How To Help Your Child Build and Pursue a Career Path

What did you dream of being when you were a child? An astronaut zooming through the galaxy, or maybe a baseball player smashing a grand slam? These are the kinds of futures I often hear my seven-year-old son dream up. However, as children grow up, these early career aspirations start to evolve. Children become more self-aware, learning about their strengths and interests in school and beyond.

That’s why it’s important to have conversations about potential career paths with our children, even starting at a young age. And with a little guidance from us and their teachers, they can develop skills that will open a range of career possibilities, helping them choose a future that truly fulfills them.

Career Curiosity and Discovery in Elementary School

Elementary school experiences, both inside and outside the classroom, play an important role in fostering curiosity and exploration. These activities can help kids discover industries and careers they find interesting. Here are a few ways to start these important conversations with your young child:

Visit a fire station, farm, zoo, or art museum, or attend a live performance at a local theater.
Talk about the various professionals that you and your child encounter throughout the day, including teachers, doctors, dentists, construction workers, or librarians.
Attend a virtual field trip to learn about different jobs. Check out K12’s virtual library of on-demand field trips that share exciting experiences like visiting a toucan rescue ranch or exploring the daily adventures of a New Mexico beekeeper!

Career Investigation and Exploration in Middle School

During middle school, children develop by leaps and bounds, becoming more independent and self-aware. They begin to recognize their own abilities and develop interests in different skills and hobbies. Here is how you can use this time of growth to help your child start to decide on a career:

Encourage them to participate in extracurricular activities they may enjoy like science fairs, STEM camps, competitions, sports, dance, theater, and volunteer opportunities.
Help them access career and strength assessments to identify career paths that align with their skills and personality traits. K12 offers a short quiz that creates a personality profile and suggests career options for students to explore.
Look into career investigation courses offered at your child’s school. Many online schools offer career exploration electives that focus on industries such as business, healthcare, agriculture, and engineering.

Career Preparation in High School

In high school, it’s important for students to start seriously thinking about their future. Here are some ways to help your child refine their career aspirations and take important steps toward a successful path:

Determine what kind of college and career prep opportunities are available at your child’s school and encourage them to use those resources. K12-powered online schools, for instance, offer career pathways that teach students specialized skills through relevant courses alongside their regular curriculum.
Encourage your child to get real-world experience through a part-time job, an internship, volunteering, or job-shadowing.
Explore dual enrollment opportunities at their school, which allows students to work toward certifications and college credit, helping them get a jumpstart on their future career.

Lastly, talk to them about your jobs and work experience. While your skills and interests may differ from theirs, your experiences can help guide them as they take important steps and begin preparing for their future.

To learn more about K12-powered online schools, go to K12.com.