An overseas educational institution polled 2,000 parents of secondary school students. More than two-thirds admitted feeling lost in what researchers dubbed ‘job fog’ when it came to guiding their 11-18-year-olds through career planning. Many felt overwhelmed when their children expressed interest in careers they themselves knew little about. In fact, over 75% of parents even believed they were almost entirely unequipped to offer meaningful career advice.
Anne, a parent of 18-year-old Leon, was left scratching her head when her son announced he wanted to become a UX (User Experience) designer. Anne spoke frankly that she totally had no idea what that was about in the first place, ‘I was wondering whether it was fashion design, computer programming, or some kind of mountain bike brand.’ She said confusingly, ‘I thought I was supposed to open doors for my child, but how I do that when I don’t even understand what those doors lead to?’
Parents’ Role: To build a Safety Net for Your Children
Teenagers often face intense anxiety when thinking about their future, especially in the face of uncertainty. Many worry that failing to secure an ideal job immediately after graduation might leave their parents disappointed. To help ease this pressure, The University of Queensland Australia has recommended parents create a ‘safety net’ for their children, encouraging them to explore career options freely, without being burdened by the pressure of expectations. Here are a few practical actions parents can take:
1.Keep the conversation open, encourage children to think deeply about how they want to shape their life;
2.Empower them to dream big and remind them it is perfectly normal to explore multiple careers over a lifetime;
3.If their current course does not feel right, reassure them that switching programmes, delaying graduation, even changing programme or university is not a failure;
4.Expose them to a variety of activities to explore different fields and broaden their horizons;
5.Help them identify their strengths, remind them of the skills and interests they excel in. You might even suggest a personality test to guide them toward suitable career choices.
6.Lead by example—show enthusiasm and a positivity in your own work. Demonstrate that it is possible to find joy and pursue what they truly enjoy in the future.
Five Thoughtful Questions to Spark Career Conversations
When discussing the future with your child, asking the right questions can open the door to meaningful reflection and help them gain clarity. Here are five open-ended prompts parents can use to guide the conversation:
1.‘Do you think about your future much and what aspects do you think about?’
Use open-ended questions to spark your child’s reflection and share a broader perspective.
2.‘What are your dreams and aspirations?’
Figure out whether your child already has goals they wish to pursue.
3.‘How big of a role do you want your work to play in your life?’
Useful for narrowing down career choices based on lifestyle expectations and values.
4.‘Where do you see yourself in 10 years?’
A classic job interview question that helps your child to clarify long-term career aspirations.
5.‘What activities do you do at the moment that give you energy?’
A key question for identifying potential career fields that align with passion and motivation.