Supporting Your Teenager in Their Career Choice

Choosing a career is a big step in a teenager's life. It's often a period filled with stress, uncertainty, and self-doubt. In fact, according to a recent study published by Academos, over half of young people (55%) report feeling anxious about their professional future. Between the fear of not liking their future career, making the wrong choice, or ending up unemployed, the pressure is high for young people facing this decision.

And what about the parents? The stress is very real for them too. We want our children to flourish, to be happy and financially secure. It's completely normal to feel worried or even pressured to guide them towards "the right choice." But how can we support our teenagers without imposing our own expectations? This article offers some tips on how to support your teenager in their reflection process, without pressure.

Don't Underestimate Your Role

Do you doubt your impact? A little over two-thirds of young people (68%) say their parents are a source of support and encouragement in their career path, and 46% also see them as a source of information and advice.

Even if you sometimes feel overwhelmed or unsure, your involvement matters - and it is perceived positively by young people. The main thing is to be present, to listen, and to support your teenager in their thought process.

But don't panic! You don't need to know every program, every profession, every option. There are all sorts of resources and tools available that you can refer your teen to.

How to Provide Concrete Support?

Here are a few tips to turn this stressful time into an opportunity for sharing:

• Listen to their interests. Instead of starting from your own frame of reference, start with what motivates them: their passions, their strengths, their dreams. Also, help them to see what they may not necessarily see in themselves by highlighting their qualities, talents, or successes.

• Explore together. Reading program descriptions, exploring career options, visiting career fairs, or attending open houses - these moments can become opportunities for bonding.

• Direct them to the right resources. Whether it's online with a mentor, at a youth employment centre, or at school with a guidance counsellor, there are a wealth of free resources to help your teen.

• Encourage discussion. Academos' "Explore Your Future" tool offers concrete questions to initiate a parent-teen discussion about the future. It's a great way to approach the subject in a fun and caring way, without pressure.

• Validate their emotions. Your teen may feel lost, worried, or unsure. This is normal. And hearing that it's okay to be unsure can be incredibly reassuring.

   

Help Your Teenager Depressurize the "Wrong Choice"

Among the most common fears among young people, the fear of making a mistake and making the wrong choice is at the top of the list. To reassure them, remind your teen that there is no perfect path, no definitive choice to be made at 15 or 17 years old. What is often called a "wrong choice" can actually become an important learning step. Changing your mind, trying something and realizing it's not right for you is also part of the journey!

With tools like Academos, young people can chat with mentors working in a variety of professions, ask their questions, and gain a better understanding of the reality on the ground. Through the "Non-Linear Career Paths" theme, they can also discover profiles of mentors who have changed careers or explored other fields during their journey. This is a great way to show them that there is no single path to success!

Also, don't hesitate to talk about your own career path and the challenges you have overcome to open up the discussion and reassure your teenager.

Remember: The Future Belongs to Your Teen

While your support is important, it's essential to remember that it's their future, their life. As a parent, you are there to guide and listen, but it's up to your teenager to experiment, to try, and sometimes to make mistakes. Rather than giving them ready-made answers, encourage them to think for themselves and explore different options.

Supporting a teenager in their career path is not about charting a straight path for them: it's about providing them with a map, a compass, and reminding them that they can count on you, no matter what direction they choose.