I really want to help them make the best choice – what can I do?’
Students are generally under-prepared for making big decisions about the things that will affect their lives and career development in what seems like the far future. They don’t have the working or life experience that you have, and so often they won’t understand your suggestions or concerns.
Also, whether you’re aware of it or not, you’re already a major influence on their choices. Every time you talk about a job, the day you’ve had or the people you work with, you influence their thinking processes.
What this site aims to do is give students the tools they need to make important choices and to inspire them to realise there’s a lot more to their interests than they think.
It may seem intuitive to encourage children to pursue what they are already good at and prioritise their skills over their interests. However, when they’re interested and passionate about something, it’s easier for them to gain the skills required to succeed in that field than it is to develop interest in another. Interests really are important and can highlight a satisfying future direction.
Take a look at some of our videos and see how other people turned their interests into rewarding, well-paid careers.
How can I help them to make decisions?
It’s important that your child or student own their decisions. Being ready to make important decisions is a skill in itself – one that requires confidence. Therefore you can support them in the decision making process by making them aware of the impact of their choices and ensure they’ve seen the widest possible range of options, some of which may not always be apparent.
It’s also important to recognise where you can help and where you should either pull back, or seek some external sources of advice for your child or student. Pushing your own ideas or beliefs about what they ‘should’ do can hinder their confidence in decision-making. Your guidance is important, but should be supportive, rather than directive.
The following talking points can help you work with your child or student to build a strong discussion about their future:
- What do they think they are good at?
Every career choice requires an application of skills and knowledge. Make sure that your child or student recognises what skills they have and what skills they may need, as well as the reassurance that they can learn new skills.
- What are they interested in?
Practically any interest can be developed into a career. Thanks to the diverse range of careers and pathways open to a young person these days, even interests that may seem really trivial or frivolous to an adult, can blossom into a career that is hugely satisfying. We suggest you take a look at the stories of our Career Ambassadors. Each one started with an interest which grew into a career.
- What’s the most important thing to them?
Just like you, your child or student will have an opinion about what’s important, though they might not always articulate it well. Helping them to understand what they value, then match it to a job or a career path can really help them to discover more about themselves and gain understanding about roles or industries they’re really interested in.
- Would they benefit from experience?
Practical things like work experience are fantastic for kids to see what they want to do. Whether it’s a short-term placement while they’re at school, some volunteer work, or a part-time job where they learn general skills, problem solving and communication skills, it’s a really good way to get a taste for working life. Try and help them get some work experience that will motivate and interest them.
You can also help by knowing about the key industries in South Australia, and some of the opportunities that will be available in the future.
Want some support?
If you’re a parent some of the following sites may be useful:
myfuture
Learning and networks
The Job Guide
Vocational Education Training
Apprenticeships
UniSA Parents Guide
Extra info for Teachers
Students can use the resources on this site in many ways, from learning more about themselves, being inspired or simply adding value to their Personal Learning Plan. We also have SACE approved worksheets to offer you as a helpful resource in your teaching.
Alternatively, why not have one of our Career Ambassadors visit your students? Link to AdvantageSA to book someone in.
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