10 Point Plan to Help Kids Plan and Prepare for a Bright Career
The good part of living in these exciting times is that unlike the older generation, the new generation of kids has a plethora of career options to suit their needs. The challenge, however, is that without a focused approach, and a broad spectrum understanding of skills and knowledge, kids will be left far behind in the competitive space. As parents, we’d hate to burden our kids by making them focus on more and more skills. We need to teach our kids to harness their skills in a way that can bring out the best in them, without diluting their interest.
Here are 10 points parents need to keep in mind in order to ensure their kids have a bright career ahead:
1. Work on Your Academic Records
Get your grades to shine! As a high school student, your grades speak a lot about you. It tells a prospective employer or school whether you are a diligent, hardworking, intelligent candidate. For example, if you choose to apply for higher studies in the UK, your grades will be an important factor in the admissions criteria. UK Universities have entry requirements that you need to meet, which are usually in the form of grades. Some of the top academic universities in India and abroad need high grades for most courses.
2. Focus on Improving Your Subject Knowledge
If you are aspiring towards a certain stream, think if you are hitting the right marks, academically. For instance, if you plan to pursue a career as a zoologist, you should demonstrate good performance in your subjects in related areas. If you choose to go abroad for higher studies, you may need to start planning about taking relevant standardized tests such as start SATs and ACTs, and English proficiency test like TOEFL. You can even join specialized courses to build on your latent skills. These help to build a strong profile which is looked upon favourably by both admissions officers, and potential employers.
3. Build on Extracurricular and Co-curricular activities.
All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy, right? This is the ideal time for you to build an all-round personality. Take part in various activities that are organized by your school. Whatever your activities and interests, find a way to delve into them further. If you are passionate about foreign film, take online courses on film appreciation and volunteer with organizing local film festivals. Or learn a skill that is important for achieving your goal. Example: If your goal is to become a translator, then start learning the foreign language you enjoy the most.
4. Sign Up for Summer Jobs or Internships to Get a Feel of the Workplace.
One of the most effective ways to ensure that you get hands-on experience for your desired goal is to take up a summer job or an internship. Getting an internship at a related company or organization will not only help you explore, but will also help you cement your interest in this sector.
5. Watch and Learn From Motivational Speakers
Some of the most memorable lessons in life come from stories. You will find tons of inspirational speeches online that you can listen or watch. (link ted talk post) Most of the reputed speakers offer valuable nuggets of wisdom from their personal experience. Make it a point to read or watch at least one motivational talk a day. Make your own notes on key takeaways and keep the positivity flowing.
6. Network or Shadow Influential People
Don’t stay out of the loop. A lot of learning takes place when you network with the right kind of people. Meeting up with people is a great way to exchange ideas. Also, shadow influential people who inspire you. They help shape your thoughts and personality. You can glean a lot of information from your peer group too. Network with like-minded friends. Tag friends who share similar interests and organize group activities that build on your profile.
7. Join Student Clubs, Committee, and Organize Events
The best part of student life is to explore your creative and leadership talents. Schools have many opportunities for interschool functions. Don’t miss out on participating in dramas, debates, sports, art and crafts, or performing arts. You may think that these activities don’t contribute to a high-flying career, but the truth is that these activities lay the building blocks to organizational skills, interrelationships, leadership development, and talent management. No book or course can teach you what activities can teach you.
8. Sign up for Summer Camps
An outdoor experience with your school friends builds life skills that are needed throughout your life. Organize camps, cookouts, or social events with your school mates. Learn how to navigate your way outside your school campus. Pick up survival skills by teaming up with your friends in an unknown environment. If you decide to go abroad for higher studies, you can also undertake campus tours of your preferred universities to get a feel of the education in foreign schools.
9. Read, Read, Read!!
I cannot emphasize enough on the benefits of reading. Reading opens your mind to a variety of ideas. Books are the windows of the world. Through books, you don’t just develop insight. You also learn how to think in different ways. Some of the books you could include in your library are: Animal Farm by Orwell, Great Expectations by Charles Dickens, Ruskin Bond’s Short stories, The Prince and the Pauper by Mark Twain, The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald, and The Odyssey by Homer.
10. Introspect on Your Future Goals
Take the time out of your busy schedule to ponder on deeper thoughts. What do you want to be? Why? Where do you see yourself in the future? How will you get there? Once you take a step back and introspect, that will allow you to identify your goals, strengths and preferences and move forward in leaps and bounds.
If you are unable to get any direction, seek a discussion with your family and loved ones. Discussions are the best and most interesting way of exploring any topic. When you are exchanging thoughts and ideas, you get unique insights and different perspectives on the topic, which broadens your horizon and improves your knowledge base.
Need further guidance to plan your future? Reach out to us!
