A PARENT’S
ROLE
By high school, students are equipped to take the reigns on their own career aspirations, or at least they should be. It’s a parent’s job to get their children to the point that they can choose coursework that matters, engage with teachers and counselors that will help them, and make decisions about their futures. It never stops being a parent’s job, however, to guide their children. James says parents should expose their children to different trade and career opportunities at a young age, starting in elementary school. CTE coursework isn’t offered at that level, but students may enter high school with a better understanding of their interests in they have been exposed to potential career fields before. Field trips, for example, are a great way to introduce children to trades available in the county. Career days at school, take your child to work days, or even just encouraging conversation between children and adults in admirable career fields can help them find their calling. Have conversations. Ask your children from a young age what they want to be when thy grow up. Continue to ask the question over the years and enroll your child in activities and
camps that will feed their interests, as well as expose them to new opportunities. When available, get your child enrolled in extracurriculars. Starting in middle school, many schools offer robotics, electronics, drafting and CAD classes that will give them a basis for CTE curriculum. In high school, keep an eye on the school calendar and attend career fairs that happen on campus with your child. James suggests this as an appropriate way for parents to be involved in their children’s futures while educating themselves on the jobs landscape and discovering industries they may not have considered before. “Lets figure out what they are interested in and find that path for that child,” James suggests. Interests and needs are different for every child and honing in on what they care about and what they are good at can set them up for a lifetime of success. As a parent, ask yourself, what will grab their attention? What will get them engaged in learning? It could be auto mechanics, it could be choir, it could be football. Find a reason for your child to care about succeeding in school, even if that reason is to play sports. Then, challenge your child to make that passion their career. Times are changing. Parents may need to adjust their mindsets to better serve their children. Those who forego a traditional college education can have a high paying job; they can be successful. In fact, many of the highest paying jobs are in trades. There’s no longer one way to succeed, and if you open your mind to the possibilities your child can have, they will open their minds, too.
MARCH/APRIL | 2018
SAN JOAQUIN PARENTS MAGAZINE
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