Career choices

When a child is an all-rounder, how do I know which area to encourage?

Advice from a career consultant:

• What would they like to do as an interest but not work? This could be a guide to what they would enjoy most.
• What do they want to do first? Perhaps for the next five years? They may try several careers during their life.
  

“We sit down and discuss subject choices and whether that matches with what they want to be one day.” [Parent]

Read about Georgia who is an all-rounder – what is her advice?
Choosing school subjects – what to consider
Helping with subject choice – tips for parents

It’s hard for us to talk with teachers because of the language barrier. Where can we go for help with careers in our own community?

Advice from a career consultant:

• The Ministry of Education has support staff for parents of school children who are new to New Zealand. You can phone 0800 800 675 to talk to someone about your child’s education.

• You could also visit your local Career Services office. We have friendly, trained staff who can help.

“Sometimes it’s just about taking interest, and being there for our children. It’s important that we educate ourselves, if that’s what it takes to help our young ones’ futures!” [Parent]

Getting the most out of career events and your school
Find your nearest Career Services office

My child is in Year 11 and wants to finish school now. I’m trying to get her to stay until the end of the year. She is starting to skip classes and when I tell her I’m worried she reminds me of how I left school at 15.

Advice from a career consultant:

• Setting goals together could help her focus on what she wants out of school.
• Encourage her to take up opportunities at school that relate to her goals. For example, if she enjoys singing, encourage her to join the choir

“What you’ve got to offer is life experience. Use this to guide them and be open. I think you have got to let your child make the decision. You can only sort of guide them into the process of discovering what they want to do. They’ve got to have that final decision.” [Parent]

Is now the right time for me to leave school? – Look at this set of questions together
How do you know what’s out there? – Look at options for after school together
Goal setting can help – work through the leaving school exit plan (PDF - 64KB)
Leaving school early – read more about how you can help in this situation

I’ve heard acting is really hard to break into but I can’t talk my child out of it. I want him to find a job where he can earn better money.

Advice from a career consultant:

• Encourage him to research the job as much as possible, then he’ll be making an informed choice.
• One of the best ways to do this research is to talk to an actor.

“The first career I did because I thought I had to. Now I know the value of doing something you enjoy.” [Parent]

Research this job – find out more about being an actor
Interview people who do the job now – read a list of questions you should ask
Read about Liam, whose parents don’t approve of his career choice

I’m worried that after a gap year my child will get distracted and won’t end up at uni. What should I do?

Advice from a career consultant:

• Make a plan for the gap year – what do they want to achieve? This could be treated as a contract between you and your child.

“Use life experience and common sense to act as a safety net or reality check. Ask realistic questions about the logistics and help ground their ideas in reality.” [Parent]
 
Taking a year off – the advantages and disadvantages of a gap year
Step-by-step guide to travelling overseas

My child wants to be a PA. She’s not interested in seeing what else is out there. Even her aunty who is a PA says that it’s not really great, but she won’t listen to reason.

Advice from a career consultant:

• Perhaps she could do some work experience during the school holidays with her aunty to see what the job is really like.
• Make a deal with her – perhaps she could try out at least two other jobs before she makes a decision.

“Do your own research. Try and speak to different people and ask them about their experiences.” [Parent]
 
Research this job – find out more about being a personal assistant
Learn more about how parents and family influence career choices
Read about Hana Snowden, a beauty therapist whose mother knew better

Our community really values lawyers, doctors or accountants because they are well respected and well paid. It’s hard to know what other jobs are out there for our young people. Who else can they talk to that they will listen to?

Advice from a career consultant:

• Careers advisers at school can guide them. Your child can make an appointment to see them.
• Our advice line team can talk through the different options with them on 0800 222 733.
  
• If they have left school, then the youth transitions service can help too.

“When I asked my grandson what he wanted to be, he said, “an animator, like for bro’Town”. I didn't know what this was, so I found out the number of his careers adviser at school, gave him a call, and asked about it.  Now, from working together, he’s enrolled in a specialist animation course.” [Parent – from Team Up website].

Jobs database – browse jobs by industry or alphabet
Subject Matcher – match subjects you enjoy to job ideas
How to get the most out of your school career events
Find a Career Services office in your region or phone our advice line on 0800 222 733

My son wants to go to polytech but I don’t think the qualifications they offer are as valuable as one from a university.

Advice from a career consultant:

• Help him think about the jobs he is interested in, then look at the right study option for that job. Keep an open mind – polytech might have the best course for that occupation.

• Go to an open day at the local university and polytech to see the differences for yourself.

“Kids are exposed to the Internet and it is their main source of information. I let them do their own research and I do mine so I know what’s out there too.” [Parent]

Entering study or training – is tertiary study for you?
Going into tertiary study action plan – plan ahead for tertiary study
Courses and training database – compare courses from both university and polytech

My child works after school three days a week and one full day in the weekend. I know that he is getting behind in his school work, but he is bright and will catch up. Besides our family needs the extra money that he earns each week.

Advice from a career consultant:

• If your child is ready for full-time work, there are ways to gain a qualification while earning money at the same time. Modern Apprenticeships and industry training are ideal ways to get a qualification.
• If they are doing well at school, your child might be able to get a scholarship to study at university or polytechnic.

“Having one or more teenagers at secondary school or tertiary study can be really expensive, but don’t rule further study out. By getting a higher qualification they are likely to earn much better in the future.” [Parent]

Industry training – getting qualified and earning at the same time
Who earns what? Earnings by qualification and job
Scholarships – could you get your tertiary education for free?