Sharing a meal while sharing career ideas

Whether you’re sitting around the breakfast or dinner table, in a café, or having a picnic together outside, mealtimes provide a great opportunity for a career conversation with your child.

Ideally, ease your way into the conversation. A lot of children may get defensive and this won’t lead you anywhere. Instead, find ways to get the conversation flowing. Talk about your own experiences or observations to start the conversation:

• “The kid next door is starting his apprenticeship in carpet laying next summer. I wonder how he came up with that?”
• “Dad was a barrister so I decided to follow in his footsteps and study law.  Looking back, I don’t know if that was the right decision for me.”
• “My parents talked me into being a teacher but I would rather have looked into landscaping. Hey, I might still do that!”
• “It can be scary to think that you have to do the same job all your life, day in and day out. I know a lot of people who have successfully changed careers a few times already.”

These conversation starters lead into the subject without cornering your child or being too direct. It gives your child the chance to express their views indirectly so you can find out where they may be at, and give them appropriate advice and guidance.

Common myths about careers
Role of the parent