Welcome

Parents play a huge role in the choices children make when they start looking for a career. They influence the level of education or training that their children achieve; the knowledge they have about work and different occupations; the beliefs and attitudes they have to working; and the motivation they have to succeed.

Most of this is learned unconsciously – children and teenagers absorb the attitudes and expectations of them as they grow up. Some of the key influencers are:

•  The expectations parents have for their children's education and career;
•  The examples they set for their children;
•  The values they show to their family, friends and to society;
•  The opportunities they offer their children to learn and develop; and
•  The kind of parent-child relationship they develop.

To nourish a health and rewarding career for your child, the following factors are worth considering:

• Encourage your children to get the most education possible.
• Strengthen their self-understanding.
• Develop their knowledge about work.
• Teach them decision making skills.
• Value gender equity and cultural diversity.
• Become aware of career resources.
• Help them become skill-oriented.

CAO 2010 Guide

Over the coming weeks we will be updating this new section of CareersPortal with the information and tools needed to help parents guide their children towards a satisfying career.