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Self-Questionnaire - The first step to guide your Child in Career Planning
We are always worried about our children's career path and their future. As parents, we feel that our children do not have the life experiences or self-knowledge to choose a career path that will best fit them. Sometimes, we may even unknowingly pressurize our children to choose a career that might not be suited for them. Here’s how you can help your child plan their career.
When and how to start?
- Child is 13 years or older or in high school.
- Try not to emphasize your knowledge of professions. Have an open mind while discussing career options with your child.
- Let your child identify his/her likes and dislikes.
Having a good understanding of what your child likes and what he/she is good at will give an idea of how to engage him/her in activities he/she deeply enjoys.
Prepare a Self-questionnaire for your child:
- What are you good at? (For example: reading, writing, painting)
- What do you really enjoy doing (again and again)? (For example: singing, dancing, playing outdoor games)
- What have you accomplished until now? (For example: won the best student award, developed a project, won a debate competition)
- What do you want to be when you grow up? (For example: Singer, Army Officer, Journalist, Lawyer)
- Who inspired you to choose _____as a career? (For example: your father, mother, teacher, sibling, friend )
- What do you need to achieve your goal? (For example: money, education/training, location)
- How many years of study/training is required to achieve your goal? (For example: 5 years, 6 years, 7 years)
- Whom do you need to talk to, in order to gather more information? (For example: an expert in that particular field)
Next Steps:
- Jointly explore shortlisted professions: nature of work, educational qualifications required, expected growth path and the companies that they would be working based on the career choices.
- Research about courses in colleges.
- Help them in conducting research about a successful person in shortlisted professions.
- You can also talk to your child about your career, educational background, your influencers, etc. At this point of discussion with your child, it is also important to talk about each job you’ve held and how it prepared you for the next one.
Finally, as a parent, you need to help them understand that, the only person who can choose their career is themselves.
