Career discussions often seem reserved for older students, teenagers, or young adults preparing to enter the workforce. However, introducing the topic of careers at a younger age can provide essential benefits that help shape children’s futures. Keep reading to find out the reasons why we should talk to young children about careers and find out a few tips on just how to get the conversation started.

Provide Early Exposure to Possibilities

Children are naturally curious, and their minds are like sponges, absorbing everything around them. When we talk to them about different careers, we expose them to a wide range of possibilities they might not have otherwise considered. At a young age, kids may not even know that careers exist beyond the traditional options of doctor, teacher, or firefighter.

Bryce Becker, PhD and Jennifer R. Curry, PhD, NCC at PBS Parents suggest that if your child is interested in certain things outside of the “normal” realm of career possibilities, find a way to relate that to a real life job.

Help to Build Confidence and Curiosity

Discussing careers with young children can help them build confidence in their own abilities. When you expose kids to the idea that people in various careers come from all walks of life, they learn that there is no “one right path” to success. It encourages them to think outside the box and be creative about what they might want to do in the future.

As Dr. Becker and Dr. Curry suggest, if they are curious about and love watching the garbage trucks pass by, start a conversation about recycling or agriculture. Go a step further and even have the create their own recycling program for your family.

Teach Necessary Life Skills Through Career Conversations

When you discuss different careers with children, it’s not just about explaining what people do in their jobs. You’re also teaching them valuable life skills. For example, you can talk about the importance of setting goals, managing time, and developing skills that are useful in any profession. 

These skills can be transferred to other areas of their lives, such as school, sports, and hobbies. You can use specific career examples to teach essential qualities like resilience, teamwork, communication, and problem-solving, which of course, as we all know as adults, are invaluable assets to have in the real-world.

Address Stereotypes and Bias

Conversations about careers also provide an opportunity for parents to address stereotypes and biases that children might be exposed to. By diversifying the careers you discuss with your child, you help break down traditional gender roles and biases related to certain professions. For example, while some children might assume that only men can be engineers or women can only be nurses, open discussions about various career paths can challenge these notions.

How can parents get the career conversation started with their young children? Here are a few tips to make these it happen and have fun while doing it:

Use Everyday Examples: Talk about what you do in your own job and the jobs of people around you. Explain the different tasks, skills, and challenges involved in your work.

Make It Fun: Younger children learn best when they’re having fun. You can turn career exploration into a game by using toys or activities that encourage role-playing. Having a hands-on experience will only bring future careers to life.

Ask Open-Ended Questions: Encourage your child to think about their interests and aspirations by asking open-ended questions such as: “What are your favorite activities?” or “What kinds of things do you like to learn about?”

Expose Them to Different Careers: Take your child on trips to places where they can see different professions in action. Visit museums, farms, factories, or any other location where they can see people working in various fields. You can also read books about careers together or watch TV shows about various careers.

Encourage Curiosity: Support your child’s interests, even if they seem unrelated to traditional careers. If they love animals, encourage them to learn more about veterinary science or animal care. If they love drawing, help them explore careers in graphic design, illustration, or animation. If they love volcanoes, encourage them to be a volcanologist. If they are interested in it, then, there’s probably a career path attached to it!

Talking to young children about careers is an important way to foster their curiosity, creativity, and confidence. Ultimately, these conversations are an investment in their future success, helping them navigate a world full of opportunities with confidence and excitement.

Photo: Kenya Moore Instagram