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It’s that time of year again. As a parent, you need to help your Grade 9 child with their subject choices. You may wonder what the best subject combination is for your child’s unique abilities, or you might be dreading the possibility of making the ‘wrong’ choice. This can indeed be a daunting process, but it doesn't have to be. Different approaches to take with Grade 9 subject choices:  Approach 1: Play-it-Safe Choose the ‘BIG 6’ subject combination. This combination includes;
Why the Play-it-Safe Option is Good This approach allows admission to most post-school courses in South Africa, keeping many career options open, in alignment with course requirements. Why the Play-it-Safe Option Could be Restrictive This may result in being less prepared for the specific post-school course your child may choose. For example, a safe subject combination might not be as beneficial for someone interested in Business. In such cases, subjects like Business Studies, Economics, and Accounting might be more suitable. Similarly, for a medical-related career, subjects like Life Sciences, Physical Sciences, and an easier third subject that can boost the overall average might be more advantageous. Approach 2: The Master of Few  This approach involves selecting subjects that align more closely with your child's post-school career interests. It can lead to increased academic success as the course content will be more relevant to their chosen field. Since it can be difficult to know all the available careers, a career assessment career assessment can provide valuable guidance. My Own Story My mother, a psychologist, conducted my career assessment in 2002 when I was in Grade 9. She recommended several careers for me, including psychologist, teacher, and pastor. As a teenager, I thought she was out of her mind. However, I went on to work as a youth pastor, lecturer, teacher, and now a psychologist. Starting as a Theology undergraduate, I eventually worked alongside my mother for over eight years. My experience underscores the value of early exposure to various career possibilities.  Psychology Graduation Benefits of a Career Assessment in Grade 9
Is Grade 9 Too Early for a Career Assessment? Grade 9 is an excellent time for your child to explore different career options. This process can help them reach career maturity sooner. A follow-up conversation in Grade 11 or 12 can then fine-tune their choices, making the career selection process much easier. Take the Next Step Make an appointment today to support your child’s career happiness and help them make informed subject choices that align with their future aspirations. With these insights and resources, you can confidently navigate the Grade 9 subject choice process, ensuring your child is well-prepared for their future. If finances are a concern, check out my blog on Main Things to Consider When Helping Your Teenager Choose a Career, which guides you through a free process of career exploration. 
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These days it is expected of a 17 or 18-year-old to pick a career. They might be scared of choosing the wrong course or being stuck in a career that makes them unhappy. These fears are expected, thus, prioritising time to think about and allow your child to explore various fields is important for their future career happiness.  Some good news is that moving between career fields has become easier. An undergraduate degree could be seen as a starting point instead of a final career destination. In various fields, it is quite easy to jump from one field to another by doing a one-year bridging postgraduate certificate or diploma. Doing a postgraduate certificate in education after completing any NQF 7-level qualification is mostly possible, available for instance at Stadio or Pretoria University. Another example would be going into business and doing a postgraduate diploma in business administration at Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBBS) or Wits Business School (WBS). My story involved undergoing my Postgraduate studies in Psychology after completing a degree in Theology while my wife's path entailed her moving from Accounting to Education to Psychology after she completed a BCom(Law) degree. We are living proof that it is possible to move from one field to another, but we are also perhaps an illustration of individuals who had a lack of exposure to different careers early in our lives. Here are some tips to help your teenager explore various career fields;  1) Talk to people Encourage your child to have conversations with people about possible careers. Covid-19 has made it difficult to shadow people or talk to them face-to-face. However, doing this helps to get a feel for the career that your child is considering. Also inspire them to talk to people outside of your circle of influence as your child might get stuck in what family and friends know, instead of exploring the unknown. On the other hand, Covid-19 has forced all generations, young and old, to use more technologically advanced platforms, like Google Teams, Zoom, and Skype. So make use of the acceleration in technology and accessibility that has come with the pandemic. Also, try to connect with people in other countries whose experiences might broaden your view of career fields on another level. 2) Explore career options for free 2.1) Gostudy On gostudy.net your child might be able to further their understanding of different careers available at the moment. For instance, we all are familiar with a Physiotherapist; navigating through the website might introduce related careers like a Biokineticist, Chiropractor, or Osteopath (a medical specialisation not available in SA at the moment). This website describes various careers, what personal requirements you should have for the field, and tertiary institutions where you can go and study them. Not all careers are included, and the information is not always 100% accurate, but it is a great opening move for your child to explore different future careers.  2.2) Onetonline Another useful website is Onetonline.org. The website is American based and might be a bit complicated to use at times. One of the exciting aspects is the "bright outlook" categorisation, which includes careers that; are expected to grow rapidly, will provide you with job opportunities, or are emerging career fields. The website also includes requirements for the occupation, experience needed, and employee characteristics. 2.3) Youtube Motivate your child to watch Youtube clips on the careers they find interesting to identify the various contexts of how the qualification plays out in real life. For instance, here is a video on the basics of Engineering; Alternatively, your child can consider going to an Engineering week that provides exposure to the various Engineering fields. Like the University of Pretoria's Engineering Week (EBIT Week). Alternatively, allow your child to go to their local University's open days. Due to Covid-19, these might only be available online, like Stellenbosch University having an online open day earlier this year in April.
You are welcome to make an appointment today if you prefer a professional to guide you through the process of a career choice for your teenager.
