Is your Child Confused About the Right Career Option After 12th? Here’s How Can You Help Them 

A number of students will be completing their 12th in 2024 and looking forward to their future. But are these students capable of making the right career choice? This is an important question because children need clarification about career option after 12th. 

However, we need to understand that it is challenging for children to choose the right path that fulfils their dreams. Despite having so many options, they need guidance on “what to do” and “how they can do it.” This does not mean forcing your child to do something he or she does not want to do but providing them with the right direction.

Why is there so Much Confusion?

• There are a lot of career options available for students at this time, but not all of them meet their criteria; hence, finding the right path is a difficult task. Moreover, most children are under familial and social pressure to pursue highly prestigious courses, which makes them confused about what interests them.

• Limited knowledge about the career option after 12th standard is also a major reason for not deciding on the right option. Most students and parents know only 7 to 8 options, leaving them with few opportunities. But no worries! In this blog, we will discuss how you can provide career guidance to your children.  

Hobbies and Interests: How can you help them?

You should talk to your children and try to know their interests, such as whether they are interested in sports, academics, or something else. Based on these interests, you can provide them with the right career advice, which leads to a successful career. There are several ways that help to understand the child’s interests-

• Observe their activities, such as what they do the most, like playing any sport, reading books, painting, dancing, etc. It helps you to identify their area of interest.
• “Expand yourself” means doing a good research on new career option after 12th.
• Do not be stuck on some limited options because In “2024”, there are a lot of other options available apart from “engineering,” “law,” “medical”, etc., 
• Encourage them to participate in various activities related to sports, academics, any Art form and so on. This helps them to discover more opportunities that will meet their interests.
• Also, give them some knowledge about professional careers.
• Please do not rush to make any decisions. Give them time to understand things.

Determination is the Key: When it comes to selecting a career option after 12th

As a parent, you should teach your child determination toward their career goals because most children have different mindsets at different ages, which creates a mess in their minds about their career choices. So, teaching them the importance of determination should be your priority.

• Do not stop them from dreaming big, but make them understand that it takes time. Also, they will face many challenges and setbacks while pursuing their dreams.
• Talk with them and try to know what they want to be in the future. It sparks curiosity and excitement in them about their goals.
• Children can’t run a whole league at once, and neither do we, so depending on their goals, you can set some challenges for them, but step by step that feel realistic.
• Appreciate their efforts and the progress they have achieved outside their comfort zone.s
• Prepare them to face any challenge. Develop their minds so that they see challenges as opportunities for growth.
• Making them understand the importance of time management will help them to be disciplined toward their responsibilities.
• When children are young, they develop an interest in many things, so they should be taught how to balance their careers and other activities simultaneously.
• Inspire them to attend the seminars, workshops, classes, and other activities according to their career option after 12th.
• After a parent, a teacher is the one who builds the student’s career, so connect them with mentors who can give them the right career guidance after 12th.

In the end, we recommend not forcing your children to choose anything outside of their interests because, ultimately, it doesn’t benefit anyone. Instead of forcing your dreams on them, talk with them and understand their perspective on life, as this will give you a hint of their interests. Help them make a better career choice with your experience, but do not expect them to work according to your choices. Finally, teach them discipline, which helps them in working towards their goals. There is a famous quote about parenting by ― Ann Landers. 

 “ It is not what you do for your children, but what you have taught them to do for themselves that will make them successful human beings.” 

FAQs

1. How can I help my child choose the right career option after 12th?

You can talk to your children and help them to

• Discuss more about their future plans, such as what they want to do, whether they are already planning to do something, any professions or courses they might be interested in.
• Do research on new courses with them.
• Make a list of options available in education and jobs.
• You can also discuss these ideas with their teachers and mentors.

2. If my child does not have a clear picture of his career, how do I guide him?

This is normal because not every child has a clear vision of their future goals.

• First of all, listen to them but do not judge. This way, they can share more with you.
• Encourage them to participate in various educational and extracurricular activities. Eventually, it will give them a chance to explore multiple fields.
• Tell them the stories of successful people and give them a picture of what success looks like. You can also take the help of some books- 

• You Are a BADASS
• The Success Principles
• The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People: Powerful Lessons in Personal Change
• The Obstacle Is the Way: The Timeless Art of Turning Trials into Triumph

• Last but not least, Do not just leave them thinking that they can’t do anything because they are unable to select the right career. Instead, motivate them to accept the challenges and give their best.

3. What are the main factors that influence a child’s career option after 12th?

There are three main factors which impact on a child’s career-

• Environment around them
• Opportunities
• Personality they possess