Quiz - How well do you know your child's career plans?

1. Motivation: How motivated is your child to find out about career options?

Proactive – they will have gone to see the careers adviser already
Laid-back but confident – they will land on their feet
Disorganised and last-minute – they’ll think about it when they have to
Uncertain – they need some help

2. Communication: How would you describe your communication with your child?

Good – close, open, we talk freely
I like to think they will come and talk to me when they want to talk
Little communication – I get a grunt if I’m lucky!
They can’t stand me at the moment!

3. Parental influence: How much do you try to influence your child’s career decision?

I believe my child is largely responsible for making their own decision – that’s the only way they learn and become an adult
I act as a reality checker and ground them if they come out with some really wild suggestions, but generally I keep an open mind
I try to influence my child’s career decision by making gentle suggestions, asking questions and sharing my experiences
I have deliberately tried to influence my child’s career decision – I’m not having them waste their time doing something that won’t get them a good job at the end of the day

4. Influencers: In your opinion, what is the main influencer on your child’s career decision?

They make up their own mind
Me, my partner and their family/whānau
The media, eg TV, Internet, magazines
Their friends

5. Decision-making: How does your child usually make decisions?

Seeks out all facts, thinks over them for a while, then decides on something
Asks other people what they think, and talks until they come up with the best option
Goes with the flow, what’s the hurry? Another offer may come up that sounds better!
Avoids making a decision until the pressure is on, and then gets going

6. Progress at school: How is your child doing at school?

Achieving very well in most or all areas
Probably average grades, but has good social life and attitude towards school
I think my child has lost enthusiasm for school and is not doing as well as he/she could
Has told me they want to leave school and do something else

7. Career planning: What is your child planning to do when they finish school?

My child has some definite plans
I know they are tossing up a couple of ideas at the moment, and they’ve talked to me about them
They’ve thought about it a little bit, but just shrug when I ask them
To be honest I have no idea!

8. Careers help: How much support do you need to help your child with their career decisions?

I’ve got a good steer on the information I need and know where to go for help
I’m just realising how little I know about study, training and the world of work
I’m pretty uncomfortable about advising my kids – but there’s plenty of jobs around so they’ll be OK
I leave it to the teachers and careers adviser to sort out my child’s career