun or easy, passes the required state exam, thinks about college or future plans (a little), thinks about friends and social events (a lot), studies subjects just enough to get by, stays under the radar of teachers and administrators (and sometimes parents), decides on a college in 12th grade just in time to apply or gives up on it, goes to prom, graduates, then says…….
Now what????
So they go to college,
don’t know what classes to take or can’t get in to the classes they want,
try to plug in to whatever social network they can, because they have not developed their own personal identity,
find they are not prepared,
then .....
start losing ground.
Grades fall, they go to class less and less, hang out with friends more, and expect things are going to be like high school where somebody comes to bail them out and help them pass the class they haven't bothered to go to. Unfortunately, they begin to learn, the hard way, college is not like high school, and there is such a thing as failure. So, they drop out and feel frustrated and defeated and rebellious,
and lost.
Parents have spent thousands of dollars for a college education, for what? A learning experience that was very, very expensive. And ....... unnecessary.
“Career indecision is prevalent among college students and is frequently experienced as a burden and associated w/ feeling of anxiety and lowered self-esteem.” Betz & Serling
Life happens fast, and this is true of school too. Students go from one grade level to another with little planning about where they are going. It is very common to hear a junior or senior in high school to say, “I didn’t know I could do that”, or “why didn’t somebody tell me that was available?”. There are good opportunities in middle and high school, and more are being offered every year, but students are missing out because their focus is on the right now, not planning for the future.
don’t know what classes to take or can’t get in to the classes they want,
try to plug in to whatever social network they can, because they have not developed their own personal identity,
find they are not prepared,
then .....
start losing ground.
Grades fall, they go to class less and less, hang out with friends more, and expect things are going to be like high school where somebody comes to bail them out and help them pass the class they haven't bothered to go to. Unfortunately, they begin to learn, the hard way, college is not like high school, and there is such a thing as failure. So, they drop out and feel frustrated and defeated and rebellious,
and lost.
Parents have spent thousands of dollars for a college education, for what? A learning experience that was very, very expensive. And ....... unnecessary.
“Career indecision is prevalent among college students and is frequently experienced as a burden and associated w/ feeling of anxiety and lowered self-esteem.” Betz & Serling
This is what careerconstruction is all about – taking advantage of options, laying out a individualized career path for each individual - saving money, time and resources. Especially in our economic times, parents, and students, do not have money to waste.
A Career Path is more than just a deciding on a career. It is finding a career direction, one which takes into account the interests and skills of the individual, but one which has the flexibility to grow and change with the individual. In 5 years, there will be jobs available we don’t even know about now, so it is impossible to prepare for them. However, if one has pursued a basic career direction, it is much easier to change or pursue training within that general direction. This helps prevents getting stuck in a career just because it was available. This also helps with maximizing education dollars. It is much more economical to pick up a few classes to pursue a new career direction instead of changing majors or having to start from scratch.
As your child discovers the path to his or her own future, he or she will be more motivated in school, which will result in higher grades, more opportunities, more recognition, less stress for parents, less stress for teachers, the school benefits, and everyone wins. But most importantly are the benefits for your child. A greater sense of accomplishment and purpose, higher self-esteem, more willingness to struggle through classes, more focus on the end result and less on the day to day drama, all because they have discovered a greater purpose – their future.
We will help prepare the foundation, then you and your child will build upon that foundation. As your child learns to do his or her own research and discovery, he or she will build study skills and communication skills, the very skills colleges and employers say students are lacking. These skills can be used all through a child’s academic career and beyond.
Consider this:
When does a professional athlete begin his or her career?
When does a musical performer hone his or her skills?
When does a doctor develop the drive and determination required to make life and death decisions?
If you don’t know, read their stories and find out when their career journey began…..
Parents:
Would your life had been different if someone had sat down with you during those turbulent adolescent years to discuss your future?
What do you want for your child?
Call 817-337-6733 for more information.
Call 817-337-6733 for more information.