Do you recall the first time someone posed the daunting question, “So… what do you think you want to DO?” Were you even old enough to drive? It’s a common societal expectation that teenagers should be making pivotal life decisions, often with limited real-world experience. How much exposure have they truly had to diverse career paths, salary ranges, job titles, and industries at that age? It’s surprising that we anticipate teenagers to have it all figured out, sometimes even co-signing significant financial commitments based on these nascent choices, and then express frustration when they graduate feeling just as uncertain as when they started.
Is it any wonder that many young individuals simply follow in their parents’ professional footsteps? This path offers a degree of familiarity, built-in mentorship, and perhaps even the promise of an internship or job after completing their education. It’s an appealing prospect! However, it’s also common to encounter clients a few years down the line who express regret over decisions made too early, without proper exploration.
Just like adults navigating career changes, young people deserve the opportunity to explore their options and have a genuine chance at finding a fulfilling profession. So, how can we provide teenagers with the time, insights, and exposure needed to make more informed career choices? It’s not solely about when we ask the career question, but what and how we are asking it. Even as someone working in career advising, I didn’t always have these answers. My own path illustrates how, without access to effective career planning tools and guidance, teenagers often gravitate towards the path of least resistance. Spoiler alert: my initial path was far removed from my current field. While I value the journey that led me here, I wish someone had guided me with a different approach to career planning when I was younger. Let me share my story, followed by actionable tips to help you navigate career planning discussions with the teenagers in your life, leveraging some of the best career planning tools available.
It was 2001.
As a high school sophomore, I was placed in “college prep” classes based on my grades. My English teacher suggested I join the school newspaper. When I inquired why, she simply stated, “…because journalism is something you can major in when you go to college.” That was the moment going to college became a tangible possibility. While aware that peers were discussing college, it hadn’t been on my radar personally. Coming from a blue-collar family with no prior four-year college experience, the entire process was unfamiliar.
Writing was identified as my “obvious strength,” hence the teacher’s suggestion. I joined the newspaper and committed fully. At 15, my understanding was limited, so when a seemingly viable option emerged, I embraced it. The need for backup plans never crossed my mind. I was captivated by Carrie Bradshaw, the columnist from “Sex in the City,” and the movie “Live from Bagdad,” depicting CNN’s coverage of the Persian Gulf War – still a favorite. In 2001, with minimal research capabilities compared to today, my 13” TV and HBO became my primary career advisors.
Exposure, I’ve learned, is incredibly powerful. It can dramatically alter a teenager’s life trajectory, especially when they are empowered to act on it. Some are fortunate to have families with generations of academic and professional guidance; my background was decidedly more “Rec League,” illuminated by television.
Luckily, the University of New Hampshire (UNH), offering a journalism program, was nearby. This became my target. Finances ruled out on-campus living, so commuting was essential. I needed my car, a job, and a streamlined path through UNH. I even invested $800 saved from summer work into a Media & Mass Communications course before my senior year to strengthen my college application essay. I was focused, and fortunately, my sole application to UNH was accepted.
College presented unexpected challenges. A collapsed lung in sophomore year, the loss of my father in junior year, and the tragic death of my childhood friend and roommate in senior year. By my final semester, an internship at a newspaper an hour away was a welcome escape. This internship yielded two key realizations: 1) achieving 100 bylines at a small-town paper requires immense creativity and comfort in engaging with strangers; and 2) a daily newspaper career was definitely not for me. Lesson learned.
After graduating in 2007, I returned home, found an apartment, and began years of payments towards the $65,000 student loan debt accumulated for that BA. Bartending became a financial lifeline. After a year of decompression, I followed a roommate to a temp agency, seeking a full-time position with benefits. Ironically, the agency hired me internally. Over two years, I gained intensive experience in employment psychology, recruiting, sales, and talent operations. While the staffing grind wasn’t my passion, the broader employment sector was. This led to roles in higher education career services, employer branding, and corporate recruiting. Now, over 15 years later, I can’t imagine a more fulfilling career.
