Role of Parents in Career Planning
When it comes to career planning of your child, you, as
a parent, have an important role to play. Your child
will look up to you for advice and guidance and
therefore, you need to be mentally and financially
prepared to help your loved one in this all-important
exercise of his/her life.
Read on to know how you can help your child in a
successful career planning which will help him/her take
the first step towards financial prosperity.
Identifying your child’s interests early
As a parent, you are best positioned to identify the
areas of interest of your child. Every child is
different and so are their interests. Figuring out areas
where your child takes a deep interest goes a long way
in identifying the most suitable career option for
him/her.
For example, if your child has an active interest in
sports, you can zero-in on career prospects in this
domain. On the other hand, if your kid is fascinated by
gadgets and technology, you can help you explore the
career options in this field.
It can be difficult for your child to know where his/her
actual interest lies and this is where your role as a
parent becomes all the more essential. If your child
makes a career in a domain in which he/she has a liking,
there are higher chances of success.
Exploring the career scope available
Once you have identified your child's interest, it's
time to explore the career scope available and tell your
child about the same. The greater the scope, the better
are the chances of finding the role that suits your
child.
Having said that, there can be instances when the scope
is pretty limited. In such a scenario, while you can
convey the same, make sure to keep your child motivated.
Children can feel disappointed if they find that their
interest areas don’t offer ample scope to build a
career, and this is when they need support from their
parents the most. Your encouragement can do wonders for
the confidence of your child.
Evaluating the expenses and being prepared
This is a crucial step in career planning. Once the
scope is decided, the next step is to calculate the cost
regarding the same. Note that while doing so, you must
consider inflation. Also, note that education inflation
is rising at a rapid rate than general inflation and
therefore, you must be financially ready.
At the same time, it’s vital to make sure that your
child's dreams aren’t compromised in your absence. This
is where child insurance policies like Aditya Birla Sun
Life Insurance Child’s Future Assured Plan help you. Not
only it offers assured benefits at key milestones of
your child’s life like education and marriage, among
others but also has an in-built waiver of premium
feature which waives off all the future premiums, in
case of an unfortunate event. This plan makes sure your
child’s requirements are well-taken care of even in your
absence.
Making an informed decision taking over herd mentality
Sometimes, your child may get swayed by peer pressure
and opt for a career that the majority is opting for. In
such situations, it’s essential for you, as a parent, to
help your child make an informed decision and not follow
the herd.
Also, you shouldn’t get attracted to a career that’s
trending and force your child to pursue it. The aim
should be to aid and not dictate.
The final word
During career planning, expose your child to new ideas and perspectives. Also, in an increasingly competitive world starting the process early can help you make changes midway, if required.
For our readers, a few articles
Here are a few guides that try to simplify planning.