- my iParenting
- quick clicks
- preteenagers today articles
- preteenagers today q&a
- teenagers today articles
- teenagers today q&a
- message boards
- research baby names
- prepare a birth plan
- content channels
- ip channel rss feeds
- read birth stories
- read parenting stories
- recommended books
- e-newsletters
- safety recalls
- ip diaries
- ip store
- mom of the month
- dad of the month
- editor's letter
- letters to the editor
 |
- e-newsletters
- Sign up to receive our free weekly e-newsletters
- award-winning products
The iParenting Media Awards program helps parents find the best products for their families.
Parents as Career Counselors
Leading the Way With a Helping Hand
By Sharon Waldrop
When a 4-year-old is asked, "What do you want to be when you grow up?" the answer can be somewhat amusing. It is usually based on how a young child sees the world through discovering eyes. My young son said to me last week, "When I grow up, I want to work at Discovery Zone and pass out the laser guns in the Godzilla laser tag room." A true example of the world in the eyes of a child who has yet to experience kindergarten.
Tomorrow, his career quest will be different as he discovers something new in the world around him (although Discovery Zone and Godzilla will always have a special place in his heart).
But by the time they become teenagers, kids have experienced enough of the world around them to realize what appeals to them and what doesn't. Through role models, the adults in their lives and even television and movies, today's teens do not need to search too far beyond their boundaries for future career ideas compatible with their personalities, interests and abilities.
As parents, we can enlighten our teens about the world outside of textbooks, CDs, trips to the mall and gym class. The first step is hearing your teen say something such as, "I want to go to medical school." That's your cue to encourage your teen to seek out the reality of the profession he wants to pursue.
My teenage daughter announced last year that she would like a career in the medical field. As of today, she still has that desire. It's safe to assume this may be something she is serious about (or perhaps she has just seen too many episodes of "Trauma: Life in the E.R."). But considering that her favorite singer changes with the tides, her year-long interest in the medical profession is an eye-opener.
