Tips for ParentsCoaching Teens

The following four tips will help you be a good career coach for your teens:

Tip Number 1:  Keep current

• research to identify new workplace trends
• find out about emerging occupations and which industries are expected to have the greatest demand
• there are a number of great resources – people, publications and websites such as http://www.labourmarketinformation.ca www.alis.alberta.ca/hotline www.jobfutures.ca www.indeed.ca http://www.canadaspace.com

The workplace of today

Most of Canada’s youth today are likely to experience:

• an average of 17 employment transitions in their working lifetime
• a variety of occupations in up to five different sectors of the economy
• a variety of concurrent work roles (multi-tasking)
• planned and unplanned gaps of no work

Tip Number 2:  Talking to your teens

• Talk to your teen about their interests:
• ü discuss career choices and interests at the kitchen table
• ü talk in the car – ask about interests and activities
• ü consider volunteering together
• ü make a list of occupations and explore them together
• ü clip out career-related articles – post them on the fridge and discuss
• ü use music, books, websites, movies, TV shows, sports and other areas of interests to generate discussion

Tip Number 3:  Being a good role model

• share your own experiences and talk about your positive work experiences
• let your teen see that life is a combination of hard work and enjoyment
• continue to learn yourself – try new things to demonstrate the importance of lifelong learning and skill development
• share your own mistakes and discuss how you learned from them

Tip Number 4:  Getting help

• turn to others for support (your allies)
• you can find allies among the people who play a major role in your teens’ life – coaches, teachers, guidance counselors, friends, family, elders, religious or community leaders, or even other parents

The Career Planning Cycle:  A Road Map for Teens

Get to Know Yourself

(find out your interests, values, personality, skills, assets and resources)

Explore Possibilities

(research, try things out, narrow down your choices and find the best fit)

Make a Choice

(develop a plan and set career goals that will take you where you want to go)

Make It Happen

(put your plan into action – learning along the way and achieving your goals)

• For more information about Georgian programs check out our website: www.georgianc.on.ca