Was luck involved? Undoubtedly. My career path required hard work, but serendipity played a significant role. I still love writing, as evidenced here, but now I write about the field I’ve purposefully chosen. No one suggested I could apply my writing skills in this career-focused way, combining my passion with educating and empowering others in a space I genuinely enjoy.
So, returning to our initial question: how should we guide young people in this crucial phase, especially when they contemplate significant, potentially uncertain, and costly next steps? Whether you are a parent, mentor, or a teenager yourself, here are effective ways to reframe the career discussion, incorporating some of the Best Career Planning Tools For Teenagers. The earlier these conversations begin, the better.
Instead of: “What do you want to DO?”
Try: “It’s important to know that most people don’t stay in the same job forever. Career changes are common, with people often shifting fields multiple times throughout their working life. What are some areas you’re interested in exploring first?”
The logic: Emphasizing the fluid nature of careers and the inevitability of change lessens the pressure of a “forever” decision. It frames the initial choice as the first step in a longer journey, not the final destination. This approach encourages exploration and reduces hasty decisions. Career planning tools for exploration include encouraging teens to watch “day in the life of ____” videos on platforms like YouTube. These videos offer real-world insights into various professions and can spark interest and further research. The YouTube algorithm will also naturally suggest related content, creating a valuable career exploration tool.
Instead of: *“*What do you want to major in? You better pick something practical to get a job. Just go into accounting.”
Try: “If you’re unsure about your major, starting as undeclared is a smart option. Undeclared students typically take the same general education courses as everyone else in the first year or two. This gives you more time to explore different majors without falling behind.”
The logic: Removing the immediate pressure to declare a major provides valuable time. Time to mature, gain independence, meet diverse people, and be exposed to a wider range of subjects and fields. Universities often offer hundreds of majors. Freshman year is an immersive experience. Surrounded by peers and advisors passionate about diverse topics, students naturally broaden their horizons. This allows for major selection based on genuine interest and informed exposure, rather than guesswork. Even if majors change again, the decisions are based on experience, not assumptions. Discovering what you don’t want is equally valuable. It’s better to change majors than graduate into a career you dislike. University websites and resources are excellent career planning tools, often detailing various majors, career paths, and alumni stories which can be incredibly insightful for undecided students.
*Instead of:*“You’re going to college. You better start applying.” [Avoid forcing college.]
Try: “How do you feel about college? Is it something you’re interested in exploring, or would you prefer to start working full-time after graduation? There are also interesting ‘gap year’ programs to consider. Whatever you decide, your first year out of high school doesn’t dictate your future. You can always change your mind. It might be tough seeing friends go in different directions, but this is your future, not anyone else’s. Take the time you need.”
The logic: By not pressuring teens into a potentially expensive commitment they are unsure about, you communicate that they have options and that you are a supportive, non-judgmental resource for exploring those options. It’s also crucial to set clear boundaries. Unproductive gap years are not always beneficial. Comparison to peers on social media is a significant factor for teens. Be ready to reinforce their choices if they express doubt. Reflection is healthy and can lead to more decisive future planning. Exploring gap year programs and full-time work options are important parts of career planning, and resources like gapyearassociation.org and careeronestop.org can serve as valuable career planning tools.
For teens considering bypassing college, establishing clear timelines and expectations is essential for both their benefit and yours. A possible discussion framework:
“You have X months to prepare for your next steps. By [X date], you’ll need to either contribute $X in rent or move out. This timeframe is to allow you to save, research, and prepare effectively. You’re becoming an adult, and these are the available paths.”
Parents, while it might be direct, if you prefer your child not living at home rent-free indefinitely, you need to adjust the comfort level. If basic needs and expenses are continuously covered, the incentive to become independent diminishes. It may indicate good parenting that your child sees the advantages of their current situation! However, meaningful change often arises from discomfort, and discomfort can be a powerful motivator. Utilizing career planning tools such as budget planners and independent living checklists can also be beneficial in preparing teenagers for the realities of adulthood and financial responsibility.
