For example, some children really have a knack for technology. If this is the case, a career in an IT field might be a great fit.
3. Expose your child to a variety of activities to see what piques their interest
Give your child opportunities to try new things. Expose them to nature, the arts, science, museums, animals, travel, people… There are so many ways to enjoy activities together. Pay attention to what piques her interest. If there is a subject she is curious about or she shows excitement toward, encourage her to learn more about that topic. Encourage your child to volunteer or try a part-time job in her desired fields. Oftentimes, the decision to choose a certain line of work comes gradually, as people continue to explore their interests more deeply.
4. Schedule a meeting with your child’s school guidance counselor
Guidance Counselors often have career assessment tools that can help to narrow down career fields. They will also have a record of your child’s grades and school achievements which might aid your discussion with your child. You can ask your child’s guidance counselor: “Do you know of any particular tools that we could use to explore career opportunities for my child?”
5. Discuss what tasks are deal breakers
Everyone has a task or set of tasks that they want to avoid at all costs. You should be upfront with your child to recognize what these things are for them. Knowing what she does not like doing will help her steer clear of professions that heavily expect her to do things she dislikes. Bring up tasks that you know your child struggles with and discuss how she might apply them in a career. For example, you might say something like “I know you complain about your math homework every night. Are you sure you want to be an accountant?”