This is a contributed post by Jean Eddy, the President and CEO of American Student Assistance® (ASA) and author of Crisis-Proofing Today’s Learners: Reimagining Career Education to Prepare Kids for Tomorrow’s World”
For most of us who parent or guide young people, the transition from tweens to teens can be daunting. From navigating social media to increasing struggles with mental health and isolation, the list of things to worry about and stay on top of is long.
One challenge that many parents face is students who lack direction or motivation regarding “what’s next. Too many students are leaving American high schools burdened by a high level of uncertainty about their future. This is evidenced by the estimated 10 million “opportunity youth” between the ages of 16 and 24 who are neither employed nor in school.
With the cost of college skyrocketing and a changing landscape for today’s workers, how can parents keep their adolescents motivated without becoming overbearing?
Career Exploration Should Begin in Middle School
Too few students and parents realize that middle school is the ideal time to discuss the many different and rewarding career paths their kids can take that include college and other opportunities. As middle schoolers begin learning what lights them up, parents and educators have an opportunity to introduce kids to jobs that can be fulfilling and pay the bills.
Think it’s too early? Our research from American Student Assistance® shows that 87 percent of middle schoolers are interested in matching their skills and interests with potential careers, and 85 percent of students want to learn more about the requirements for those careers.
By the time teens hit their senior year, most are overwhelmed with more challenging schoolwork, relationships, extracurriculars, the pressure of getting into college, or simply not knowing what to do next (Some 80% of educators now agree that high schoolers are “overwhelmed” with education and career decision-making.) In fact, less than half of Gen Z said they had enough information to decide what post-high school pathway was best for them.
While parents can play a significant role in helping young people focus on career exploration, too often, they fall into the trap of telling them what their careers should be, even if it’s not something that remotely appeals to the young person. What’s missing is information that opens doors and helps young people make informed, confident decisions.
Finding Purpose with a Salary and the Role of Ikigai
One of the concepts I turn to when I think about helping a young person find a career that’s right for them is the Japanese term “Ikigai.” This translates to finding a career that aligns with what you love, what you do best, what you’ll be compensated for, and what the world needs.
Here are some proven strategies to help students begin exploring careers while time is on their side.
1. Notice their passions and hobbies.
Deciding what career path to follow should flow naturally from the learner’s strengths and interests. Parents need to notice what captures their child’s attention and talk with them about it. Ask questions. Notice what they talk about, what they do in their free time, and what gets them out of bed–and use this as a launchpad to explore career options that relate to those passions or hobbies. Maybe someone who is obsessed with Oscar gowns and celebrity clothing could explore a career in fashion design. A student who always advocates for a cause could explore careers in the nonprofit sector.
Related: Dear Tweens and Teens: You Don’t Have to Compete to Love Something
2. Help kids seek out free, high-quality digital career readiness resources.
Adolescents use their phones and laptops for everything, so why not use them to explore careers? There are numerous high-quality interactive digital platforms that introduce young people to a range of careers and help them explore those that align with their strengths and interests. These include self-assessments that guide students to careers they may never have thought of or imagined. Have your child take the lead in doing the initial exploration and then get involved in helping them look at options. The sooner you start being partners, the better. A few options to take a look at include:
- EvolveMe: https://evolveme.asa.org/
- Futurescape: https://futurescape.asa.org/
- Next Voice: https://nextvoice.asa.org/
3. Let them put their hands on a future career.
Older teens can access other digital platforms that help them develop real-world skills by giving them a space to advocate for causes they care about and build valuable communication, leadership, and collaboration skills. Other tools encourage teens to explore fields of interest through skills-building activities, virtual internships, career mentorships, offering rewards for actions that move them closer to their goals. Many employers also offer short-term shadowing options for high schoolers so they can see what a day-in-the-life of certain professions offers.
4. Learn about multiple rewarding postsecondary paths, including non-degree options.
College has become our nation’s default, but there are many exciting post-high school education and job options available. These range from trade school and professional certificate programs, both of which are soaring in enrollment, as well as the military, taking a gap year, apprenticeships, or entrepreneurship. Many of these options give young people with specialized interests a chance to enter the workforce earlier than those pursuing four-year degrees. Parents and caregivers should also be aware of research-backed information on the best launchpad jobs that provide the greatest career agility, stability, and upward mobility for young people who plan on entering the workforce straight out of high school.
Related: There Is No One Path When It Comes to Your Child’s Future
In order to best guide tweens and teens and help them prepare for their futures, they need access to opportunities to explore a wide range of career possibilities, opportunities to test and try on careers through hands-on learning, and access to the information, including free digital resources, to help them navigate their own path after high school that’s right for them.
Jean Eddy is President and CEO of American Student Assistance® (ASA), author of “Crisis-Proofing Today’s Learners: Reimagining Career Education to Prepare Kids for Tomorrow’s World” (Rowman & Littlefield, 2023), which addresses the epidemic of young people leaving high school who are not prepared for what comes next. Eddy is also co-host, along with Michael B. Horn, of Youth Career Readiness: The One-Question Podcast, which features celebrities and notable luminaries on career advice and insights for tweens and teens.
Parenting Teens and Tweens is hard, but you don’t have to do it alone. These posts may help:
Three Simple Tasks You Should Transition to Your Teens Today
How to Make College Your Superpower
10 Hidden Benefits of Community College You May Not Have Considered
Should Your Teen Take a Gap Year? Here Are 9 Solid Reasons to Answer Yes
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