Urgent Career Guidance: Key Steps for Parents to Support Children’s Futures

UPDATE: New insights reveal urgent steps parents must take to guide their children toward fulfilling careers. Career guidance experts stress that even young children provide essential clues about their future aspirations through play.

According to Cork-based career guidance counsellor Róisín Kelleher, parents should observe their children’s interests early on. “Are they interested in making things, fixing things, building things? Are they drawn to sports, animals, or music?” Kelleher emphasizes that these early indications are vital for shaping their future career paths.

Recent research commissioned by The Genius of Play indicates that 33.3% of adults in the US believe their childhood play influenced their career choices. Furthermore, a 2014 survey from retail group Argos revealed that 60% of professionals in design-related careers enjoyed playing with building blocks as children.

Parents are urged to take these hints seriously, especially as children approach significant educational milestones. Kelleher recommends that parents begin considering their child’s career options as early as sixth class, particularly when selecting a secondary school.

“Parents should evaluate the subjects available and how the school manages subject choices,” Kelleher advises. For instance, if a child does not choose science for their Junior Cert, it could limit their future opportunities in various fields. Guidance counsellor Gemma Lawlor from Reach Guidance echoes this sentiment: “Choosing subjects in first year can significantly restrict or broaden future options.”

As students transition to their Junior Cert, critical decisions need to be made regarding their subjects for the Leaving Cert. Lawlor suggests parents ask three essential questions: What is your child good at? What do they enjoy? What might they need for future career paths?

Kelleher warns that parents must also understand the entry requirements for specific careers. “Do they need foreign languages or higher-level maths?” she asks. While she does not advocate for undue pressure, she encourages students to pursue subjects at a higher level whenever possible.

To assist in navigating these decisions, Kelleher has developed a career assessment tool tailored to Irish students. This tool helps identify suitable career paths and educational options across eight key areas, including business, IT, and apprenticeships.

Kelleher’s initiative provides personalized insights and direct links to relevant courses and qualifications, ensuring that students are well-informed about their choices. “Most career interest assessments were developed abroad. I aimed to create something that reflects Irish careers and the subjects available in our education system,” she states.

As parents seek to help their children find satisfying and enjoyable career paths, Kelleher recommends recognizing their individuality. “Help them find their first jobs, but avoid overwhelming them, especially in sixth year,” she advises.

This crucial guidance underscores the importance of parental involvement in their children’s educational journeys. With these insights, parents can help their children navigate the complexities of their future careers—ensuring they are on the right path.

For those interested in accessing Kelleher’s career assessment tool, unlimited access is available for €1.25 a week.