How romantic: father and son restore the neighboring house together! Unforgettable experience for both. Working together is deep in our psyche and helps us in challenging times. This reminds me of my childhood.
Decision Time
Mostly in the upper school, i.e. in the final years of school, young people make this important decision:
Apprenticeship or Secondary School?
Parents play an extremely important role in this!
After the children have left the basic level and entered the upper level, the question of career choice becomes topical. “What should I do in the future? What do I actually want to be? Surely not what? Which profession or which degree would suit me? "
These are important questions for teenagers, asked at a time when they are broadening their vision and entering their second puberty, the teenage years (13-19).
This challenging question can sometimes trigger some uncertainties and fears. Orientation in the adult professional world is one of the greatest challenges in adolescence. Added to this is the perception of one's own identity - WHO AM I? AND WHO NOT? (LINK)
School colleagues have a major influence on this WHO AM I question. You can support each other on this question, but also deceive, because you are involved in this process of finding yourself. Therefore, the parents - the father for the son and the daughter in particular - remain the most important component.
These debates with one's own self-image should also be perceived and supported by parents and trainers.
Organizations that are responsible for training and further education often provide information about various professional groups and training paths. There the young people can get an insight and ask questions. The possibility of taster courses in various professional groups is considered to be particularly important and desirable.
On trial days, many notice whether they actually like the dream job they once wanted or whether they would rather try something different.
In some areas there is a kind of “apprenticeship exchange” where young people can find vacant apprenticeships.
Here is a critical voice that you should also approve of:
“A generation that is increasingly struggling with burnout in the prime of life is designing a way of life for its children with even more speed, with even more performance, with even more "support". She is converting kindergartens into schools because she believes that children who learn math early will reach the destination faster.
Wait a minute, what destination?”
says Herbert Renz-Polster, German pediatrician, scientist and author.
The young people's wishes to their parents
The career choice process is individual for each young person. The additional support from parents should not be underestimated here.
The choice of career is sometimes a family project in which parents play an important, even central role. Mother and father are their role models in their attitudes, attitudes and actions and therefore automatically have a great responsibility. They know their own children best and can thus lay an important foundation for their professional life.
From a psychological point of view, this support from the parents means for the young people that it is worthwhile to approach this life in a constructive, goal-oriented and decision-conscious manner. In their own parents they can see the results of wise decisions or bad decisions.
It is desirable if the parents actively bring up the issue of VOCATIONAL CHOICE over and over again. Their interest and inquiries demonstrate their sense of responsibility and give the young person security.
Should there be unsolvable problems in this process
Plan A and B
Once plan A has been set, so the young person knows in which direction his future should develop, it is important to also talk about plan B. It could be that in the end the desired apprenticeship or the desired secondary school education should not work out - for whatever reasons.
Sure, after signing the apprenticeship contract or after passing an entrance exam, a lot of relaxation is perceived. These are important events that can be experienced together and welded together.
Career choice organizations provide valuable tips for young people of the age of choice for a career and provide general information on local educational opportunities and general career opportunities.
Information and tips can also be found on the Internet for a successful appearance at the job interview, which for many can lead to sleepless nights.
In your region there is certainly an offer on the Internet where you as parents and also for young people can get important information. Google under “career selection”, “apprenticeship” or “training”.
I wish you success.
