How do I prepare my child for a changing world with new kinds of jobs?
Imagine your child walking into their first day of work 15 years from now. What skills will they need?
World Studies show that a majority of children entering primary school today will be working in jobs that don’t yet exist. They will need the skills and creativity to thrive in the careers of the future. We can plant the seeds now for a strong future and help students gain skills at home, at school and in programs such as those offered by Orange County United Way.
The organization’s United for Student Success initiative helps prepare students for life after high school, whether college, career, a trade or a combination of pathways. The Youth Career Connections program works to connect students across Orange County with real-life careers. The program brings in professionals from companies like Disneyland Resort and Edison International to conduct mock interviews. It creates e-mentorship connections between seniors and working professionals. It organizes workplace field trips so students can step inside industries. This program gives students access to people, places and experiences that open their eyes to what’s possible.
And that career exposure starts at home. Parents and caregivers are instrumental in shaping their child’s future by creating the conditions for curiosity and healthy risk-taking. They can encourage students as they explore and gain skills, preparing them to launch into the world with confidence. Schools and programs can support them as they prepare for a career — even for those that don’t yet exist.
Here are four ways to help your child build that foundation at home.
1. Ask better questions.
Ask broad questions like, “What problems interest you?” and “What would you love to learn more about?” Open-ended questions encourage thinking and exploration, and signal that you value the process, not just their answer.
2. Normalize exploration.
When a child changes their mind about what they want to do, they’re exploring and developing a sense of identity on their own. Ask what sparked new interests and help them reflect on what they’re discovering.
3. Introduce them to your world.
One of the most powerful things you can do is share your own work with your child. Tell them about a time you had to figure something out without a clear answer. Let them see that most careers involve creativity, judgment and working with others. Let them ask questions.
4. Let them fail so they can grow.
We all want to protect our children from disappointment, but the ability to recover from setbacks is one of the most valuable skills a person can have. Resilience comes from experience. Let them try, struggle and try again.
We can’t predict the jobs of the future, but we can help students build adaptable, transferable skills that will serve them no matter where the world of work goes next.
Sergio Contreras is the executive director of Orange County United Way’s United for Student Success initiative.
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