How Can I Guide My Kid to Explore Multiple Career Opportunities?
Emerging adults feel a lot of stress and pressure when it comes to thinking about their future. Even if they don’t show it on the outside, they are constantly barraged with questions, decisions to make, and deadlines they feel late for. They look around at their peers, and it feels like everyone else is making plans and moving confidently forward. We add to it, too, by constantly bringing up impending deadlines and asking questions about their friends.
It’s next to impossible to make clear, rational decisions when you feel stress and anxiety.
The Doom Loop
Sometimes, parents feel like they can’t effectively help. Every time they bring up the future, their kid reacts, so they back off. But then, a voice in their head reminds them of the anxiety they feel about their kid’s future well-being, and they try again. But it doesn’t go well—again.
Sound familiar?
A More Effective Route
Your kid needs help deciding on a path to take. They might figure it out on their own, but honestly, most never do. Even if they do, it might take years of wasted time and energy. There IS something you can do, though, and it’s incredibly impactful and supportive.
Introduce your kid to your friends. Here are the five steps you can take starting today:
- Make a list of your friends who are thriving in their careers.
- Draft a set of questions your kid can use when you meet together.
- Reach out to them, set the appointment, and get out of the way.
- Do your best not to step in or take over!
- Debrief with them after.
I recently did this exact thing with my son and one of my closest friends. We spent an hour together over Zoom, with my friend sharing his career path up to today and describing how he approaches and thinks about his work. He asked my son questions about his options, and I heard him share things I didn’t know he was thinking about.
I can’t imagine my son receiving a more potent hour of insight, discovery, and support. And that was just with one friend; we have a bunch more on the list.
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