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Helping your teenager make the big decision about what to do after graduating from high school means you are taking on yet another important role in their life.
You’ve helped your child along the way and through many of those important childhood milestones to now helping them take their first steps into adulthood and towards their career future.
Today school leavers have choices with the most common being to enrol in a university degree or further training & education. get a job or take a gap year, which means some time off.
How do you know if your teenager is making the right decision?
You can help your teenager to feel he or she is moving in the right direction if they are to consider how their personality best suits these three options.
It makes sense because your personality is a factor in how you view the world so it will have an affect on not only how you interpret it, but what you find enjoyable, your attitude, and what you value most.
To discover the best after high school choices for your teenager, let’s explore the options together.
- What personality type would be best suited to go straight into Uni out of school?
This teen is confident and strong. He or she loves a challenge especially to get through a minimum of three years at university. It’s important your school leaver knows their why. Why are they studying, and that it’s not to escape or defer finding employment or because they’re eager to please you or family members.
The type of teenager best suited to go straight to university are fiercely independent, self starters and self motivators. He or she is motivated by winning, competition and success. Motivated by the opportunities to gain knowledge. They want to take action and see results so are very goal driven.
These young adults are extremely organised and have a good study routine and have developed good time management skills. They are open to new experiences and eager to meet new people and make new friends.
These school leavers are high achievers, high levels of self-esteem and self-worth and have envisioned a clear career path, knowing their strengths and values so set goals that are realistic and achievable.
- What personality type would be best suited to start working once they complete school?
If your school leaver is not confident about their ability to thrive in a study environment and particularly worry about debt, then seeking employment is a better option. He or she will enjoy the stability of a job, the predictable routines, and the personal and professional interactions with team members.
This personality type places emphasis on working conscientiously and is motivated by the opportunity to show their expertise and quality of work. They are accurate, systematic and cautious.
Looking at it from another perspective, taking a year out of study and working in a field related to their career preferences gives them first-hand industry knowledge, and an edge over their peers.
Your teenager can ease into the first year of study with a small savings buffer rather than scattering their energies with study and part-time employment. Also if they’ve gained employment, the chances are they can drop to part-time or that their employer is able to support their studies if it relates to the same field.
You need to be flexible, responsible, and make quick decisions to value a workplace ethos to enjoy the workforce.
- What personality type would be best suited to take a gap year and go travelling after school?
If your school leaver has any doubts, a gap year can open his or her mind to new possibilities and offer the reassurance that they are on the right career path. Whether that gap year involves travel or volunteering, a gap year is an opportunity to gain some real-world experience before they hit the books or workforce.
If your teen finds they are being influenced by peer or family pressure to do a qualification, then a gap year can be the perfect time to step back and discover what makes their heart sing.
The type of person that would best suit a gap year needs a bit more time to develop their identity and begin to make their own choices. These young adults need time to build their confidence and improve their communication skills. Also making decisions and critical thinking might be areas that need to be acquired in order to be successful in their future career. They would benefit from time consolidating their life experiences through personal reflection.
These teenagers can be lost and confused about creating the life they want to live. If lacking motivation, than a gap year can help develop an appreciation for what they have, and a more worldly view of cultures and customs, inspired by current events and politics, to feel like a global citizen.
Taking a gap year suits those not confident about their ability to thrive in a study environment. It’s a chance to get some practical skills like budgeting, and organising/time management, clarity around career ambitions, and to ignite a sense of curiosity for learning.
Understanding how aspects of your child’s personality can strongly influence a successful transition into study, employment and adult life, can better equip you to helping them move forward, and find their dream career.
Fiona Craig is a work-life balance coach, psychotherapist and published author of “Stuck in a Rut – How to rescue yourself & live your truth” helping men and women get unstuck from their career rut and onto finding their dream career.
If you’d like to learn more about Finding Your Dream Career or have any career questions, contact me on 0405 433 217 or visit my website www.lifebalancecoach.com.au and book in for one of my free 20 minute career discovery calls.
