Career exploration for teens: How to start planning for the future

Anushree Shrivastava

Assistant professor

Faculty of Commerce and Management

anushree.shrivastava@kalingauniversity.ac.in

Introduction

Finding a job can really be tough for young people. It’s important for them to figure out what careers are out there, discover their interests, and identify the skills they have or need to learn more of. Luckily, there are many resources that can! These tools guide youth to understand their interests, develop skills, gain experience, & explore job opportunities. By taking these steps, teens can understand their career interests better and start making smart choices about their futures.

SelfAssessment

It’s a good idea to encourage teens to dig into their interests, skills, & values. Tools like career assessments and personality tests can really help spot possible career paths that match their strengths and what they love.

Research Careers

Getting teens to look up different jobs is super helpful. They can find out about job duties, required skills, and what kind of education is needed. Websites such as the Bureau of Labor Statistics & other career exploration tools provide great info.

Informational Interviews

How about suggesting they set up some informational interviews with people in jobs that interest them? These chats give real-life insights into different careers and help build valuable connections too!

Internships & Volunteering

Gaining experience through internships, part-time jobs, or volunteering is key. It helps teens understand various industries & roles while also beefing up their resumes.

Explore Education Options

Talking about different educational pathways is also important! This includes vocational schools, community colleges, & universities. Knowing the educational requirements for various careers can really help guide their academic choices.

Set Goals

Helping teens set both short-term & long-term career goals is essential. This could include academic goals, getting involved in activities, or developing new skills.

Seek Guidance

Encourage them to team up with school counselors, career coaches, or mentors who can offer advice and support in exploring all those awesome career options!

Stay Flexible

It’s also super important to remind teens to stay open to new opportunities. Plans might change as interests and goals evolve over time—and that’s just fine!

Conclusion

When choosing a career that suits you best, there are many things to think about. Some key things include your natural talents, how you like to work, social interaction preferences, work-life balance needs, if you want to give back or not, comfort in the spotlight, how you handle stress (or not), and finally—the salary you desire. If picking a career feels overwhelming at times—here’s a suggestion: pick a path that feels right today! Make the best decision you can now & remember—it’s okay to change your mind later on. In today’s world of work, choosing one career doesn’t mean you have to stick with it forever. So make a smart choice now & plan on reevaluating later based on your long-term goals!

References

1. https://youth.gov/youth-topics/youth-employment
2. https://resources.chatterhigh.com/career-exploration-guide
3. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Career_development