How to talk “career”

It is never too late or too early to begin chatting to a young person about career ideas and goals - but there is usually a preferred time and place. Any time a young person is emotionally heightened because of school or life pressures is the wrong time to start the conversation. Many years as a teacher were spent explaining to young people that parents have their best interests at heart, but can choose the wrong time to show that.

A gentle, practical way to begin career conversations with a young person is to focus less on “choosing a job” or '‘improving your grades'“, and more on building curious, open dialogue that strengthens trust and builds confidence and agency.

Sometimes getting started is the hardest part of a conversation, so here are some hints:

• “I’m curious about what you’ve been enjoying lately—want to chat about it?” invites conversation without judgement.

• Reflect back what you hear—“It sounds like you enjoy hands‑on work” or “You seem energised when you talk about helping people.” This helps them feel understood and builds their confidence.

• “What subjects or activities make you lose track of time?”

• “What kind of problems do you enjoy solving?”

• “Who do you admire and why?”

Every parent/carer carries hopes, fears and assumptions shaped by their own experiences. Acknowledging your bias—and putting it aside—creates space for young people to imagine a future that fits them, not the expectations of others. Your role is to support their thinking, not decide for them. If you are interested to know more about how parents might affect the career development of young people, you might like to listen to this School of Life video.

When in doubt, it can be helpful for young people to speak with a qualified career practitioner who can help them understand their strengths, navigate options and build lifelong skills for making informed decisions.