Career Discussions and Planning: WHEN to Start ... WHAT to do ?

Career choice and planning are crucial aspects of a student's life, as it can shape his future and career prospects. It is important to start the thought process and planning early to ensure that the student has enough time to explore their options and make informed decisions.

The thought process for career choice should begin as early as between grade 6 to grade 8  as this is the time when students start to become aware of their interests and abilities. This is the age when as parents, we should closely watch the hobbies being developed, the extra curricular activities being done, observe to what level is child putting his efforts  to excel in an activity . Let the child  explore multiple activities, have a budget for the same . Its wise here,  not to really expect  from the child that he should excel to be the best  in whatever he takes up as hobby / activity in this age. This may create a big pressure on the child which may defeat the whole purpose. Its time you as parent, should observe and  make mental notes and also let your child explore multiple things . Eventually he will settle down in one or 2 things and you will get to know this.

By the time he reaches  high school – grade 8, he and you should have a better understanding of  his skills, strengths, and areas of interest.  Even when you start the discussion at this age do not forget to clarify that by discussing about career plan, you are not forcing him  to study more or to take up any specific career. Not every great career needs a lot of study, it certainly needs efforts which may be in actions  other than studies such as specific skills and work experience. And hence early discussion and planning will help him. 

It may be noted here that many universities now have started UG admission process which involves tracing the activities of the student back till highschool in order to check  the genuinity and commitment of the student to the career education  for which he is seeking admission. 

The role of the student in the career planning process is crucial, as he is the one who will ultimately make the decision about his future. Hence  at this stage, the child should take an active role in

• exploring different career options (without getting biased about any field- IMP)
• researching the educational requirements and job prospects for different fields,
• and seeking guidance from career counselors and mentors.

As a Parent, you can play a supportive role in the career planning process by encouraging your child to explore different options and providing resources and guidance. However, it is important to avoid imposing your own career preferences on the child  to allow him / her  to make his own decisions based on  his  interests and abilities.

The steps involved in career planning include

1. Self-assessment – The MOST Important one – Take Professional help if required
2. Exploring different career options – To be jointly done by Student and Parents
3. Researching educational requirements and job prospects- To be Mostly done by Students supported by parents
4. Developing a plan for achieving career goals. : Joint Activity between Student – Parents and career counsellor
5. Gaining relevant experience through internships or volunteer work- To be done by Student

 

Quite often, we have observed that those who do not have a specific interest clearly identified by say grade 8, they avoid any discussion or they do not take any specific action to identify their interest or competencies. They just keep it hanging at the mercy of chance that, some day he / she will figure it out. Even parents, fearing that their child should not feel pressurized avoid discussing career related matters with the students after trying once or twice,  quite often they wait even till he clears grade 10.

In such cases mostly career decision hinges on the fate as to how well the student fares in his Board exams / entrance exams either after 10^th or 12^th.

Then as the results are declared the chaos begins, they feel pressurized at the time of seeking admission to grade 11 / UG and rush to take decision based on some traditional assumptions / probabilities or some feeble hope that, lets take admission to a safer educational course and then we will see later…

Approaching the board / entrance exams without a specific goal in mind is like asking someone to swim in the ocean endlessly with full force. The chances of unnecessary burnout are certain. Although nowadays many people have started taking professional advise which is a welcome step.  

At this stage, as parents we should be aware and be able to inform our child  about broader and different career streams that students can consider based on their academic and cocurricular performance and inclination.

1. Students with high academic performance and inclination can consider fields such as, Computer Science , Engineering, Medicine, Law, and  Chartered Accountancy , Company secretary etc, Integrated MBA etc  These fields require a strong academic background and have a  rigorous course of study. Most of the educational Pathways are known to people in this segment .. Like JEE, NEET, CET, CLAT etc

 

2. Students with average academic performance and inclination can consider fields such as education, journalism, social work, or creative fields such as graphic design, photography, or writing. These fields may not require a strong academic background, but still offer rewarding career opportunities. To have some more information

1. Alternate door entry to career fields  in first category by completing Skill oriented courses.
2. Education: Teaching is a rewarding career that offers opportunities for growth and advancement. To become a teacher, students will need to obtain a teaching certification or degree in education.
3. Business Support Services: Social media marketing, Business operations, Sales, Accounting  etc.
4. Social Work: Social workers help people in need by providing counseling, support, and other services. To become a social worker, students will typically need a degree in social work or a related field.
5. Creative fields: Students with a passion for the arts or creative fields may consider pursuing careers in graphic design, photography, writing, or other creative industries. These fields may not require a traditional college degree, but may require specialized training or certification.
6. Healthcare: There are many career paths in healthcare that do not require a strong academic background, such as Nursing, Physio therapy, medical assisting or healthcare administration. These fields typically require specialized training or certification.

3. Students with Low academic performance and inclination may consider vocational or technical fields such as Drone Piloting, Heavy machinery Operating, plumbing, carpentry, automotive repair, various technicians ,  or beauty services , cosmetology etc. These fields offer hands-on training and can lead to rewarding careers without requiring a traditional college education.

1. New Age technology Jobs : Drone Pilots, Machine operators , Construction machinery Operators , E-commerce specialist, Electrician, Cybersecurity specialist, Medical Coder, HVAC Technician, Web designer, Solar Panel  installer etc
2. Hospitality: Careers in hospitality such as Personal trainer , beauty therapist  hotel management, culinary arts, and food service can be great options for students with a passion for service and hospitality. These fields may require specialized training or certification.
3. Retail: Retail is a growing industry that offers opportunities for growth and advancement. Careers in retail may include sales, customer service, or management positions.
4. Trades: Skilled trades such as plumbing, carpentry, welding, and automotive repair can offer rewarding career opportunities without requiring a traditional college education. These fields typically require vocational or technical training.
5. Entrepreneurship: Students with an entrepreneurial spirit may consider starting their own business or pursuing a career in sales or marketing. These fields typically require strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work independently.

Whichever category your child may be falling in, its important note that he / she ought to follow the Steps involved in career planning mentioned at the beginning of this article. The Self Assessment through an Aptitude test / Psychometric test  should be ideally done somewhere at the beginning of grade 10 ,  in some cases you may also do one in grade 8 which will help to take corrective sustained actions required if any for personality or  skills improvement. 

In conclusion, career choice and planning are important processes that require time, effort, and research. Hence we should start the process early and take an active role in exploring different options, seeking guidance from mentors and career counselors, and developing a plan for achieving  career goals. As Parents we need to play a supportive role in the process, but should avoid imposing our  own career preferences on children. By taking a thoughtful and informed approach to career planning, every student  can set himself up for a fulfilling and successful career path. Wishing you great success in whatever you choose to do

 

Avinaash Deshmukh 

International Certified Career Coach 

Connect with  Avinaash 

9657600076  care@brainsmaart.com

 *Pls Note the career fields mentioned above isn’t an exhaustive list and there are many other fields which have opportunities for students with different academic and skills and competencies orientation. Pls consult with professional coaches / counsellors for child specific guidance