4 Ways to Support Your Kid’s Career Journey
Four Minute Read
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How much influence should parents exert on their kids’ careers?
According to a recent Joblist survey, almost 40% of people feel heavily pressured by their parents about their career choice.
And almost 1 in 10 Gen Zers said their parents began influencing their career choices at 5 years old or younger!
While well-intentioned, some of that influence can backfire.
Let’s break down the pros and cons of that influence and explore how they can be most helpful in their young adults’ lives.
The Pros
Parents' input and assistance may be valuable to their young adults for several reasons:
Experience and Wisdom: Having traversed life's twists and turns, parents harbor invaluable wisdom. They've faced challenges, made choices, and gained insights that can steer their children toward informed career decisions. Sharing personal experiences, highlighting lessons learned, and offering practical advice based on the trials they've overcome can serve as a guiding light.
Knowing Their Kids: No one understands a child's unique qualities better than their parents. They've witnessed their interests blossom, strengths emerge, and passions ignite. This intimate knowledge positions parents to identify potential career paths that align with their child's innate talents and aspirations. Parents can help their children embark on fulfilling journeys by recognizing and nurturing these inclinations.
Networking Opportunities: Parents, with their established networks, hold a treasure trove of connections spanning various industries. Introducing their children to these professional circles can open doors to mentorship, internships, and valuable insights. These connections can help young adults learn about different roles, understand industry dynamics, and even lead to employment opportunities. Leveraging these networks, parents become catalysts for their child's career growth.
The Cons
At the same time, there are some potential pitfalls when parents become too involved in their kids’ career journeys:
Limiting Autonomy: Hovering too closely, parents may inadvertently curtail their child's autonomy. By attempting to control every aspect of their career journey, they risk stifling independence. Young adults need room to explore, make decisions, and learn from both successes and failures. Fostering autonomy instills confidence and nurtures the ability to make sound choices.
Lack of Knowledge About Current Opportunities: In an ever-evolving job landscape, parents might not be fully aware of the diverse and innovative roles available. Relying solely on their own career experiences might lead to outdated advice. Much like parents who tap college admissions counselors for the latest intelligence on college admissions trends and standards, families often enlist the help of an expert career coach working daily with young adults navigating today’s market.
Glamour Over Fit: While high-paying or glamorous jobs may seem enticing, they're not always the best fit for every individual. Pushing children into roles that don't resonate with their interests can result in burnout or a lack of job satisfaction. Encouraging parents to consider their child's passions, skills, and work-life balance preferences ensures a better alignment between career choices and personal fulfillment.
Fulfilled or Unfulfilled Dreams: Some parents might unknowingly project their career or unfulfilled career aspirations onto their children. The pressure to pursue paths aligned with the parents' dreams can lead to resentment and a sense of unfulfillment in their young adults. Recognizing and respecting their child's unique aspirations is essential, allowing them to follow their own path and achieve genuine satisfaction.
Mismatched Skills: While they’ve certainly spent a lot of time with them, parents may not fully grasp their children's unique talents and abilities. This misunderstanding can lead to misguided career advice or suggestions that don't align with the young adult's true potential. Encouraging open communication, acknowledging the breadth of their child's skills, and aligning career recommendations with these capabilities ensures a more harmonious and successful career journey.
So How Can a Parent Best Help Their Young Adult?
Encourage Introspection: Parents can foster self-awareness in their children by encouraging deep reflection. Helping them identify their passions, values, and long-term goals provides a solid foundation for making informed career choices.
Support Exploring Possibilities: Parents should actively support their children in exploring various career paths. This involves researching different industries, attending career fairs, and engaging in informational interviews to broaden their horizons.
Promote Independence: Parents can empower their children by promoting independent decision-making. Encouraging them to take ownership of their career choices fosters confidence, resilience, and the ability to adapt to changing circumstances.
Be Supportive Cheerleaders: Parents should be their child's biggest supporters, offering unwavering encouragement. This means providing emotional support, being a sounding board for ideas, and offering guidance without imposing their own preferences.
By striking the right balance between guidance and autonomy, parents can create a nurturing environment that empowers their young adults to navigate the exciting journey of career exploration and development confidently.
Do you or someone you know need help determining what kinds of roles and companies would be great work situations? Conducting an effective job search without endlessly applying online? I coach and advise people 1:1 and in live, online group classes. Learn more about my career coaching and sign up for a free 30-minute Career Solutions Call.