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.
1 Comment
Charlotte Lewington
6/3/2022 07:16:39 am
Thank you Johan for such a clear message.I appreciated you mentioning values .Values are often overlooked when making the most important choice of your life namely choosing a career.
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