Mom, what should I be when I grow up? Career decisions are an understandable question and all too common as our kids start thinking about life beyond school.

But, how do you help them decide on a career?

As a parent you'll know only too well how difficult it can be to get your children to do the things that are best for them, such as eating their vegetables for example. Getting them to make the right career decisions is no less urgent.

Don't leave it to when your preschooler turns into a high school senior on their way to college to start thinking about it?

In middle school they’re asked, "What do you want to be when you grow up”. Then in high school, they meet with guidance counselors and take aptitude tests to try to figure out the “right fit” for their jobs and careers. In college, they're switching majors left and right trying to figure out what field of jobs and careers to get their degree in. And too often, they will find themselves stuck in a job they hate just to pay the bills… purely as a means to an end. So, how can you encourage your child to do the research necessary to make the right decisions about college majors and careers?

We’re all aware that today’s youth want everything at just the push of a button. Whether with a click of a mouse on their laptop, or their cell phone, finding information has never been easier. However, when it comes to making one of the most important decisions they're ever likely to make in their lives, just pressing a button isn't going to cut the ice. There's loads of research, exploring, and reflecting to be engaged in.

It's our job as parents to lead our children through the steps necessary for them to make informed career decisions. As a start to your child's careers advice talk to them about their talents, likes, dislikes, and priorities. This is a great place to start. From there, encourage them to explore their career options by speaking to someone in that profession or even participating in job shadowing. Then have your child take time to reflect on the things they have learned both about themselves and these potential professions.

This decision takes time and thought. However, did you know there are tools available to make this process simpler, save them hours of research, and give them a real insight into a variety of professions.

Yes, believe it or not, it IS possible for them to decide on a career and have it be the right match. The odds of your child ever working in their dream job are truly slim if they simply drift into whatever comes along. On the other hand, the odds of winding up doing exactly what they want approaches 100% if they combine a proven career decision method with the simple steps needed to find their passion.

Take the responsibility to be there for your child and guide them through this pivotal decision.

Here are the three key tools found in 'Conversations: Find Your Niche!' that can help:

'Conversations: Find Your Niche!' book cover

1. A demonstrated research and decision-making procedure called the Find Your Niche Roadmap;
2. Focused, in-depth interviews with 150 working professionals from the full spectrum of career fields about the nature of their jobs all in a fun, conversational format;
3. Six special appendices offering them an invaluable collection of critical career information and hard to find resources that will save them months of research.

This is the key information they need to understand the career landscape and make an informed decision. The vicious cycle of being unhappy in their job, not knowing what to do, but having to provide for them self and their family is not a pleasant one. The key is to either prevent this from happening or, if they are already in this position, to stop it now!

Buy the book now direct from Amazon.com

To share your own parental wisdom, or find even more useful tips and resources to help you on your journey and/or to just join in the conversation vist the 'Career Decisions Made Easy' blog

Last Updated on Tuesday, 19 January 2010 11:13