What is the Role of Parents in Career Planning?

Parents are their children's first teachers, who play an important role in shaping their career paths and helping them select a career that brings both joy and success. A thoughtfully planned professional journey is the gateway to a fulfilling life and career. Research even suggests that a child who pursues their passion and makes their career path tends to achieve greater success.

However, you might wonder how to offer better guidance or choose the right career option for your child. How can you ensure that the career path they aspire to is suitable for them? What are the optimal career choices aligned with their skills? To address these questions, we provide insights into how parents can assist their children in selecting a career path. Additionally, we'll explore how career counselors can support parents in understanding their children's preferences, skills, abilities, and interests. Furthermore, we'll discuss how can career counsellors guide children in discovering the best career options based on their interests and skills.

1. Points Parents Should Keep in Mind While Planning Career.

a) Interest

You might have planned CA, CMA, or IAS studies for your Child but he/she might be interested in sports. You have to understand that it is challenging to work in a profession you are not interested in. So never pressure your child to fulfill your dreams and ask him/her. Let them do what they want.

The work should be something that you can enjoy, feel satisfied with, and want to grow. Therefore, the first thing the parents should consider while guiding the child in his career should be interest.

 b) Scope in the Future

The second thing that should be considered while choosing a career for your child is the scope. Various career options might not be popular today but their scope is rapidly increasing. Hence, forecasting the scope of a career is important while guiding your child.

 c) Salary and Incentives 

You might be thinking that money is not a key factor. Knowledge and reputation should be the priority. Money is not the key factor but in this modern era, one needs higher earnings to lead a happy life rather than just a satisfactory life. The profession you are selecting for your child must be capable of fulfilling his desire in the future.

d) Should Not be Burdensome

The course you choose for your child should not be burdensome in your or his pocket. You should select a career that you can afford without compromising the daily needs of your life. For Ex – If you choose an MBA or Engineering from Tier–1 Colleges, the fee could be burdensome and stress won’t let him focus on his studies. 

e) Visit a Career Counsellor 

Nowadays, institutes and colleges even have career counseling sessions to help parents know their child's strengths and weaknesses, by this you know what role can career counselling play. To elaborate, Career counselling is a personalized procedure that provides individuals seeking informed career decisions with specific help and support. This process involves looking at your preferences, talents, beliefs, and personality qualities to identify potential career paths that match your objectives and aspirations. Students can explore different career alternatives, identify potential challenges, and create plans to achieve their goals through career counseling.

2. What are the benefits of Career Counselling? 

• Career counselling provides a clear direction, which is particularly beneficial for students who have numerous professional alternatives. It minimizes uncertainty and helps students walk towards targeted paths to attain their goals by simplifying choices based on interests and skills.

• It helps in self-discovery by providing a more in-depth insight into personal preferences, abilities, and behaviors. This self-awareness acts as a foundation for making informed judgments that are consistent with one's personality identity.

• Career counselors make informed decisions as they know diverse industries, labor market trends, educational pathways, and skills required in that professional journey.

• Career counselling contributes to personal growth by revealing hidden talents and directing individuals toward occupations that promote growth and achievement.

• It assists in overcoming difficulties associated with the transition from academia to the professional world, providing guidance in resume building, interview preparation, and job-hunting skills.

Parents have gone through this process, hence they can better understand this. However, time has changed. You should not pressure your child with your unreal expectations or force him to earn while studying, do not let him misguide.

You should identify their capability and strengths, help them understand their desire or passions, motivate them towards such work, and thereafter choose the best career or guide them to choose the best career for themselves.