By Ho Shee Wai

Director/Registered Psychologist

One of the important goals as parent is to help our children become an independent, contributing member of society. The challenge many parents face is how to guide our teens to make the correct career choice. Often parents want their teenagers to be in career that has good prospect, high prestige, etc. Some families may wish their child to follow in the family profession / business. However, career chosen due to these reasons may not be the best match to their child. Clinically we often see people being unhappy in their career choices, often pressured by well intentioned parents. In extreme cases we have seen clients who take drastic measures to get out of this unhappy life.

Given that our work takes up the majority of our time (30% or more), choosing the wrong job can lead to chronic stress, anxiety, and even burnout. With an estimated 15% of working-age adults having a mental disorder, finding the right job can have a profound impact on your child’s mental health.

3 Element of Career Selection

Making career decision is dependent on 3 main elements: interest, aptitude (personality), and skills (training).

Interest

What is your teen interested in? While we definitely can learn to like what we do, an easier way is to find a career that allows you to the things you like and enjoy. If you or your teenagers are not sure, we can look at what are activities that make your child happy when they are engaged in or where they can get totally absorbed and lost time.

What can you do as parents?

Ask your child some questions to help them define what kind of work would be interesting for them.

• Would you like working alone or in a group?

• Would you rather work inside or outside?

• Do you think you would prefer working during the day or night?

• Would wearing a uniform bother you?

• Do you want to make or sell things?

• Would you like to travel or stay close to home?

• Would you like to work with your hands?

• Do you like giving directions or following directions?

• Would you prefer to use math skills or communication skills?

• What interests do you have that you would like to be part of your job?

Aptitude (Personality)

Counselling Psychologist John Holland presented a theory of personality types and environmental models. Holland’s theory posits that people can be categorized according to six personality types—Realistic, Investigative, Artistic, Social, Enterprising, and Conventional—known collectively as RIASEC.

Realistic

Realistic types generally like to work with things more than with people. They tend to be independent and practical. Oftentimes, they are referred to as doers.

Investigative

Investigative types typically like to work with ideas more than with people or things. They are intellectual, abstract, analytical, independent, and task oriented. They like to observe, learn, investigate, analyze, evaluate, and solve problems.

Artistic

Artistic types usually like to work with ideas more than with things. They enjoy working with forms, designs and patterns. They often require self-expression, and the work can be done without following a clear set of rules.

Social

Social types typically like to work with people more than with things. Social type are outgoing, friendly, and empathetic. They tend to be idealistic with a strong personal values system that guides their every decision in life.

Enterprising

Enterprising types generally like to work with people and ideas more than with things. They like to influence, persuade, and lead people and to achieve organizational or financial goals. They tend to be assertive, ambitious, and energetic.

Conventional

Conventional types generally like to work with papers and numbers. are practical, well controlled, sociable, conservative, prefer structured tasks, and prefer conformity. They like to work with data, have clerical or numerical ability, and are very attentive to detail.

According to Holland’s theory, the same personality types also apply to work environments, and each environment presents its own specific qualities and challenges. Imagine you are artistic and you are required to work in a conventional environment. Matching the personality type to the work environment is the best predictor for career success and satisfaction.

What you can do as parents?

Arrange for your teenagers to undergo Career Assessment or Career Coaching with a Psychologist, counsellor, or a career coach.

Skills (Training)

Just because we have the interest it doesn’t mean we have the aptitude or skills. We all know many people who loves singing but will never make it as a singer. Ensuring your teenager have the necessary training and education so that they can embark upon the career of choice. To do that it’s important to do research and speak to people in the profession in order to understand the steps and procedure involved. For many professions, there are specific training and education required and it’s not that easy to switch career midway.

What you can do as parents?

Arrange for your teens to do vacation jobs that either can help them experience aspects of the profession or observe it first hand for them to assess whether they can see themselves living that life and doing that job long term. Get them to prepare a list of interview questions to the contact at the profession in order to have more in depth understanding of that profession.

Giving your teens a head-start by ensuring all 3 elements of career selection is aligned. If you need guidance and support, you can always seek professional counselling and coaching support to help you and your teens on the right path. Book in a session of career assessment, career coaching, or counselling today.