Another academic year has come to an end. In many families, at this time, with children in the first or second grade, discussions are focused on decisions and concerns, such as: What direction to choose next year? What to study? Should I go abroad? Yes, but as "XXXXXXX" will I get a job? And how much money will I make? And next door, Dad and Mom: "Oh, my child, what will you be when you grow up?" Yes, but is there an appropriate age for choosing a career?
Children are "forced" to make certain decisions at a certain period of time because our educational system is structured that way. But, in the end, how realistic is it to expect the teenager or adolescent of 16, 17 to make a choice for the adult of 30 or even 40?
Let's do a pleasant exercise together! Relax, take a paper and pencil, get into your most honest mood and answer the following questions regarding your choice of profession spontaneously:
Children are "forced" to make certain decisions at a certain period of time because our educational system is structured that way. But, in the end, how realistic is it to expect the teenager or adolescent of 16, 17 to make a choice for the adult of 30 or even 40?
Let's do a pleasant exercise together! Relax, take a paper and pencil, get into your most honest mood and answer the following questions regarding your choice of profession spontaneously:
Having listed the main points of my academic and professional career, I observe:
How much of what I do today could I have predicted 20 or 30 years ago?
Of course, you will reasonably say, "So, am I going to leave my child alone in this very important decision of his life?" No, under no circumstances will he be left alone! But it is enough to define what we mean by help, when and how we will offer it to him, and don't be surprised, who is the "expert" to give it to him.
So let's take them in order:
"NEVER" agree that our children are immature and uninformed to decide their future. Choosing a career is premature, but yet they are required to do it now! However, as you have seen from your own reflection, this is not a life decision, they will be inclined to do it again several times in the future. So what do they need? But what else? Critical thinking, to filter the appropriate information, to evaluate the environment and the circumstances and to choose maturely and with more chances, accurately.
"HOW" they choose: there are three pillars on which they base their academic & career choices i) information about environment, possible professions, working conditions, ii) perception of their skills and their effectiveness, knowledge of their personality traits and assessment of their means of realisation iii) opinions of significant others (parents, teachers, friends) that they admire and accept. And I'm sure you are among these significant others (iii) and they will ask you to share your views, on their own choice of profession, but be careful, don't settle for that!
How you can really help
So let's take them in order:
"NEVER" agree that our children are immature and uninformed to decide their future. Choosing a career is premature, but yet they are required to do it now! However, as you have seen from your own reflection, this is not a life decision, they will be inclined to do it again several times in the future. So what do they need? But what else? Critical thinking, to filter the appropriate information, to evaluate the environment and the circumstances and to choose maturely and with more chances, accurately.
"HOW" they choose: there are three pillars on which they base their academic & career choices i) information about environment, possible professions, working conditions, ii) perception of their skills and their effectiveness, knowledge of their personality traits and assessment of their means of realisation iii) opinions of significant others (parents, teachers, friends) that they admire and accept. And I'm sure you are among these significant others (iii) and they will ask you to share your views, on their own choice of profession, but be careful, don't settle for that!
How you can really help
To cultivate their critical thinking
To obtain information and knowledge
Trust the counselling process, it can lead to successful choices and ultimately job satisfaction. CONTACT NOW, because there is no right age for career choice!
In the video "At what age do I choose a career?" you will meet Irini Andrioti and you will hear about the development of critical thinking which is the key to the ongoing choices/decisions that every Young person will be called upon to make in their life.
In the video "At what age do I choose a career?" you will meet Irini Andrioti and you will hear about the development of critical thinking which is the key to the ongoing choices/decisions that every Young person will be called upon to make in their life.
