Partnering with your parents on your career choice
In prior generations, career choices were driven by compulsion and direction from parents.
Today, 34% of India’s youth is driven by passion and interests, as opposed to money and family advice. So how does one find a balance between pursuing the career of your dreams and having your parents support and guidance? The old school way is reaching out to your parents for advice and following their guidance. In today’s day and age, students have a strong opinion and are more entitled. This is the result of of technology, social media, students’ growing interests in activities apart from academia and a plethora of new age careers!
Given India’s cultural context, involving your parents is respectful and important. Although the job market has changed. Yet, our parents do have a lot of wisdom. Moreover, they know you well. If you can involve them in the right manner, you will be able to maintain a happy support system at home alongside your ambition and career path. This positive environment and support at home is necessary for you to live a meaningful, happy and full life!
- Have a discussion: Parents always have their child’s best interest at heart. There should be a mutual understanding regarding the child’s skills, aptitude and interests. Parents need to support their kids by becoming their mentors and helping them discover their passion. However, if a student has decided on a career that the parents do not approve of, a cordial discussion needs to take place. There needs to be an accepting perspective on both sides. Both you and your parents should try to put across the pros and cons of your respective choices and deal with career selection with utmost love and care. As a son/ daughter, you should try to understand your parents’ standpoint and always know that they only have your best interest in their mind at all times.
- Test and upskill yourself: Aptitude and interests are a mirror to a student’s personality, strengths and weaknesses. Psychometric and aptitude tests make it easier for students to understand their potential. Both students and their parents should also consider the availability and scope of the course leading towards the desired career. Understanding these basic parameters would help the students and their parents come to a common ground on career choices.
- Speak to guides and industry veterans: Quite often, parents are attracted towards a trending career choice for their kids and students get swayed due to peer pressure. Not realizing whether their son/ daughter can cope with the career they have in mind might hamper their child’s overall performance at the firm! Students must be well-informed about the opportunities they have access to. A pros and cons analysis is a good way to make an informed decision if you have several options to choose from! Identify what you value first, and then work accordingly. Outside or professional help of a career counsellor can also be sought to choose the correct path.
Parents are our pillars of strength and it is important to realize that they always want the best for you. They nurture and make us the people we are! Their constant support is necessary in every choice we have to make, especially high-pressure career choices. Don’t forget – when it’s their time to take a step back and retire, it is you that they hope to come back to for support. So give them a say and a voice and ensure you have a mutually respectful relationship as you iron out your future path!
Link to the published article: http://bit.ly/2ncY7kl
