Because we want the best for our children…
It is sometimes difficult for a parent to support their child in their educational and vocational orientation. Their concerns are significant and appear frequently. Here are some examples:
- For youth and their parents, the belief that they must make a life-long choice is false and a great source of anxiety.
- Whether in cégep, university, or at work, they will always have to choose between different specializations or advanced training and must accept these experiences.
- There will always be choices to make, and there are few clear answers.
- You have the right to not agree with your child’s choices, which can sometimes be viewed as unrealistic or outlandish.
- Without discouraging them, try to understand what attracted them to these choices, and instead encourage them to explore related, or unrelated, sectors without abandoning their original ideas.
- Try a ‘wait-and-see’ approach without hindering their efforts or decision-making.
- In the past, vocational training has had negative connotations for many people.
- Today, vocational training graduates secure rewarding, satisfying and well-paid jobs.
- Many create and lead businesses or are in management positions.
- Vocational training offers quality and varied instruction that is rich in practical experience.
- This is an important and demanding step.
- Start by exploring various sectors, such as health, administration or communications.
- Afterwards, deepen your understanding of the subjects in the sectors that most interest them. For example, if they are attracted to the health sector, read up on careers in nursing care, diagnostic imaging or occupational therapy. Consider visiting the Academos site that permits cyber-mentor exchanges between students and professionals via email.
- There is no magic recipe. Your child needs to live different experiences from which he can discover his interests, abilities and distinct personality traits.
- Help him learn about his talents, activities that inspire him, and the people with whom he feels an affinity.
- Profit from everyday situations to highlight their abilities.
- Give them positive and constructive comments relating to their successes and their challenges for improvement.
- Speaking, listening and observing are useful tools, and will encourage a better understanding of himself, which is one step further in his career planning.
- You DON’T have to know everything about the job market, just encourage your child’s experiences.
- You DON’T need to be an expert in career planning: just have them reflect on their accomplishments and help them discover who they are.
- You DON’T have to make decisions for your child, but rather support him in his learning and experiences.
- You are better off exploring and learning with your child than offering non-validated information and leaving them to rely on their personal experience or intuition.
It is simple! The best cégep is very often the one that interests your child the most. Since it is where they will spend a good deal of time, they must like their courses, the activities, the location, etc. In short, they must want to be there to maintain a good level of motivation, which of course, will positively influence their chances of success.
Is also important to discuss certain factors with your child, including:
- Whether or not they should go to the same cégep as their friends.
- The possibility of attending a distant cégep, which implies moving.
- Their interest in pursuing a sport, artistic activity, etc., during their studies.
It is essential that young people respond in terms of what is best for them, and not according to the expectations of others.
It could seem reassuring to choose a well-paid profession over another, as well as what our inner voice is telling us. But to be comfortable in a career, we must reflect about the person that we are and what we want to be, considering our interests, values and abilities. This is how the “best choice” can be made; by referring to who we are and what we want.