Why teenagers need to stop stressing about choosing a career

In the fast-paced world of today, the concept of a lifelong career has changed and we now have a vast array of opportunities which are constantly changing. As parents guiding our teenagers toward their future, it’s crucial to rethink the traditional notion of choosing one path for life. Instead, we should all be exploring the more liberating idea of developing a diverse skill set.

Careers professionals and many other workers have long realised that the days when selecting a single career path was the norm are long gone. Today, the job market is dynamic and constantly shifting to accommodate technological advancements and societal changes. Opportunities to work part-time, from home, or to have a ‘portfolio’ career (one involving multiple roles or jobs) have grown greatly over the last 20 years. In this ever-changing job market, adaptability is key. Encourage your teenager to embrace this fluidity by focusing on building a repertoire of transferable skills.

Transferable skills, also known as soft skills, are the invaluable abilities that go beyond specific job roles. These include communication, critical thinking, problem-solving, adaptability, and teamwork. Unlike technical skills, which are job-specific and may become outdated, transferable skills are timeless assets that can be applied across various industries and contexts.

Many of the young people we, as careers advisers, talk to are hugely stressed by the prospect of having to ‘choose a career’ and often feel they are too young to be narrowing down all the possibilities to a single focus. I think they will be relieved to know that they don’t have to and that, in many ways, it’s not desirable.

As a parent or carer, you’re in a strong position to be able to encourage your children to explore diverse interests and pursue opportunities that allow them to develop these versatile, transferable skills. Whether it’s through part-time jobs, work experience, volunteering, or extracurricular activities, every experience contributes to their skill set.

Emphasise the importance of lifelong learning; perhaps you can set an example here by showing them things you’re involved in. Encourage them to seek out courses, workshops, and mentoring programmes that align with their interests and goals. Remind them that their journey is not about reaching a destination but about continuously evolving and growing.

By embracing skill diversity, your teenager will be well-equipped to navigate the ever-changing job market with confidence and resilience. As parents, we can empower our teenagers to forge their own path, equipped not with a predetermined career, but with a versatile skill set that opens doors to endless possibilities.