From an early age, it's crucial to engage with your child to foster their career interests. While you might only be able to introduce a limited range of possible career options, starting small is still beneficial. Encourage your child to have conversations with friends and family to broaden their career curiosity. Here are some considerations to develop your child's career aspirations without financial strain: 1) Personality It's essential to understand what comes naturally to your child. Do they gain energy from being around people, or do they prefer solitude? Would they thrive in a structured job or one that's more dynamic and less desk-bound? A free personality questionnaire, like the one on 16Personalities, can be a good starting point. While the results may not always be fully accurate, they can provide valuable insights, especially with your guidance.
2) Interest Observing what magazines your child reads or what topics they frequently search on Google can reveal their interests. While these interests might not directly link to a career, they offer a valuable starting point for career development. Additionally, identifying their favourite subjects or specific aspects of subjects can highlight their passions, while less appealing subjects might indicate fields to avoid. For a more structured approach, consider using the free interest questionnaire on GoStudy. 3) Aptitude/skills Aptitude refers to a natural ability to do something. Identifying the subjects your child excels in can provide clues, though performance can vary for many reasons. Online IQ or aptitude assessments may not always be relevant to the South African context, but practical skills can be very telling. For instance, if your child has a knack for practical work, they might consider a trade like plumbing, diesel mechanics, or electrical work. Institutions like Soltech in Pretoria are dedicated to training tradespeople, addressing a critical need in South Africa.
Some countries list various trades on their critical skills occupations list, which can provide quick access to work opportunities abroad. For example, plumbing is on Canada’s list. 4) Values Understanding what your child values most in life is crucial for making a fulfilling career choice. Do they prioritize earning a high salary or helping others? Are they focused on maintaining fitness, family time, travel, creativity, career advancement, or working from home? Aligning career choices with these values ensures long-term satisfaction and balance. Other values might include travelling, creativity, variety, being able to advance in your career, or working from home. Taking the Next Step If identifying and integrating these categories seems challenging, a career assessment with a trained psychologist can provide specific guidance and options. You can make an appointment today to support your child's career happiness and ensure they make informed career choices that align with their future aspirations. In Grade 11 it is very important to create a platform for a happy and successful career. Grade 11 is the time to narrow the focus of possible careers options. This is possible through a career assessment, usually with the help of a psychologist. These assessments costs between R2000 and R6000 ($135 to $405). In Switzerland around 66% of learners aged 15 already has to know what career they want to pursue. These teenagers receive training by an employer (apprenticeship) and attends a vocational school for two days a week (click here).  Alternatively, if money is tight, have a conversation with your child about careers and encourage further career exploration. The earlier the better, of course (also read my article on Grade 9 subject choice for more tips - click here). Some benefits of doing a Grade 11 career assessment: 1. Knowing the course requirements The next few months is the ideal time for such an assessment. This may help your child align school performance with the course they find interesting. It will also help your child to know what the goal they are working towards is. For instance, reaching an Admission Points System (APS) score of 28 will allow admission to Education at Pretoria University (click here). Your APS calculation is different from University to Univerrsity; for more on how Pretoria University calculate theirs, click here).
3. Facilitating your child’s personality development Some personalities struggle to put in the long hours required to do as well as they are capable of. It might help to understand your personality’s shortfalls and develop skills to be successful at school (EQ). 4. Peace of mind  Some clients want to confirm the career they are considering. I don’t mind this, under two conditions;
i) Don’t tell me what you are considering! I would much rather confirm your option(s) during feedback. ii) Be open-minded. After some deliberation a new career or field might surprise you. During the last few years, career choices in South Africa has become more challenging. This is due to the increasing unemployment rate (35,3% - click here) as well as certain career fields becoming more competitive. Of course, career assessment can’t guarantee employment, but it provides the best starting point for careers in South Africa (or abroad). Allow me to guide you and your child to make an informed career choice. Book an appointment today (click here).  As a teenager I started working as a youth pastor in Cape Town, South Africa. I have always liked working with people, but I somehow wanted more out of my career than what I was doing at the time. I wanted skills to help people reach their personal best, which lead me to Psychology. Is it worth making a career change? In 2013, I started with my career change. Little did I know, how long the road ahead was. It was in 2018 that I finally completed my studies, what a glorious day indeed. You may ask yourself; 'Is it worth making a career change at 30?' or, for others, a career change at 20 or even 50. Look within your existing career field for alternatives, before making a career change. There may be something at your current company or within your current field that fits you like a glove. Consider moving after you have exhausted all the options within your current field. Many people have changed careers with great success. This may involve the odd uncomfortable feeling of being unsure, but you are not alone in this exciting journey. For me it was worth the effort to make the career change in my twenties. Not to say that I would not have enjoyed being a pastor, but what I do now, surpasses all initial possibilities. Using various ways to guide people to find their place and contribute to the world, is what I love about my job(s).  What do I need to consider before making a career change? Some advice before quitting your job:
When is the best time to do a career assessment?  The best time is while you or your child is still in school, Grade 9-12 (junior or senior high). This allows a teenager to become career ready and plan for their future career. This may even lead to higher motivation and performance in school. "Okay, but I'm not in school and I haven't done such an assessment before". Why not make an appointment now? Becoming an Educational Psychologist was a long journey, but now I love what I do. This makes it all worth the effort. I have gathered skills along the way and, even if I could, I would not change a thing about the path I've followed. After all, life is about more than just the destination...  What career change did you make in your life? What would you like to add?
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